DRY EYE IS A DISEASE!
 
 Proper diagnosis is the first step toward relief.
 
Dry eye is one of the most under-diagnosed ocular diseases, and yet it is the most common reason why patients go see their eye care professional.

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. It is accompanied by increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface.

Osmolarity
In fact, dry eye disease occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or produce poor quality tears. That's why it's essential you get your tears analyzed by your eye doctor. Only an eye doctor can properly diagnose your problem and treat it appropriately.

We will take a sample of tears from each eye and use the TearLab device to measure osmolarity (the saltiness of your tears). As osmolarity in your tears increase ocular surface cells become damaged. Your doctor will need an amount of tear fluid no larger than the period at the end of this sentence.
 
The Importance of Eye Lubrication:
Tears and Tear Film Good vision starts with a good tear film that must constantly be produced and spread over our eyes to keep them moist.

Tear film:
Bathes, refreshes and protects the surface of the eye from the irritating effects of dirt, dust, and other airborne particles Protects from infection Helps to create a smooth surface so vision stays clear and undistorted Keeps eyes lubricated and comfortable If you have an abnormal or deficient tear film, the quality of your vision may be diminished. Tears are made up of 3 components: lipid, aqueous and mucins. and they must be in balance to create the moisture that keeps our eyes comfortable. If any is missing or damaged, the tear film is compromised and the eye moisture will be depleted causing the eyes to feel dry and irritated. Chronic dry eye can occur when the tear glands don’t produce the right quantity/quality of tears to keep the eyes lubricated and protected.

Chronic Dry Eye:
Blinking spreads the tear film over the eye. If the tear film is inadequate, dry spots can occur causing discomfort and damage to the corneal cells on the surface of the eye. You may not know that you have damaged corneal cells but your eyes may feel dry with a burning sensation. Your eye care expert will be able to see the surface damage during an eye exam. Corneal cells can heal quickly if they are diagnosed early and treated with a dry eye lubricant that protects the cells and allows moisture to remain on the surface longer.
 
Dry Eye can lead to loss of sight due to corneal scarring, so delaying treatment is not recommended! If Dry Eye is left untreated, Dry Eye can progress to a more irritable, troublesome condition called chronic conjunctivitis; and it can cause considerable trouble. When patients experience corneal scarring from Dry Eye, sight may be restored by corneal transplants. However, the original cause of the scarring should be addressed to prevent a recurrence of vision loss.
 
Common Causes of Dry Eye
There are many causes of Dry Eye. These can be attributed to a number of different factors:
  Aging: As we grow older, our eyes produce tears that have less natural oil in them.
  Menopause: Females entering menopause are among the most prone to dry eye.
  Autoimmune Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, thyroid and Sjogren's syndrome can cause inflammation in the lacrimal gland.
  Environment: Excessive heat or air conditioning, fans, dry or windy climates, smoke, airplanes, and lack of sleep can all cause dry eye.
  Work Environment: Outside wind, dust, heat, or smog can cause dry eye. Focusing on a computer screen for extended periods is also a common cause.
  Medications: Numerous medications can cause dry eye. Be sure to tell your eye care expert about all the medications you are taking.
  Eye Medications: Preservatives in artificial tears and anti-glaucoma drops may be toxic to the cells on the surface of the eye and contribute to dry eye.
  Contact Lens Wear: Wearing contact lenses can contribute to dry eye.
 
 
OFFICE HOURS    
Mon
9:00 - 6:00
Tue
9:00 - 5:00
Wed
9:00 - 6:00
Thu
9:00 - 5:00
Fri
8:00 - 4:00
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
2151 Linglestown Rd.
Suite 110
Harrisburg, PA 17110
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(717) 657-5030
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Kirn Family Eye Care 2151 Linglestown Rd. Suite 110 Harrisburg, PA 17110 Phone: (717) 657-5030 Fax: (717) 657-5713

Kirn Family Eye Care is located in Harrisburg, PA and serves the towns of Summerdale, Lemoyne, Camp Hill, Dauphin, Enola, Marysville, New Cumberland, Mechanicsburg, Highspire, Hummelstown, Duncannon, New Buffalo, Etters, Middletown, New Kingstown, Halifax, and Hershey.

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