Do I Have Dry Eyes?

Whether your eyes have changed with age, you’ve worn your contact lenses for too long, or you take certain medications like an antihistamine, your eyes can feel dried out from time to time. However, if you regularly experience discomfort or vision problems due to dry eyes, Sacramento Eye Physician Stephen Wilmarth, M.D., can conduct a full examination and recommend treatment options to alleviate your symptoms.

Dry eyes are caused by an insufficient production of tears, depriving parts of the eye of the necessary amount of moisture. Though the name, of course, identifies the key feature of this disorder as eyes that aren’t sufficiently moist, dry eyes can also be accompanied by other symptoms like:

• Irritation, specifically an itchy or burning sensation in the eyes

• Redness

• Blurry vision

• A tired feeling in the eyes

In addition to precipitating factors like age, illness, medication, and environmental factors, studies show that up to 30 percent of patients experience short term dry eye symptoms after undergoing LASIK surgery. If you’re considering laser vision correction, Dr. Wilmarth will carefully assess the health of your eyes to determine whether or not you’re a suitable candidate for LASIK.

Most patients report that dry eye symptoms after LASIK surgery are mild and last no longer than six months. However, Dr. Wilmarth can recommend alternatives to LASIK surgery if dry eye syndrome might reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.

To find out more about how our Sacramento eye doctor can help you obtain your ideal optical health and function, please contact Wilmarth Eye and Laser Center or call 916-850-3060 today to schedule your initial consultation.