End the Discomfort of Dry Eye Syndrome

Long Minnesota winters and windy summer days can leave many residents suffering from dry eye syndrome, a condition that leads to irritation and discomfort. While dry eyes may seem like a minor inconvenience, and the symptoms may seem to come and go, treating dry eye syndrome with help from an accredited eye doctor is important to your overall eye health and vision.

At Uptown Eye Care, we know how uncomfortable chronic dry eyes can be. We also know how important it is to treat the underlying condition leading to your discomfort.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry Eye Syndrome can cause irritation and discomfort.
{ photo credit: Bert Kaufmann }

According to Medical News Today, dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or simply dry eyes, is an eye disease in which tear film evaporation is high or tear production is low.

Dry eye syndrome impacts the tear film that covers our eyes at all times. Designed to remain stable between each blink, this tear film prevents the eyes from drying out. Dry eye sufferers experience a break down in this tear film, which results in dry spots on the surface of the eye itself.

Dry eye sufferers can experience many symptoms, including:

Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
Feeling of dryness, grittiness and soreness in the eyes
Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
Sensitivity to smoke or wind
Redness of the eyes
Eye fatigue
Photophobia – sensitivity to light
Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
Tearing
Blurred vision – usually worse towards the end of the day
Double vision
Eyelids stick together when waking up

Untreated, dry eye syndrome can lead to a degradation of vision, increased pain or ulceration of the cornea.

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

A number of factors can lead to dry eye syndrome, including age, eye fatigue caused by computer use or television viewing, reduced tear production and others. Knowing the cause of your unique symptoms is one of the most important steps in treating your discomfort.

Treating Dry Eyes

At Uptown Eye Care, Dr. Elaine Happ offers advice on a number of treatment options for dry eye syndrome. Dr. Happ measures tear osmolarity with the Tear Lab, an instrument that helps diagnose, treat, and monitor a patient’s dry eye symptoms. Using the information obtained with the Tear Lab, Dr. Happ offers advice on treatment options, including:

Artificial tears
Specialized contact lenses
Medications
Specialized glasses and eye wear

With the most recent technology, advanced knowledge of dry eye syndrome and a dedication to helping you end your discomfort, Uptown Eye Care works to offer the support you need to understand the cause of your dry eyes and how you seek relief.

Do you suffer from dry or itchy, inflamed eyes? If so, it is important to discuss your discomfort with an accredited dry eye syndrome doctor.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Uptown Eye Care please fill out our Appointment Request Form.