Written by Dr. Matthew Tran


Many people suffer from red and irritated eyes and this could be due to what we, as optometrists call, Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). We first need to ask, “What is dry eye syndrome?” DES is when the tear layer (the very front surface of the eye) is either inadequate or unstable. This may lead to ocular surface discomfort - grittiness, scratchiness, burning - that may go away when we blink or when we use lubricating eye drops. Sometimes this can also lead to fluctuating clarity in our vision as well. Ultimately this can really affect a person’s everyday life. 

What causes this inadequate/unstable tear film though? DES is a multifactorial condition that includes: working in a hot/windy environment, certain medications (blood pressure medications, antihistamines, etc), age (those above 50 are more likely to experience DES), gender (post-menopausal women are affected more than men), and certain systemic conditions like arthritis and Sjogrens.

In a wide number of DES cases, this is due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). We have oil glands along our eyelid margins that helps keep our natural tear film from drying out. When these oil glands are not functioning properly or blocked, this can cause a faster desiccation of the tear film leading to the discomfort our dry eye patients feel.

We, at Los Altos Optometric Group, have a wide variety of Dry Eye Syndrome solutions. It all starts with a dry eye work-up where we will measure the tear film instability of our patients and look for signs of MGD. First and foremost, we would like to clear up the immediate, acute inflammatory processes that DES causes. Oftentimes mild cases can be remedied with over-the-counter preservative free artificial tears, warm compresses, and incorporate foods that foster a healthy tear layer. A diet consisting of Omega 3s (fish, nuts, seeds), Vitamins A (leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes), C (citrus fruits, bananas, blueberries), D (sunshine, yogurt, cheese), and E (almonds, peanuts) has been shown to help relieve symptoms of dry eyes.

More severe cases may need further treatment beyond artificial tears and compresses. We would then pursue other treatments that can help with the chronic nature of dry eye syndrome. These treatments include: prescription medications like Restasis or Xiidra, punctal plugs, Miboflow thermal heating, scleral lenses, and amniotic membranes. Each case is different but our doctors are well versed and trained to help tailor the treatment to the patient.

All in all, dry eyes can range from being a slight inconvenience to an everyday nuisance, but our doctors here have solutions that can help alleviate these symptoms. Come in and schedule your dry eye evaluation!