Dry Eye Treatment in Chattanooga
Dry eye occurs when the eye either doesn’t produce enough tears to keep itself hydrated, or when the tears themselves are low quality evaporate too quickly to keep the eye properly lubricated. In the latter case, the eyes may overproduce tears to try to compensate, and this is why some people experiencing dry eye may even experience watery eyes.
Common dry eye symptoms include:
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Itchiness, burning, or irritation
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty driving at night
- Stinging mucus formation
Patients with these symptoms might notice that they worsen throughout the day due to the continuous exposure to irritants that cause them to rub their eyes. This irritation and exposure can put them at risk of corneal infection, ulceration, or scarring. In some rare cases, this may also instigate permanent vision loss.
Treatment typically starts with eye drops that function as artificial tears and give immediate, but temporary, relief. More intense cases may require topical steroid drops to fight inflammation, or possibly blocking the drainage canals to give tears more time on the eye’s surface. Other treatments include slowing tear drainage by a procedure called punctal occlusion or permanently increasing tear production through an innovative eye drop called Restasis.
The causes of dry eye vary, and can include:
- Graves’ disease
- Sjögren’s syndrome diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Hormonal changes brought about by menopause or pregnancy
Dr. Crowder has extensive experience and high-end imaging tech at his disposal to accurately diagnose your case of dry eye and implement effective treatment. Dr. Crowder is passionate about treating chronic eye issues that his patients often “just deal with” because they simply aren’t aware that treatments are available. This passion is what drives him to put his all into helping his patients find