If you commonly experience stinging, burning, or itchy eyes, you could be suffering from dry eye. According to Tri-State Eye, serving Middletown and Orange County, NY, and Milford, PA, if this condition is chronic, it represents a debilitating disorder. However, many people don’t realize just how serious dry eye can be.

This is what you need to know about the condition:

Definition

While most people think tears only occur in response to crying or irritation, they’re actually being produced all the time. As a means of lubrication, something called a “tear film” is spread over your eyes, allowing tears to stick every time you blink. Dry eye represents a disruption of this process: It occurs when not enough tears are being produced.

Causes

Though it can occur at any age, dry eye occurs most often in older individuals and is usually due to a natural breakdown in tear production that occurs as a result of aging. It’s especially prevalent in postmenopausal women. Certain pharmaceutical medications can also cause the condition, including beta blockers and sleeping pills.

Treatment

In most cases, your eye doctor will recommend the use of over-the-counter eye drops, called artificial tears, to resolve the issue. These drops are used as necessary, usually two to three times a day. An associated approach involves manipulating the tear ducts so they’re better able to retain tears.

Extreme Cases

Some tougher cases call for the use of small silicone pieces, called “lacrimal” plugs, to be inserted into the tear ducts. This is a painless procedure, and the benefits are significant. The most recent versions of these are even more advanced and conform better to the shape of the duct by using the body’s own heat.

If you are suffering from dry eye, vision loss, cataracts, or another eye problem, the team at Tri-State Eye is ready to help. Find out more about the work they do by visiting their website. To make an appointment, simply call (845) 703-2020.