Dry Eye Disease

Dry Eyes affect millions of people in the United States. It is estimated that as many as 4.88 million Americans over the age of 50 suffer from this uncomfortable condition.

Dry Eye Disease can present in subtle ways at first, but symptoms often worsen over time. Recognizing early warning signs allows us to treat the condition before it becomes more serious.

Symptoms

Everyone experiences dry eye differently because there are so many potential underlying causes.

Common symptoms include:

Burning or stinging: A persistent sensation of heat or irritation.
Gritty or sandy feeling: As though something is stuck in your eye, even when nothing is there.
Redness and inflammation: Eyes that look irritated and bloodshot
Excessive tearing: Reflex tearing occurs when the eyes overproduce watery tears to compensate for dryness.
Light sensitivity: Bright sunlight, headlights, or screens may cause discomfort.
Blurred or fluctuating vision: Vision may clear after blinking but quickly become hazy again.
Contact lens discomfort: Dryness can make contact lens wear painful or impossible.
Tired Eye: Eyes feel tired or fatigued

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.

Causes

Dry Eye Disease results from insufficient tear production, poor tear quality or typically, a combination of the two. A healthy tear film has three layers—oil, water, and mucus. Imbalance in any layer can lead to dryness.

Key risk factors include:

Age & Hormones: Tear production naturally decreases with age; menopause and hormonal changes can accelerate the process.
Environment: Mountain air, low humidity, wind, smoke, and air conditioning all speed tear evaporation.
Screen time: Prolonged computer or phone use reduces blink rate, causing tears to evaporate more quickly.
Medical conditions: Autoimmune disorders (such as Sjögren’s syndrome), diabetes, thyroid disease, and eyelid problems.
Medications: Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and some acne treatments.
Contact lenses or refractive surgery: Long-term contact wear or procedures like LASIK can destabilize the tear film.

Possible causes include:

Water layer insufficiency: The lacrimal gland that produces the aqueous layer(water) that makes up the bulk of your tears may not be functioning properly
Oil layer insufficiency: The oily component of your tear film protects your tears from evaporating between blinks; however, your oil glands may not be functioning adequately
Inflammation: Inflammation is involved with all forms of dry eye, but some people have significant inflammation driven by systemic disease or lifestyle factors
Bacteria: Bacteria formed on the eyelid margin can result in inflammation that disrupts the tearfilm
Mites: Tiny mites known as demodex are commonly found in the eyelid margins and can contribute to inflammation
Eyelid Function: If eyelids do not blink fully or seal completely at night it can contribute to dry eyes
Environment: Screen use and air quality can be a major factor contributing to dry eyes
Systemic: Inflammation driven by autoimmune disease, diet, or lack of sleep can be a major factor in dry eyes
Allergies: Ocular allergies often make dry eyes worse and dry eyes can make your eyes more sensitive to allergens

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.

Diagnosis: Advanced Testing for Precise Treatment

A thorough dry eye work-up is essential to designing an effective plan.  At Black Mountain Family EyeCare, we use state-of-the-art technology to examine every layer of the tear film and the health of the oil glands.

Your visit may include:

Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT): Measures how quickly tears evaporate after a blink.
Meibography: High-resolution imaging of the meibomian glands that produce tear-stabilizing oils.
Ocular Surface Staining: Special dyes reveal areas of dryness or damage on the cornea.
Tear Prism Evaluation: Gauges the overall volume of tears

These painless tests allow us to create a personalized treatment plan rather than relying on trial and error.

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.

Treatment: Comprehensive and Customized Care

Dry Eye Disease rarely has a single cause, which is why treatment must be tailored to each patient.

Our goal is not just symptom relief but long-term restoration of tear film health.

Treatment options may include:

Prescription Medications: Anti-inflammatory eye drops such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast to improve tear production
Nutritional Support: Omega-3 fatty acid supplements to reduce inflammation and improve oil layer quality
Lid Hygiene & Thermal Masks: Daily routines to unclog oil glands and improve tear stability
Punctal Plugs: Tiny, removable inserts that slow tear drainage and keep moisture on the eye longer
Environmental & Lifestyle Adjustments: Increasing indoor humidity, taking screen breaks, adjusting workstation ergonomics, and staying hydrated.
Autologous Blood Serum: Drops made from your own body that reduce inflammation and promote healing
Amniotic Membrane Treatment: Tissue that is placed on the eye to promote stem cell and nerve regeneration
IPL: Opti Light Intense pulse light, a natural treatment to help reduce inflammation, and stabilize the tear film

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.

OptiLight IPL

OptiLight Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) provides a breakthrough solution for improving and maintaining the tear film. This safe, non-invasive treatment targets the underlying inflammation that drives chronic dry eye.

How OptiLight Works:

Pulses of light are applied to the skin just below the eyes.
The light reduces abnormal blood vessels and inflammation that block the meibomian glands.
Glands resume healthy oil production, stabilizing the tear film and reducing evaporation.
Reduces rosacea and turns over dead skin cells, decreasing risks of clogged pores
Eradicated demodex mites

Key benefits:

Quick, in-office sessions (about 15 minutes) with no downtime.
Typically performed as a series of 4 treatments spaced a few weeks apart.
Improves tear quality, reduces dependence on drops, and enhances comfort for months or longer.
Helps maintain meibomian gland function
Positive cosmetic side effects include reduced redness and age spots

OptiLight is the first and only IPL system FDA-approved for dry eye management, making it a trusted and scientifically proven option for patients seeking lasting relief.

Don’t let dry eyes hold you back.

Schedule a comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at Black Mountain Family EyeCare today and experience the comfort of clear, healthy vision.