Is Dry Eye A Chronic Eye Condition?

Dry eye is a common eye condition that can cause many uncomfortable symptoms. In many cases, treatment is needed to reduce the symptoms and help improve your quality of life.

Keep reading to learn more about dry eye, including whether or not it is a chronic eye condition!

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that affects the clear front surface of your eye, known as the cornea. When you have dry eyes, your eyes may not have enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep them moist and healthy.

Tears have the important job of keeping our eyes lubricated and protected. Tears contain special substances that keep the eyes moist, wash away dirt and germs, and even help keep your vision clear and crisp.

Dry eye can cause different symptoms for different people, depending on each individual person and the severity of the condition. These can include feelings of dryness like there’s something gritty or scratchy in your eyes. 

Your eyes might also become red and irritated, and you might have a burning or stinging sensation. Sometimes, dry eye can make your eyes watery, but the tears produced might not be the right kind to keep your eyes comfortable.

Can Dry Eye Be a Chronic Condition?

Dry eye can be a chronic condition, which means it can last for a long time or come back repeatedly. Some people experience dry eye for a short time.

For example, after you spend a few hours in a dry or dusty environment. This is called acute dry eye, and it usually goes away on its own or with simple treatments like using artificial tears.

However, for others, dry eye doesn’t go away easily and may become a chronic problem. It’s essential to recognize that chronic dry eye may require ongoing management and care. 

Although it might not go away completely, there are treatments and strategies available to help alleviate the symptoms and improve the comfort of your eyes.

Can Dry Eye Be Managed or Cured?

Dry eye can be managed effectively, although it may not be entirely cured. The goal of treatment is to alleviate the symptoms, improve the quality of tears, and enhance eye comfort. 

While chronic dry eye may require ongoing management, there are various options available to help you find relief. To manage dry eye, you can try using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to provide moisture and alleviate dryness. 

Your eye care professional may recommend specific types or brands of artificial tears based on your individual needs. Additionally, they might suggest lifestyle modifications such as taking regular breaks from screen time, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, and avoiding dry or windy environments.

In some cases, prescription medications or treatments like punctal plugs, which help retain tears on the eye’s surface, may be recommended. 

When Should I See My Eye Doctor for Dry Eye?

If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, it’s important to visit your eye doctor at Berg Feinfield Vision Correction for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Once diagnosed with dry eye, your eye doctor will evaluate your eyes and learn about your lifestyle to determine the root cause of your symptoms.

This will help them create a treatment plan tailored to your specific circumstance. Many people are able to handle their dry eye symptoms by increasing their use of artificial tears.

However, if you are experiencing eye discomfort, vision changes, or if your dry eye symptoms seem to not improve with at-home treatment, visit your eye doctor.

Are you experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome? Schedule an appointment at Berg Feinfield Vision Correction in Burbank, CA, today!