Dry Eye

Dry eye is one of the most common eye-related conditions, affecting about one in 10 American adults. Though it typically isn’t serious, without proper treatment, it can make daily activities such as driving or looking at screens uncomfortable. At Fremont Eye Center, board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Ho Sun Choi, MD, provides high-quality care for dry eye. To receive treatment for dry eye, make an appointment by calling the Fremont, California, office today or by clicking the online booking feature.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye, also known as dry eye disease, is a condition that occurs when your tears don’t provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Sometimes this happens because the eyes don’t produce enough tears, and other times, it’s because the tears are poor quality.

Regardless, dry eye can cause your eyes to feel uncomfortable and make it challenging to read, use a computer, or do other daily tasks. 

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

Dry eye affects everyone differently and varies in severity. Telltale signs include:

• An itching, burning, or scratching feeling in your eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Sensitivity to light
• Feeling like there’s something stuck in your eyes
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue

Sometimes, dry eye makes it difficult to drive at night or read.

If you regularly experience these or other similar symptoms, and they affect your quality of life or performance at work, don’t wait to make an appointment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent your symptoms from worsening and keep you comfortable. 

How is dry eye diagnosed?

Dr. Choi reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including when you first started experiencing dry eye, if it’s worse during certain activities, and whether you’ve tried to manage it at home.

He then completes a comprehensive eye exam and orders several tests, including:

• A test that measures the volume of your tears
• A test that assesses your tear quality
• A tear osmolarity test, which measures the water content of your tears

These measures help him identify the severity of your dry eye and whether an underlying condition could be contributing.

After confirming your diagnosis, Dr. Choi makes personalized treatment recommendations.

How is dry eye treated?

Treatment for dry eye depends on its severity and how it affects your quality of life. Dr. Choi may suggest:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription eye drops
• Punctal plugs to help keep tears on the surface of your eyes longer
• Medications to reduce eyelid inflammation
• Tear-stimulating medicines
• Nasal spray to increase tear production

If your dry eye is caused by an external factor, such as a particular medication, Dr. Choi may coordinate care with your primary care physician to suggest an alternative that presents fewer side effects. The goal is to find a solution that helps lubricate your eyes so you’re more comfortable. 

To explore treatment options for dry eye, make an appointment at Fremont Eye Center today by calling the office or by clicking the online booking tool.