Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome services offered in Holmdel, NJ

Dry eye is a common and often chronic condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to stay properly lubricated. It can cause symptoms such as burning, stinging, redness, blurred vision, or the sensation of something in your eye. At Holmdel Eye Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, experienced ophthalmologist Ahmed Abdelhady, MD, takes a personalized approach to dry eye care—identifying the underlying cause and tailoring treatment accordingly. Dr. Abdelhady offers a full range of advanced therapies, including prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, in-office treatments, and lifestyle recommendations to provide lasting relief. If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or tired, schedule an evaluation at Holmdel Eye Center in Holmdel, New Jersey to take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome Q & A

What are dry eyes?

Dry eyes are a condition when your eyes don’t receive the moisture they need. It could mean that you don’t produce enough tears. You may also develop dry eyes if your tears are low-quality and evaporate too quickly, so they don’t cover your eye’s surface.

Your tears contain a complex mixture of water, oil, and mucus that nourish your eyes and protect them from infection. Inadequate tear production can lead to both regular discomfort and long-term, serious eye problems.

Signs that you have dry eyes include:

Stinging and burning
Scratchiness
A feeling of something caught in your eye
Redness and irritation
Sensitivity to light
Eye fatigue

One surprising symptom of dry eye syndrome is that your eyes are excessively wet but still feel irritated. Your eyes sometimes respond to dryness by producing lots of watery tears, however they are insufficient and therefore unable to provide quality lubrication.

Don’t ignore dry eyes. Treatment can relieve your symptoms and prevent damage.

What causes dry eyes?

There are many causes of dry eyes. Factors that can affect tear production or quality include:

Aging

It’s normal to produce fewer tears as you get older. Tear production declines starting around age 50, and most people age 65 and older have some degree of dry eyes.

Gender

Women may develop dry eyes due to the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy, birth control, or menopause.

Other eye conditions

It’s common to develop dry eyes if you have irritation and inflammation of the eyelids. You may also develop dry eyes if there’s something wrong with your contact lenses.

Chronic illness

Dry eyes are a symptom of diseases including diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

Screen exposure

If you work on a computer or spend lots of time looking at your smartphone or tablet, you blink less often, which causes your tears to evaporate at a higher rate.

Medication

Certain antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, and blood pressure medications can decrease your tear production.

Environment

Your eyes may dry out in response to wind, smoke, or air conditioning.

Dr. Abdelhady helps pinpoint the cause of your dry eyes to develop a treatment plan.

How are dry eyes treated?

Many cases of dry eyes improve when you address the underlying cause. For example, you may switch to an alternative medication that doesn’t cause dry eyes as a side effect. Or, you may need to change your habits, like remembering to blink when you work on the computer.

You may also need treatment that directly restores moisture to your eyes, especially if your dry eyes are related to aging or a chronic condition. If you have mild dry eyes, you may only need over-the-counter lubricating eye drops.

To treat moderate to severe dry eyes, Dr. Abdelhady offers the latest in medications. These include prescription eye drops, which can reduce the inflammation in your eye and stimulate tear production. He also offers punctal plugs, which are small, sterile devices that he inserts into your tear duct so that tears remain in your eyes for a longer period.

For help treating dry eyes, call Holmdel Eye Center online or request an appointment online today.