Dry Eye

Dry eye is a problem many people suffer from, and it can impact not just your quality of life but could affect your sight as well. Elias Aliprandis, MD, and Irene Rusu, MD, and the highly experienced team at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge have the expertise in helping people with dry eye, and they use the most innovative approaches to treating the condition and restoring good eye health. Call the office in the Bay Ridge or Sheepshead Bay neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, or book an appointment online today.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a condition that develops when your eyes aren’t making enough tears to stay healthy and sufficiently lubricated. These aren’t the tears you cry when you feel happy or sad, but lubricating tears that contain special oils.

Tears are essential for your eyes. They help to clear dust and particles away that get in your eyes, play an essential role in preventing infection, and help keep your eyes clear. If your eyes don’t have enough tears, the surface can dry out, affecting your vision.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye develops because there’s a problem with tear production and the drainage of excess tears. If you’re not making enough tears, it’s often because of the aging process. Reduction in tear production can also be a symptom of some medical conditions or a side effect of certain medications.

You might be making tears, but they’re of poor quality. They could be lacking in the oils or mucus that make the tears special, so the tears you produce dry out too quickly or don’t coat your eyeball properly. Dry eye can be a chronic problem, especially for older people.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

Symptoms of dry eye include:

• Excessive watering
• Irritation
• Grittiness
• Burning
• Itching
• Blurry vision
  

You might feel as though you have something in your eye a lot of the time but not be able to find the cause.

It’s important to get dry eye treated at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge because if left untreated, the condition can cause damage to your corneas that could affect your sight.

What treatments are there for dry eye?

The experts at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge provide a range of effective treatments for dry eye, including:

• Prescription eye drops
• Prescription ointment
• Warm compresses
• Lid massage
• Eyelid cleaners
• The Tear Care® Meibomian Gland Expression System
• Amniotic membrane grafts
• Punctal plugs
  

As a practice specializing in dry eye, Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge has exceptional expertise in treating the condition. They use the most advanced and up-to-date treatment methods and technologies to relieve their patients from dry eye misery.

Call Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today or schedule a consultation using the online booking form.