What is "Dry Eye Disease"?

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At Luxe Eye and Wellness, we use advanced digital retinal imaging to evaluate the health of your eyes without the need for traditional dilation drops. Our optometry office in Old Town Alexandria offers Optomap wide angle retinal imaging, which captures a detailed view of the retina in seconds. This technology allows our doctors to screen for retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal tears while minimizing discomfort and avoiding the side effects of dilation. The imaging process lets patients see the back of their eyes just as the doctor does and is safe for children, adults, and pregnant patients seeking comprehensive eye exams in Alexandria VA.

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Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes either don't produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to irritation, discomfort, and other symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye:

  • Dryness or a gritty sensation
  • Redness and irritation
  • Burning or stinging sensations
  • Watery eyes (as a response to dryness)
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred or fluctuating vision
  • Eye fatigue or discomfort, especially after screen use
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Eye symptom chart showing redness, burning, blurred vision, light sensitivity, tearing, foreign body sensation, itchiness, and eyelid asymmetry

Types of Dry Eye Disease:

  • Aqueous-deficient dry eye: The eyes don’t produce enough tears.
  • Evaporative dry eye: Tears evaporate too quickly, often due to blocked glands in the eyelids.

Causes & Risk Factors:

Several factors can contribute to dry eye disease, including:

Treatment Options:

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available, such as:

Give us a call or conveniently schedule an appointment online today—we look forward to caring for your vision!

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