Dry Eye Therapy

Are constant watery eyes bothering you? Are frequent fluctuations in your vision often corrected or improved by simply blinking? Do your eyes often burn and ache, especially while reading? If you have any of these symptoms, you may have a common condition known as Dry Eye Syndrome. Novus Clinic in Akron, Ohio provides eye exams and dry eye treatment therapy for patients suffering from dry eye symptoms.
 
Dry Eye causes the eyes to either not produce enough tears, or tears with the proper chemical composition. Dry Eye is commonly associated with the aging process, but can also be caused by both environmental and health factors, including certain types of arthritis, medications and contact lens wear.
 
The most common symptom associated with Dry Eye is watery eyes. Patients frequently ask, “How can my eye be dry if it is constantly watering?” Two types of tears are produced; normal lubricating tears and reflex tears.
 
Reflex tears, mainly comprised of water, are released in response to conditions such as a foreign body to provide irrigation or emotional distress. When the eye is unable to maintain adequate lubrication either through underproduction of proper tears or excessive rapid drainage by the tear ducts, then the eye becomes too dry. The natural response is to increase tear production.
 
Individuals with Dry Eye are unable to keep up with the demand for tear production therefore causing excessive reflex tearing. These tears are not the proper consistency, and make the eye “watery.” Although there is no cure for Dry Eye, there are several effective treatments for patients.
 
Artificial tears, which are commercially manufactured lubricants made to reflect the consistency found in natural tears, are readily available without a prescription. These tears vary in viscosity and duration, and can have varying effects on vision and symptoms. To remedy these variances, several prescription eye-drops containing anti-inflammatory agents are available through eye exams at Novus Clinic in Akron.
 
For patients with severe Dry Eye, punctual occlusion is available at Novus Clinic in Akron. This non-surgical procedure, covered by most insurance plans, involves placing either temporary collagen plugs or permanent silicone plugs to allow natural tears to remain in the eye longer, and reduce the rapid drainage of tears.
 
Symptoms

• Sandy/gritty feeling
• Tearing
• Redness
• Foreign body sensation
• Itching and burning
• Contact lens discomfort
• Fluctuating vision