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Dry Eye Center

Under normal circumstances, the front surface of the eye is protected by a consistent tear film. This film is made up of three different layers, a water layer, a mucus layer and an oil layer. All three of the substances must be present in the right balance to create a properly hydrating, lubricating and nourishing film for the cornea and sclera (“white”) of the eye. Unfortunately, variety of factors or triggers can disturb this delicate balance. These may include:

  • Environment – High winds, extremely dry air or airborne irritants can cause your tear film to evaporate too quickly.
  • Diseases – Certain diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome (an auto-immune disease) can cause chronic dryness of the eyes and mucous membranes. Tear duct blockages can also lead to dry eyes.
  • Medications – Many medications are known to have a drying effect, from blood pressure medicines and birth control pills to antihistamines, can have a drying effect on the tissues, including the eyes.
  • Lifestyle and work habits – If you spend many hours looking at computer monitors or mobile device screens, you don’t blink as frequently as usual. Since blinking triggers tear formation, computer users often suffer from dry eyes.

Talk to Our TearLab Doctor in Lebanon

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome may include redness, pain, fluctuating vision, itching, a feeling of a foreign object in the eye and other discomforts. Oddly enough, it can also cause watery eyes (overcompensation for inadequate oil or mucus in the tear film). Over time, chronically dry eyes may experience permanent corneal scarring or other damage, so you need to get the condition treated by our dry eye doctors in Lebanon. Drs. Hastie and Jones use the TearLab system to evaluate your tear film composition and balance. If the balance is off, our TearLab doctor can recommend eye drops and medications to correct it. If your tear volume is too low, you may need punctal plugs installed to prevent tear drainage. Computer users may need to use eye drops or take more frequent “blinking breaks.”