Dry Eye Specialist in Huntsville
Find relief from dry, itchy, & irritated eyes
Are your eyes constantly dry, itchy, and irritated? Do you find yourself reaching for eye drops throughout the day? You might brush it off as allergies or a change in the weather, but it could be something more serious like dry eye disease.
While artificial tears provide temporary relief, there are more advanced dry eye treatment options that target the underlying causes and offer more effective long-term solutions. At Bailey Cove Eye Care, our dry eye specialists in Huntsville offer comprehensive and effective solutions for dry eye that go beyond eye drops.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease, also known as dry eye syndrome, happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems if left untreated.
The severity of dry eyes is based on the underlying cause. In some cases, dry eye may go away if you stop taking a certain medication or are no longer in a dry, windy environment. However, in many cases, it is a chronic condition that requires ongoing care.
Common symptoms of dry eyes
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Dry, itchy, or gritty eyes
- Excessive tearing as the eyes try to compensate for dryness
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness or irritation
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses comfortably
- Eye fatigue or discomfort, especially after prolonged screen time
- Feeling like there’s something in your eye even when there isn’t
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Difficulty driving at night due to glare or discomfort
Common causes of dry eyes
One of the leading causes of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands located in the eyelids. Their job is to produce oils that help keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, it can lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of oil produced.
Other causes of dry eyes include:
Aging (tear production tends to decrease with time)
Environmental factors like dry or windy conditions
Prolonged screen time leading to reduced blinking
Hormonal changes, especially in women during menopause or pregnancy
Certain medications that can affect tear production
Medical conditions like autoimmune diseases or diabetes
Eye surgeries such as LASIK which can temporarily affect tear production
Allergies that affect the eyes and tear film stability
Vitamin deficiencies, particularly in vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids
Diagnosing dry eyes
At Bailey Cove Eye Care, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to determine the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms. Our experienced team will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to assess your eye health and tear production levels. By identifying the root cause of your dry eyes, we can develop a customized treatment plan that best suits your needs.
Dry eye treatment in Huntsville
The goal of dry eye treatment is to improve your tear quality and restore moisture to your eyes for long-lasting comfort. For most people with mild dry eye symptoms, it’s enough to regularly use artificial tears. However, artificial tears only treat the symptoms and not the underlying cause of dry eyes.
If your dry eye is chronic or severe, our dry eye specialists in Huntsville offer a variety of treatment options beyond over-the-counter drops. Depending on the severity and root cause of your symptoms, we may recommend:
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Prescription eye drops or ointments to reduce inflammation and improve tear production
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Punctal plugs, tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to help retain natural tears on the eye’s surface
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Treating underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to dry eye
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Adjusting medications if your current prescriptions are causing dryness as a side effect
When other treatments are ineffective, we offer advanced treatment options in our dry eye center. One treatment option is amniotic membrane treatment, which involves placing a piece of amniotic membrane on the surface of the eye to promote healing and reduce inflammation. We also offer the following in-office procedures to help reduce or eliminate dry eye symptoms:
BlephEx® Treatment
Systane® iLux® Treatment
Schedule a dry eye evaluation today
If home remedies and over-the-counter eye drops don’t improve your symptoms, or if your symptoms get worse, it may be time to see a professional. It’s possible that an underlying condition is causing your symptoms.
Our eye doctors can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the best treatment options for your specific case. Contact us today or schedule online and get back to seeing clearly and comfortably.