Diagnostic

Dealing with dry eye symptoms can be a nuisance and interfere with daily life. You shouldnt have to suffer alone. At Eye Society Boutique, Dr Ramanathan and her staff believe in overall eye wellness and treating the underlying causes of dry eye. When symptoms occur, we recommend scheduling a dry eye evaluation to understand the root causes of your dry eye. The evaluation begins with a lifestyle assessment and overall health history. Our goal is to understand what the problem is and how it's impacting your life.

Dry eyes can develop for many reasons, including:

• Age. Dry eyes are a part of the natural aging process. The majority of people over age 65 experience some symptoms of dry eyes.
  
  

• Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives and menopause.
  
  

• Medications. Certain medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
  
  

• Medical conditions. People with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems are more likely to have symptoms of dry eyes. Also, problems with inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, or the inward or outward turning of eyelids can cause dry eyes to develop.
  
  

• Environmental conditions. Exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates can increase tear evaporation resulting in dry eye symptoms. Failure to blink regularly, such as when staring at a computer screen for long periods of time, can also contribute to drying of the eyes.
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• Other factors. Long-term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry eyes. Refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, can decrease tear production and contribute to dry eyes.