Dry eyes
Having dry eyes is a common eye condition that can cause fluctuating vision (alternating between blurry and sharp vision), red eyes, and irritation of the eye surface. FYEO does not offer a separate treatment for dry eyes. However, during the preliminary examination, we carefully assess the condition of your eyes, as dry eyes can affect your treatment advice.
What are dry eyes?
Dry eyes occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of the produced tears is not optimal. This can be due to various factors, such as aging, insufficient fluid intake, medication use, or excessive computer use. To maintain the quality of the tear fluid, the so-called tear film, the protective layer on your eyes, must be in good condition.
Tear film
This thin layer over your cornea consists of three layers:
- a bottom mucus layer that adheres to the cornea
- a middle watery layer
- an upper oily layer that prevents the watery layer from evaporating too quickly and keeps your eyes moist
Every time you blink, the oily layer is redistributed over the eye surface. If one of the three layers does not function properly, you may experience dry eyes, and your eye may not be adequately protected against dirt and infections.
Dry Eye Symptoms
Many people suffer from dry eyes, but the symptoms are not always recognized. This is especially seen in people who wear contact lenses, as contact lenses reduce the sensitivity of the cornea. The result: the symptoms are perceived as less severe.
On the other hand, people who have just undergone treatment may experience symptoms more intensely because they pay extra attention to their vision and eye health.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurry and fluctuating vision (after blinking)
- Burning, itching, or stinging sensation
- The feeling that something is in the eye
- Excessive tearing
- Excessive redness
Do you wear contact lenses? Then you may recognize dry eyes by lenses that become less comfortable or do not adhere well throughout the day.
Tips for dry eyes
- Wear glasses instead of lenses; contact lenses can even contribute to the development of dry eyes.
- Avoid dry, warm, or smoky environments and be mindful of air conditioning and heating.
- Improve humidity with a humidifier.
- Drink enough water (1.5 to 2 liters per day).
- Blink more often, especially during focused work or screen use, and take regular breaks.
- Protect your eyes from wind or drafts, for example, while cycling, by wearing well-fitting glasses.
Do dry eyes impact my treatment?
If you suffer from dry eyes, this can affect your treatment advice. Therefore, during the preliminary examination, we thoroughly assess the condition of your eyes. Through various measurements, we gain insight into how many tears you produce and whether the oily layer on the tear film, which prevents evaporation, functions properly.
At FYEO, we prioritize safe and responsible treatment. If it is found during the preliminary examination that you have dry eyes, we take this into account when determining your treatment advice. The presence and severity of dry eyes can influence which form of refractive surgery (such as laser eye surgery or lens implantation) is most suitable for you. This is not about treating dry eyes themselves.
Dry eyes after laser eye surgery or lens implantation
After laser eye surgery or lens implantation, your eyes may be temporarily drier. This is partly due to the treatment itself; the cornea is temporarily weakened by the laser treatment or by the small incisions made for placing the artificial lens. Additionally, the prescribed medication can temporarily disrupt the composition of the tear film. However, this is temporary.
If you experience dry eyes after your treatment at FYEO, we offer support within the aftercare process to alleviate the symptoms and promote recovery. This is not a separate dry-eye treatment but part of the regular aftercare associated with your initial treatment.
Request a preliminary examination
Your preliminary examination is always free and without obligation and includes eye tests and a consultation with the eye specialist.
- Personalized treatment advice tailored to you
- The ophthalmologist from the consultation is the treating ophthalmologist
- All-inclusive price