Dry Eye

What is Dry Eye?

The surface of your eye needs protection and nourishment, which is provided by your tears. When this natural shield breaks down or lacks certain characteristics, the front of the eye can become damaged. This can lead to discomfort and decreased vision.

Common symptoms of dry eye include: 

Blurred vision
Burning, itching or redness in the eye
Gritty or scratchy eyes
Sensitivity to light
Watery eyes

Causes

Dry eye can have many causes, including:

Dry home or workplace environments
Prolonged screen usage (computers, television, etc.)
Corneal injuries
Previous eye surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery
Contact lens wear
Eyelids that do not completely close
Constant exposure to extreme airflow or extreme temperatures
Sjögren’s or other autoimmune diseases
Medications used to treat glaucoma and other eye diseases
Improperly functioning tear system

UR Medicine's Treatments for Dry Eye

Since no two patients are the same, UR Medicine’s Flaum Eye Institute offers a variety of therapies tailored to your specific needs. Based on your customized profile, we may recommend a combination of options to help you feel more comfortable and see better. These include:

Behavioral and environmental modifications
Specific recommendations for artificial tear formulas
Medicines to enhance natural tear production
Vitamin and diet strategies to improve natural tear quality
Specialized strategies and devices to reduce evaporation of your natural tears
Involvement of other medical specialists

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine’s Flaum Eye Institute is home to some of the most sophisticated techniques and instruments used to detect the cause of dry eye.

We use unique and advanced equipment to help us measure the quantity and quality of natural tears and assess the surface of your eye. We also partner with doctors in other medical specialties at the University of Rochester Medical Center to create the most accurate profile of your disease and manage other coexisting conditions.

Our doctors are backed by some of the leading research scientists in this field. Additionally, Flaum Eye Institute is recognized internationally as a center for dry eye research.