Dry eye

Dry Eye Q&A

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common reasons people visit their eye doctor. At Tampa Bay Eye in Lutz, Florida, board-certified ophthalmologist Sara Creekmore, DO, provides advanced therapy for treating dry eyes. If you have symptoms of dry eye syndrome that are interfering with your daily activities, contact the office by phone or request a visit online to make an appointment.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough moisture on the surface of your eyes or you lack quality tears. Common causes of dry eyes include:

• Eyelid problems

• Certain medical treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy and blood pressure medication

• Damage to your tear glands

• Diabetes and other medical conditions

• Aging

• Imbalance of tear composition

• Environmental factors and poor air quality

​​​​Additionally, if your tear glands don’t function properly or produce a poor-quality of tears, you can experience chronic dry eyes. Left untreated, dry eyes can lead to eye infections and damage to the surface of your eyes (corneas).

Dry eyes can make it difficult to read a book, work on a computer, or wear contact lenses without major discomfort.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

If you have dry eye syndrome, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

• Red, itchy eyes

• Burning sensation in your eyes

• Sore eyes

• Eyes that feel heavy

• Blurred vision

• Aching sensations in your eyes

• Foreign body sensation, or feeling of grit in your eyes

• Excessively watery eyes

• Light sensitivity
  
  

Treatment at Tampa Bay Eye can alleviate these symptoms so you can function and perform daily tasks without so much discomfort.