Identifying the Different Kinds of Dry Eye

Dry eye is a disease that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. It can occur alone or as part of another medical condition. If you are experiencing vision issues, your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, can help.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Here is what you might be experiencing if you have dry eye.

• Itching, burning, or stinging eyes.
• Light sensitivity.
• Watery eyes with excess tearing,
• Blurred vision or other vision changes.
• Eye mucus.

Identifying the Different Kinds of Dry Eye

There are several different kinds of dry eye in Champaign, IL. Most people think dry eye is when their eyes don’t make enough tears, but that’s not all there is to it.

• Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye

Aqueous deficient dry eye is the kind where your eyes don’t make enough tears. This deficiency is due to reduced aqueous production from your lacrimal glands. In addition, some autoimmune conditions cause inflammation in the lacrimal glands, preventing them from producing enough aqueous tears.

• Evaporative Dry Eye

Evaporative dry eye occurs when tears evaporate too quickly, as the name implies. This type of dry eye is usually caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, which occurs when the glands in your eyelids don’t work properly.

• Mixed Dry Eye

Mixed dry eye occurs when people have a combination of aqueous tear deficiency and tear instability. This is especially uncomfortable for those people because their eyes don’t produce enough tears and they have tear instability simultaneously.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Champaign, IL?

Never put off getting eye issues diagnosed! The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can get your life back to normal. Contact Champaign Eye Professionals today to schedule a dry eye evaluation.