Dry Eye Specialist

Cirino Eye Center

Anthony J Cirino, D.O.

Ophthalmology & Cataract Surgeon & Board-Certified Comprehensive Ophthalmologist located in Brunswick, OH

Your eyes need tears to stay comfortable and moist. Without enough tears, eyes get dry, itchy, irritated, and red. Chronic dry eye develops when your eyes don’t make high-quality tears or don’t make tears at all. At Cirino Eye Center in Brunswick, Ohio, Anthony Cirino, DO, regularly sees patients with dry eye, helping them find a treatment that relieves their discomfort. Make an appointment online or by phone to get started.

Dry Eye Q & A

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which your tears don’t keep the surface of your eyes properly lubricated. 

Tears play an important role in eye health. They coat your eye to keep it from drying out, protect your eye from irritants, and work to heal surface abrasions and damage.

You may suffer from dry eye if your eyes don’t make enough tears or if your tears are poor-quality. Treatment often involves supplementing your natural tear production to keep your eyes moist and protected.

What are the symptoms of chronic dry eye?

Your eyes can dry out if you’re staring at a computer for a long time, in an airplane, or while you’re riding a bike. Chronic dry eye is a condition that doesn’t go away when you blink or change activities. 

Symptoms of dry eye include:

  • Redness
  • Stinging or burning
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eye
  • Stringy mucus around your eyes
  • Inability to wear contact lenses
  • Blurry vision
  • Watery eyes

Dry eye usually affects both of your eyes. If you experience long-term discomfort, make an appointment with Dr. Cirino. 

How is dry eye treated?

If Dr. Cirino diagnoses you with chronic dry eye, he often begins by recommending the use of artificial tears. Artificial tear eye drops can supplement your natural tears to keep your eyes comfortable. You can use artificial tears whenever your eyes feel dry or uncomfortable.

In some cases, adding artificial tears may not be enough. Dr. Cirino can block one or more tear ducts to help your natural tears stay in your eyes longer. He can also prescribe eye drops to increase natural tear production.

Lifestyle changes can improve symptoms of dry eye. Dr. Cirino can recommend simple changes, such as taking breaks when working at the computer, increasing humidity levels in your home, and wearing sunglasses outside.

Sometimes, dry eye can be a side effect of another condition, like scarring on the surface of your eye. Dr. Cirino may recommend additional treatment, such as pterygium surgery or ocular surface reconstruction to improve eye health.

You don’t have to live with uncomfortable, dry eyes. Make an appointment at Cirino Eye Center by calling the office or by booking online.