Dry Eyes

You need a steady production of tears to keep your eyes healthy. Dry eyes aren’t just uncomfortable – they can cause lasting damage. Thankfully, they’re easily treatable.

Looking for a solution to your dry eyes near you?

Experienced ophthalmologist Omar Shakir, MD, MBA, can help you find solutions at Coastal Eye in Greenwich, Connecticut. Dr. Shakir targets the underlying cause of your dry eyes and helps restore moisture with punctal plugs and medication. Schedule an appointment online or call our practice today. Are you experiencing small dark shapes or specs drifting across your eyes? Learn more today about these floaters.

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes are a condition when your eyes don’t receive the amount of moisture they need. It could also mean that you don’t produce enough tears. You may also develop dry eyes if your tears are low-quality and evaporate too quickly so they don’t cover your eye’s surface. Your tears contain a complex mixture of water, oil, and mucus that nourish your eyes and protect them from infection. Inadequate tear production can lead to both regular discomfort and long-term, serious eye problems.

Signs that you have dry eyes

One surprising symptom of dry eye syndrome is that your eyes are excessively wet but still feel irritated. Your eyes sometimes respond to dryness by producing lots of watery tears. Other symptoms include:

Stinging and burning
Scratchiness
A feeling of something caught in your eye
Redness and irritation
Sensitivity to light
Eye fatigue

Don’t ignore dry eyes. Treatment can relieve your symptoms and prevent damage.

What causes dry eyes?

There are many causes of dry eyes. Dr. Shakir helps pinpoint the cause of your dry eyes to develop a treatment plan. Factors that can affect tear production or quality include the following.

Aging

It’s normal to produce fewer tears as you get older. Tear production declines around age 50, and most people aged 65 and older have some degree of dry eyes.

Gender

Women may develop dry eyes due to the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy, birth control, or menopause.

Medication

Certain antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, and blood pressure medications can decrease your tear production.

Chronic illness

Dry eyes are a symptom of diseases including diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

Environment

Your eyes may dry out in response to wind, smoke, or air conditioning.

Screen exposure

If you work on a computer or spend lots of time looking at your smartphone or tablet, you blink less often, which causes your tears to evaporate at a higher rate.

Other eye conditions

It’s common to develop dry eyes if you have irritation and inflammation of the eyelids. You may also develop dry eyes if there’s something wrong with your contact lenses.

How are dry eyes treated?

Many cases of dry eyes improve when you address the underlying cause. For example, you may switch to an alternative medication that doesn’t cause dry eyes as a side effect.

Or, you may need to change your habits, like remembering to blink when you work on the computer.

You may also need treatment that directly restores moisture to your eyes, especially if your dry eyes are related to aging or a chronic condition.

If you have mild dry eyes, you may only need over-the-counter lubricating eye drops to experience the relief you seek.

Dr. Shakir offers the latest medications to treat moderate to severe dry eyes. These include prescription eye drops, which can reduce the inflammation in your eye and stimulate tear production. He also offers punctal plugs, which are small, sterile devices that he inserts into your tear duct so that tears remain in your eyes for a longer period.

Why choose Coastal Eye for dry eyes treatment?

Coastal Eye is the ideal place to receive premium eye care in a comfortable, modern office equipped with the latest technologies. Dr. Omar Shakir, a Yale-trained ophthalmologist named one of the "Best Cataract Surgeons in America," leads the team. Our team of friendly professionals provides quality, patient-centered care every step of the way, safely performing surgeries conveniently in-office. For help treating dry eyes, schedule an appointment at Coastal Eye online or over the phone. We serve the greater Connecticut and New York areas in our Greenwich and New Canaan offices.