What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? (DES)
Dry eye syndrome occurs when tear production and drainage are not in balance. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of poor quality. The result? Unpleasant symptoms, including itching, burning, redness, watery eyes, excessive tearing—and even eye pain. Dry eye syndrome can also increase your risk for more serious eye problems like corneal ulcers.
Without treatment or proper medication, DES can worsen over time.
Dry Eye Specialists
As Dry Eye Specialists we work to identify the root cause of your dry eye and customize a treatment plan to give you lasting results. Stop treating the symptom and let us develop a Dry Eye solutions program tailored just for you.
Our Dry Eye Solutions and tools include treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis, LipiFlow®, LipiScan®, our Tear Film Analyzer, Serum Tears, and our Ocular Aesthetics program.
LipiFlow® is an FDA approved device specifically designed to remove blockages and allow your glands to restore proper function. LipiFlow® has been shown to increase gland secretion threefold, on average, with just one treatment.
The process is simple, quick, comfortable and takes just minutes. LipiFlow® treats the problem at the source. Patients may notice results within weeks as their glands naturally begin to generate oils. Relief often lasts between 6-months to one year.
Sometimes it's the power of your own body that works best.
Serum Tears are eye drops made from your own plasma.
It is a simple process and you can get started in just a few hours.
Research shows serum tears are an effective alternative to conventional artificial tear treatments for a variety of dry eye disorders and post surgery recovery situations.
Ask your doctor if Serum Tears are right for you.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Over 80% of dry eye cases are due to blocked oil glands in the eyelids — a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction or evaporative dry eye. There are, however, other factors can also increase your risk of dry eye syndrome including:
Gender – The majority of dry eye sufferers are women. This tends to be caused by hormonal changes, whether through the use of contraceptives, pregnancy or menopause.
Age – There’s a higher prevalence of DES in those over 50 years of age
Environment – Dry wind, dry air and dry climates can evaporate the tears. Home and car heaters, air conditioners, fans and hair dryers also cause tears to evaporate.
Medication – These include antidepressants, decongestants and blood pressure medications.
Auto-immune disorders – Sjogren’s disease and arthritis, among others.
How Do I Know If I Have Dry Eye Syndrome?
Do any of these symptoms seem familiar?
- Gritty, itchy, or stinging eyes
- Excessive tearing and discharge
- Eyes that feel tired or dry
- Increased light sensitivity
- Regularly using eye drops
- Discomfort that worsens as the day progresses
If so, you may have dry eye syndrome. Take our dry eye quiz to find out!
What Others Are Saying About Us
Lasting & Effective Dry Eye Treatment
We individualize our dry eye treatment program to address each patient's root cause.
Book a consultation with one of our eye doctors, who can prescribe a customized treatment plan to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable all day, every day.
Do You Have More Questions About Dry Eyes? | FAQ
Is there a cure for dry eye syndrome?
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for dry eye syndrome. However, there are a number of effective ways to prevent or treat symptoms. Make an appointment today with our trusted optometrists in Kirkland for evaluation and personalized treatment options.
What is the main cause of dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome commonly occurs because your eyes are not producing enough tears, or the tears being produced don’t contain the proper components to keep the eyes hydrated. An eye doctor can perform tests to determine what is causing your dry eyes, and how to treat the symptoms.
How do I prevent dry eye symptoms?
Many factors including allergies, hormones and the weather can cause dry eye symptoms such as dry, red, itchy and gritty-feeling eyes. Tips to prevent these symptoms include:
- Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help produce oils in your tears that slow evaporation.
- Following the ”20-20-20 rule” when working on computers or screens. This means looking away from the screen every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, at something at least 20 feet away, to give your eyes a break from the strain of working on digital screens.
- Position air vents, fans and heaters so that they don’t blow directly into your eyes, drying them out.
Can dry eye syndrome cause blindness?
Yes. In extreme circumstances, dry eyes can result in scratches on the eye that leaves scars on the cornea. This scarring can make it difficult for the eye to focus incoming light, obscuring vision. This may eventually result in permanent vision damage or blindness if not treated properly.
