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Dry Eye Cincinnati

Dr. David Howard, physician for dry eye located in Cincinnati Ohio, provides individual attention to your eye care and uses the most advanced dry eye treatment technology. Contact Anderson Hills EyeCare & Optical today to schedule a dry eye consultation.

DRY EYE

What is dry eye?

Some people do not produce enough tears to keep the eye healthy and comfortable. This is known as dry eye. The doctors at Anderson Hills Eye Center, located in Cincinnati, specialize in the detection and treatment of dry eye.

Tears are produced by two different methods. One method produces tears at a slow, steady rate and is responsible for normal eye lubrication. The other method produces large quantities of tears in response to eye irritation or emotions.

Tears that lubricate are constantly produced by a healthy eye. Excessive tears occur when the eye is irritated by a foreign body, dryness or when a person cries.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The usual symptoms include:

stinging or burning eyes
scratchiness
stringy mucus in or around the eyes
excessive eye irritation from smoke or wind
excess tearing
difficulty wearing contact lenses

Excess tearing from "dry eye" sounds illogical, but if the tears responsible for maintenance lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. When the eye is irritated, the lacrimal gland produces a large volume of tears that overwhelm the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eye.

What causes dry eye?

Tear production normally decreases as we age. Although dry eye can occur in both men and women at any age, women are most often affected. This is especially true after menopause.

Dry eye can also be associated with other problems. For example, people with dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis are said to have Sjogren's syndrome.

A wide variety of common medications-prescription and over-the-counter-can cause dry eye by reducing tear secretion. Be sure to tell your ophthalmologist at Anderson-Hills Eye Center the names of all the medications you are taking, especially if you are using:

diurectics
beta-blockers
antihistamines
sleeping pills
medications for "nerves"
pain relievers.

Since these medications are often necessary, the dry eye condition may have to be tolerated or treated with "artificial tears."

People with dry eye are often more prone to the toxic side effects of eye medications, including artificial tears. For example, the preservatives in certain eyedrops and artificial tear preparations can irritate the eye. Special preservative-free artificial tears may be required.

How is dry eye diagnosed?

An ophthalmologist is usually able to diagnose dry eye by examining the eyes. Sometimes tests that measure tear production may be necessary. One test, called the Schirmer tear test, involves placing filter-paper strips under the lower eyelids to measure the rate of tear production under various conditions. Another uses a diagnostic drop (flourescein or Rose Bengal) to look for certain patterns of dryness on the surface of the eye.

How is dry eye treated?

Adding Tears
Eyedrops called artificial tears are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture.

Artificial tears are available without a prescription. There are many brands on the market, so you may want to try several to find the one you like best.

Preservative-free eyedrops are available if you are sensitive to the preservatives in artificial tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than every two hours, preservative-free brands may be better for you.

You can use the tears as often as necessary-once or twice a day or as often as several times an hour.

Other more advanced treatments may be necessary for severe dry eyes.

Physician Dr. David Howard, located in Cincinnati, is dedicated to providing his patients with outstanding, compassionate care while continuing a long tradition of surgical excellence