April 30, 2021

This is such a great question.  

I get this question from my patients daily. This one question tells me a lot about their eyes even before I start my examination. There are several reasons why eyes feel dry and can even hurt in the morning. 
 
Our eyes do not produce tears while we are sleeping so what they have when you close your eyes at night is all you get. If you add in a compromised cornea - the very front surface of the eye - or any number of environmental factors, it can be the perfect storm for eye problems. 
 
There is a myriad of factors that can lead to these symptoms: 

• Allergies 

• Use of a fan 

• Dry air 

• Medications 

• Bacteria on the eyelids 

• Genetic factors that weaken the cornea 

• Previous corneal injury  

• Age (as time marches on, our eyes do not produce the quality or quantity they used to) 

Excessive use of technology, such as laptops, phones, and gaming consoles, has been clinically shown to increase dry eye disease.
 

Did you that we blink 50% less when we are using this type of technology? 

This is a problem causing significant symptoms, but on the bright side, testing, treatment, and outcomes have improved greatly over the past decade. It is exciting for me to treat so many patients, and to halt the dry eye process giving patients more comfortable, symptom-free days. 


We have been using leading-edge technology in our clinic for over 14 years, and our success rate with treating dry eye disease is over 90%. When we combine our excellent treatments with a customized home care treatment plan, success is nearly guaranteed. 


So many eye care providers will just scratch the surface of the problem and give patients artificial tears or moisture drops and hope for the best. That option gives brief symptom relief but does not treat the underlying cause. 


At East Main Vision Clinic, we take the time to care. Because of this, we can determine the root of the problem and begin to make the whole system healthier for sustained, long-term health and comfort. 


We are here to help you feel better today and create an optimal tear system for a healthier tomorrow. Let us be a part of your journey to happy eyes. To learn more about dry eyes, or schedule an appointment at East Main Vision Clinic in Puyallup, Washington, call our office at 253-780-0700.