Dry Eye Treatment

If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or irritated, you're not alone. Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people and can make everyday tasks uncomfortable and frustrating. At Texas State Optical in Cedar Park, TX, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye with a personalized approach that gets to the root of the problem.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. Tears are essential for maintaining the health of your eye’s surface and ensuring clear, comfortable vision. When tear production or stability is compromised, you may experience a range of irritating symptoms.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can result from various factors, often working together to disrupt your tear film. Common causes include:

• Aging: Tear production naturally decreases with age, especially after 50.

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): When the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked, tears evaporate too quickly.

• Blepharitis: Inflammation along the eyelid margin can interfere with healthy tear production.

• Eye surgery: Procedures like LASIK or cataract surgery can temporarily or permanently affect tear film stability.

• Contact lens use: Wearing contacts can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your eyes and disrupt tear distribution.

• Allergies: Environmental allergens can inflame the eyes and contribute to dryness.

• Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications are known to reduce tear production.

• Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders can affect tear glands.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye can present differently for each person, but common symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging sensation

• Redness

• Blurred vision

• Sensitivity to light

• Feeling like there’s something in your eye

• Eye fatigue

• Watery eyes

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms consistently, it’s important to schedule an evaluation.

Diagnosing Dry Eye

At Texas State Optical, we go beyond simply relieving the symptoms of dry eye. Our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your discomfort so we can develop a treatment plan that’s personalized and effective for your unique needs.

During a comprehensive dry eye evaluation, we perform a series of tests to assess key aspects of your eye health. These may include measuring tear volume and quality, evaluating Meibomian gland function, examining the ocular surface, and checking for eyelid inflammation or irregularities.

In addition to clinical testing, we take the time to review your lifestyle, medical history, and any medications you’re taking to uncover potential contributing factors. By understanding the full picture and identifying the root cause, we can recommend targeted treatments that lead to lasting relief.

Dry Eye Treatment Options

Dry eye treatments are most effective when tailored to the specific cause. Your treatment plan may include:

• Eyelid hygiene: Warm compresses and lid scrubs to manage blepharitis and MGD.

• Prescription eye drops: Medicated drops to reduce inflammation and promote tear production.

• Nutritional supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve tear quality.

• Scleral lenses: Special contact lenses that create a protective moisture reservoir over the eye.

• Punctal plugs: Tiny devices inserted into tear ducts to retain natural tears on the eye’s surface.

• Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT): A gentle treatment that reduces inflammation and helps restore normal gland function.

• Red Light Therapy: Stimulates cellular activity to improve eyelid gland performance and reduce dry eye symptoms.
  
  

Our goal is to relieve your discomfort while addressing the cause of your dry eye, not just masking symptoms.

Comprehensive Dry Eye Care in Cedar Park, TX

At Texas State Optical, we’re committed to helping you find lasting relief through customized dry eye treatment. Our advanced diagnostic tools and range of treatment options allow us to address dry eye at its source.

If you’re tired of dealing with dry, irritated eyes, schedule a dry eye evaluation with our optometrists today and discover what a difference personalized care can make