Dry Eye

Dry eyes are common in older adults.  It is a common condition and often chronic, caused when your tears don’t provide an adequate amount of lubrication for the eye.  It is possible that you don’t produce enough tears or the quality of the tear is poor. Dry eyes become a problem because well-lubricated eyes are necessary for clear vision and to keep the surface of the eye healthy.  Tears keep the surface of the eye clear, wash away foreign bodies, and prevent infections.   

Glands around the eyelids produce the tears, and then, they are spread across the front of the eye when you blink.  Tiny drainage ducts in the corners of the eye allow excess tears to drain into the back of the nose.  

Dry eyes are a sign that tear production and tear drainage are out of sync.  

Riding in on a bike or in an airplane, being in air-conditioning, or staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods can dry your eyes out.  Dry climates and wind can reduce the amount of tears produced, as well as age and certain medications. 

If you are suffering from chronic dry eyes, make an appointment at Albright Eyecare to discuss a treatment plan and possible lifestyle modifications to improve your symptoms.