Dry Eye
Dry Eye Overview
Are you experiencing a scratchy sensation or the feeling like you have something in your eye? Or maybe you are having intermittent stinging or burning, blurred vision, episodes of excess tearing that follow periods of dryness, discharge, pain, or redness in your eye? You may have Dry Eye Syndrome.
At the Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado, we are very experienced with the advanced diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome and you can expect the highest level of care and expertise.
Our Dry Eye Specialist: Dr. Liz Erley, O.D. at our Boulder location.
Dry Eye Videos
How to Say Bye to Dry Eye
What is Blepharitis?
Dry Eye FAQ's
Why does dry eye occur?
Dry eye occurs when the quantity and/or quality of tears fails to keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated. Dry eye affects millions of adults in the U.S. and an increasing number of younger patients as we blink up to 35% less frequently while looking at our computers or phones. Dry eye can occur when basal tear production decreases, evaporation increases, tear composition is imbalanced or the glands in our eyelids that produce the oily portion of our tears are compromised.
What are tears and how do they relate to dry eye?
In a healthy eye, tears are responsible for the perfectly smooth ocular surface, which allows clear vision. Tears also clean and lubricate the eye. Every time we blink, a fresh layer of tears, called the tear film, spreads over the eye. The tear film is important for keeping the eye moist and comfortable. When the eye stops producing enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly, the health of the eye and vision are compromised.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
To measure the quality & stability of the tear film, we noninvasively measure the tear film breakup time in less than 30 seconds.
