Dry eye disease, or dry eye syndrome, is a common condition that occurs when a person's tears don't adequately moisturise the eyes. Inadequate or unstable tears can occur if you don't produce enough tears or the tears you produce are 'poor-quality'. As a result, you may develop dry eyes with accompanying symptoms, such as eye strain, eye fatigue and irritation.
Dry eyes affect many of our Gold Coast and Tweed patients of all ages, sometimes needlessly suffering from the symptoms and discomfort they cause. At Envision Optical, we have a special interest in diagnosing and treating dry eye and are here to help relieve your dry eyes so you can enjoy healthy eyes and clearer vision.
What Can Cause Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable and affect a person's ability to work, study or enjoy their daily activities.
Many different things may cause dry eyes:
- Tear film dysfunction. Tears are important for healthy, comfortable eyes, and part of that is our tear film. The tear film has three layers of fatty oils, mucus and aqueous fluid to keep the eye's surface smooth, clear and moisturised.
- Inadequate tear production. If there aren't enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly, you can develop dry eyes.
- Medical conditions. People with certain medical conditions––such as Sjogren's syndrome, lupus and thyroid disorders––can have dry eyes.
- Medications. Dry eyes are a common side effect of medications like antihistamines, decongestants and antidepressants.
- Eye damage. Nerve sensitivity or damage to the eye can cause dry eyes.
- Natural aging. The natural aging process can lead to dry eyes, especially during menopause.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eyes 
If you have any of the symptoms of dry eyes, we can assist you at our Tweed Heads and Burleigh Waters eye clinics:
- Burning, stinging or scratchy eyes
- Mucus around the eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Red eyes
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Eye fatigue
- Blurred vision
How Can Dry Eye Be Treated?
Dry eyes can disrupt our lives and cause chronic irritation and discomfort. At our Envision clinics, we offer various treatments for dry eyes that we will recommend based on your individual diagnosis and needs.
Dry eye treatments may include:
- IPL and LipiFlow therapy
- Eyedrops or artificial tears
- Prescription medications
- Lifestyle changes (e.g., avoid smoking, limit screen time, nutrition)
- Tear duct plugs
- Surgery
If any of these treatments require a specialist consultation, we will arrange a referral for you.
When it comes to dry eyes, getting the right advice is crucial - dry eyes can be a frustrating and uncomfortable condition, but there are several effective treatment options available. We can assess your condition, determine the underlying causes, and recommend appropriate treatments, with options out there that can help alleviate your symptoms and get you feeling comfortable and confident once again. Whatever your needs may be, our experienced Envision optometrists are here to assist. We invite you to contact the team at Burleigh Waters or Tweed to arrange your dry eye assessment today!
We look forward to seeing you soon!