Dry Eye Conditions

• Persistently gritty
• Itchy
• Burning
• Pain
• Tired eyes

These symptoms worsen as the day goes on. Stringy mucus may appear in or around the eyes. Usually patients who have dry eye usually are aware of their condition. Patients with the most severe disease are at increased risk of developing corneal infection, scarring or ulceration. These conditions can cause permanent vision loss, so it is important to seek professional help if you have severe symptoms of dry eye.

Dry eye does not frequently cause blindness, but as it is such an uncomfortable condition, it is a common reason for seeking assistance. Furthermore, dry eye syndrome can in additiona to discomfort, can impair vision with a decreased ability to perform activities that require visual attention, such as reading and driving a car.

Book a Consultation to have your Dry Eye evaluated at Centre for Sight.

Centre for Sight offers a fully comprehensive dry eye consultation inclusive of dry testing. Your consultant will perform a thorough eye examination and provide an explanation for the reasons why the eye is dry as well offer a course of treatment. Please note dry eye is often a chronic condition and can take a while before there is any perceived improvement.

Severe dry eye is sometimes caused by Sjögren’s syndrome, which is an uncommon chronic, multi-organ, autoimmune disorder that also results in dry mouth and often arthritis. More information about this disease is available at: www.sjogrens.org. You should be seen regularly by your doctor and ophthalmologist if you have Sjogren’s syndrome.

Several tests for Dry Eye are used by your doctor. The meniscus of tears, lid wiper action and distribution along with objective tests below provide information. Not all tests are always performed and are done where appropriate depending on a) Symptoms and b) clinical findings.

For information on treating Dry EYE – please go to our Dry Eye Treatment page

Laser eye surgery, especially traditional Lasik can aggravate dry eye. Although Centre for Sight uses the IntraLASE laser for Lasik, which reduces the duration and severity of dry eye, patients with dry eye are first treated for their specific cause. Once corrected they can undergo laser vision correction. If they cannot be corrected, Laser eye surgery will not be recommended and other options may be considered.

Centre for Sight doctors are all fellowship trained in Cornea and the Anterior Segment. In the course of their usual practice, they are often asked to see patients for second opinions and to manage dry eye. You can be confident that you will be evaluated by doctors with expertise in this area at the time of your consultation.