Do your eyes often feel dry, irritated, or itchy? These could be signs of dry eye syndrome, one of the most common eye conditions worldwide. Research suggests it affects anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of the population, with higher rates among adults over 40 and women in particular.
Dry eye occurs when the eyes fail to produce an adequate amount of tears, when the tear film lacks the right balance of components, or when tears evaporate too rapidly from the surface of the eye. This imbalance can result in ongoing discomfort and vision difficulties. If left untreated, the condition may lead to serious complications, including eye infections, corneal scarring, or permanent vision loss.
The symptoms of dry eye can differ from person to person, but the most common symptoms include:
Your eye doctor at Georgia Eye Associates may recommend a variety of treatments for dry eye depending on the cause and severity of your condition. Often, lifestyle changes such as incorporating more nutrients into your diet, avoiding certain environments, and using artificial tears to lubricate your eyes can help reduce symptoms.
However, if these changes aren’t enough, your eye doctor may prescribe you medicated eye drops, gels, or ointments. They may also suggest in-office treatments such as iLux, BlephEx, Prokera, or punctal plugs to treat advanced dry eye and provide long-term relief.
Jeremy Chartash, O.D., is an optometrist at our Buckhead, Lawrenceville, and Tucker locations, specializing in dry eye, ocular disease, and refractive surgery. He has more than 12 years of ophthalmic experience throughout the Sandy Springs, Newnan, Decatur, and Morrow areas of Georgia.
While a student at Nova Southeastern University, he served as the College of Optometry SGA Vice President and received the Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Scholarship in recognition of his leadership skills and commitment to public health for optometrists. After graduating, he served on a panel for the Georgia Optometric Association and, in 2016, completed a cornea, contact lens, and refractive technology fellowship at the American Academy of Optometry.
