Home
About Us
Meet Your Eye Doctor
Vision Insurance
Notice of HIPAA Privacy Practices
Internal Access Only
Email
Patient Forms
Tools
Stats
Contact US
/ Maps
Inter-active Maps
Phone / Email / Contact Us
Refer a Friend!
Eyewear
Gallery
Preferred Designers Frames & Designer Sunglasses
Test Your EyeQ
Frame Shape Selection Guide
Eyeglass Guide 2.0
Computer Vision Syndrome
About Sports Vision
Sport Frames and Lens Chart
Asian Fit
Recommended Lenses
KODAK
Kodak Precise Short Progressive
Kodak Unique Progressive
Kodak Precise Progressive
Shamir
Shamir Autograph II
Shamir Attitude
Shamir Genesis
Shamir Office
Shamir Piccolo
Shamir Relax™
Shamir Golf™
Shamir FirstPAL™
Varilux
Varilux DRx Lenses
Varilux Physio Enhanced
Varilux Comfort Enhanced
Varilux S Series Lenses
Varilux Physio 360 - Progressive Lenses
Varilux Ellipse 360 - Progressive Lens for Small Frames
Varilux Liberty - Progressive Lens for Bi/Trifocal wearers
Varilux Panamic 360 - Progressive Lenses
Varilux Comfort 360 - Progressive Lenses
Varilux Comfort - Progressive Lenses
Varilux Progressive (Invisible) Lenses
Varilux Ipseo
Definity Lenses
emPower - electronic lenses
Lens Guide
1.74 Thin & Lite High Index Lens
Transitions (Lenses That Change Colors)
Transitions ExtrActive
Optifog
Polarized Lenses - Glare reducing lenses
Xperio Polarized Lenses
Crizal Anti-reflective Treatment
Crizal Avancé™ with Scotchguard™
Crizal Sapphire™
Crizal SunShield
Kodak Clean'N'Clear
Shamir Glacier Plus™
Driverwear
Safety Glasses
Industrial Safety
Sports Safety
About Sports Vision
Sport Lens Chart
FAQ's Eyeglasses
Eye
Conditions
Cataracts
What is a Cataract?
Is Cataract surgery right for me?
The Cataract Procedure
What to Expect; Before, During, & After
Cataracts FAQ's
Diabetic Retinopathy
Detached Retina
Dry Eye
Dry Eye Treatment
Floaters & Flashes
Amblyopia or "Lazy Eye"
Strabismus
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration)
Glaucoma
Ocular Allergies
Computer Vision Syndrome
Low Vision
Myopia (Nearsighted)
Hyperopia (Farsighted)
Keratoconus
Astigmatism
Presbyopia
Blepharitis
Nystagmus
Contact
Lenses
Types of Contacts Lens
Lens Care & Handling Instructions
Soft Lens
Acuvue Brand
General Information
1•DAY Acuvue
1•DAY Acuvue MOIST
1•DAY Acuvue MOIST for Astigmatism
1•DAY Acuvue TruEye
®
Acuvue 2
Acuvue 2 Colours
Acuvue Advance
Acuvue Advanced for Astigmatism
Acuvue Oasys
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism
Bausch & Lomb
Boston MultiVision
Optima
®
PureVision
®
PureVision
®
2
SilSoft
®
SofLens
®
Ciba Vision
General Information
AIR OPTIX
®
AQUA
AIR OPTIX
®
for Astigmatism
AIR OPTIX
®
Aqua Multifocal
AIR OPTIX
®
NIGHT & DAY
®
Aqua
DAILIES
®
Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
FreshLook
®
Colors
Cooper Vision
General Information
Avaira
Biofinity
Biomedics
ClearSight
Expressions
Cooper Lens Selector
Expressions
Expressions Accents
Crazy Lenses
Frequency
Hydrasoft
Preference
Proclear
Synergeyes
Synergeyes Lenses
Synergeyes Duette Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses FAQ's
Contact Lens Care Solution
Alcon Opti-Free Replenish
Bausch & Lomb Biotrue
™
Bausch & Lomb ReNu
CIBA Aquify/CIBA Clear Care
Alcon Opti-Free PureMoist
Contact Lens Rebate Center
Vision
Therapy
What is Vision Therapy / Training?
Lazy Eye
Myth vs Reality
Visual Toys
ADD / ADHD
Computer Vision
Parents Guide
Sports Vision
Injuries
Pediatric
Vision
Infant Vision
PreSchool Vision
School Age Vision
Amblyopia or "Lazy Eye"
Protective Eyewear
Computer Impact on Children's Vision
InfantSEE®
About Sports Vision
Sports Vision Designer Frame and Lens Chart
CRT
What is Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
The Corneal Refractive Therapy Candidate
How Corneal Refractive Therapy Works
What to expect from Corneal Refractive Therapy
Corneal Refractive Therapy FAQ's
FAQ's
FAQ's Eyeglasses
FAQ's Contact Lenses
FAQ's Varilux
FAQ's Glaucoma
FAQ's Cataracts
FAQ's Dry Eye
Vision Glossary
704 SW PSL BLVD. PSL, FL 34953
(772) 873-0037
On-Line Promotions!
Post / Read Testimonials
Educational Multimedia
Submit Exam Registration
Submit Medical History
Evaluate Your Visit
Dry Eye Evaluation
LASIK Questionnaire
OFFICE HOURS
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
9:00 - 5:30
Wednesday:
9:00 - 5:30
Thursday:
9:00 - 5:30
Friday:
9:00 - 5:30
Saturday:
9:00 - 2:00
FAQ's
Dry Eyes
What is Dry Eye?
In medical terms,
Dry Eye is lovingly known as "KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA".
The tear film consists of 3 layers: A superficial lipid (oily) layer which decreases evaporation, a middle aqueous layer which contributes 90% of the tear film, and a deep mucin layer which facilitates spreading of the tears over the cornea.
How do you treat Dry Eye?
(1) Stimulation of tear production. Tear production is best stimulated by the topical administration of drops or ointments to the eye to the eyes. Usually 4-6 weeks (sometimes longer) is required for tear production to improve. Usually treatment must be continued for life to maintain tear production, but it is possible in some cases to reduce usage. This is especially true if KCS is detected early before severe drying is present.
(2) Control of ocular inflammation and infection through the topical application of an antibiotic-steroid preparation. Occasionally antibiotics may be given orally
Can Watery Eyes Be a Symptom of Dry Eye?
Yes. As odd as it sounds, many Dry Eye sufferers experience ‘wet eyes’ due to the tear glands overproducing watery or reflex tears to compensate for a lack of a balanced tear film.
Can reading & TV or computer viewing cause Dry Eye?
During reading and TV or computer viewing, the rate of eyelids blinking reduces significantly. This causes the tear film to evaporate leading to dryness of the eyes. This may happen in some people, especially more when they are tired, or have spent long hours watching TV or computers. Computer Users tend to blink much less frequently (about 7 times per minute vs. a normal rate of around 22 times/minute).
This leads to increased evaporation along with the fatigue and eye strain associated with staring at a computer monitor. Ideally, computer users should take short breaks about every 20 minutes to reduce this factor. Also, adjusting the monitor so that it is below eye level will allow the upper lid to be positioned lower and cover more of the eye’s surface, again to reduce evaporation..
What else can cause Dry Eye?
Blepharitis
can often cause Dry Eye symptoms due to inflammation of the eye lid margins, which is caused by a bacterial infection (Staphylococci). This condition can compromise the quality of the tear film causing tears to evaporate more quickly. The bacteria produce waste material that can cause a mild toxic reaction leading to chronic red, irritated eyes. Click Blepharitis for treatment.
LASIK
surgery temporarily disrupts the ocular surface/lacrimal gland unit. This condition usually eventually clears up.
Diseases that may be associated with Dry Eyes include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), Asthma, Thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), Lupus, and possibly Glaucoma.
Age -
Tear volume decreases as much as 60% by age 65 from that at age 18. Dry Eye Syndrome affects 75% of people over age 65.
Hormonal changes
for women can cause decreased tear production brought on by pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, and post menopause.
Dust, Pollen, and Tobacco -
When tear production decreases, dust and pollen stay in the eye longer and are more likely to stimulate an allergic response. In addition, anything that makes an eye more irritated, including Dry Eye, will make an eye more sensitive to environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke.
Other -
Too much coffee drinking, smoking, wearing contact lenses, air-conditioning or heat.
What are the warning signs and how is it detected?
People with Dry Eye have sandy-gritty irritation or burning in their eyes. Initially people may have symptoms only after particularly long days, or when driving, or with contact lens wear, or when exposed to extremely dry environments such as that seen in airplane cabins.
Eventually symptoms become more consistent, and if someone has sandy-gritty irritation or burning that gets worse as the day goes on, and if they have had these symptoms for more than a few days, Dry Eye should be ruled out by an eye doctor.
We will review your history and examine your eyes to make sure you do not have any other problems, and determine the cause for your Dry Eyes.
Can Dry Eye syndrome come and go?
Dry Eye syndrome does not truly come and go, but in the early stages of the condition, or with mild Dry Eye, you may only have symptoms after long days, or with environmental conditions that decrease your blink rate (i.e. computer use) or under conditions that increase evaporation from your tear film (i.e. wind, dry air, etc.).
Some patients may notice discomfort only when they wear their contact lenses. Some people may develop symptoms only when they are dehydrated--just like your mouth becomes dry, your eyes can become dry in this way.
What if I don't treat Dry Eye. Can I lose sight?
If untreated, Dry Eye can progress to a more irritable, troublesome condition called chronic conjunctivitis. It can cause considerable trouble, and Dry Eye can lead to loss of sight due to corneal scarring, so delaying treatment is not recommended.
Is there treatment for corneal scarring caused by Dry Eye
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.
What can I do to prevent or control Dry Eye syndrome?
Have annual eye exams.
See us immediately if you notice Dry Eye symptoms or any decline in your vision..
Dr. Lynne Erbe
704 SW PSL BLVD.
Port St. Lucie
,
FL
34953
Phone:
(772) 873-0037
Fax:
(772) 873-5833
L.C. Erbe, O.D., P.A. proudly serves Port Saint Lucie, FL and the surrounding areas of Beau Rivage West, White City, Fort Pierce, Hutchinson Island South, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City, North River Shores and Hobe Sound.
© 2023 All content is the property of
Dr. Lynne Erbe
™ & assoc. vendors. |
DISCLAIMER
|
HIPAA
Website Powered and Developed by
EyeVertise.com