Do your eyes fell dry, gritty, burning?  Chronic dry eye is a disease with potential consequences for your eyes.

Symptoms of CDE can be temporary or recurring limiting activities such as reading, driving at night, watching TV, wearing contacts, or computer time.  Symptoms can include:

  • Dryness
  • An itchy sensation
  • A stinging burning sensation
  • A gritty or sandy sensation
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Excessive tearing
  • Blurry vision or difficulty seeing at night

Potential causes are the aging process, hormonal changes, inflammation, diabetes, glaucoma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, medical treatments such as antihistamines, HRT, and environmental factors – pollen, dry air and wind, dust or smoke, decreased blinking from overworking on a computer.

Some treatment options include:

  • Artificial tears or over the counter drops that temporarily provide moisture to the eye and can relieve dry eye symptoms.
  • Tear duct  or punctal plugs are silicone plugs that can be inserted by an eye doctor to close ducts that drain tears out of the eye.

CDE may have potential consequences for your eyes – damage to your eye’s surface, increased risk of eye infections, and effects on your vision.