Do your eyes often feel dry and itchy? If so, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Eye doctors do more than assess your visual acuity and prescribe glasses or contacts. They also diagnose and treat various conditions of the eyes, including those that lead to dry eye. Keep reading for a more in-depth look at what an eye exam for dry eye will involve, why it's so important, and what treatments you may receive.

Why is a dry eye exam important?

Dry eyes are not just an annoyance Living with dry eyes for a prolonged time puts you at risk for corneal scratches, which are tiny abrasions on the surface of your eye. These scratches can become infected, which can lead to discharge and pain.

Another reason dry eyes are important to investigate is that the disorders that cause them can sometimes have other consequences. It's possible that your dry eyes are being caused by an eye infection, which could lead to permanent eye damage if not treated. You may also have a blocked lacrimal gland or a growth in or around your lacrimal gland that is cutting off the flow of tears. 

What will a dry eye exam involve?

Often, the eye doctor will begin by using a special instrument to measure the amount of moisture on your eye. They'll gently touch this instrument to the surface of your eye; it won't hurt. They will also examine your tear ducts, lacrimal glands, and other structures related to tear production. This is done with a special, microscope-like instrument that allows the eye doctor to take a closer look at your eye. Finally, the eye doctor will assess your eyes for signs of infection, such as discharge and dilated blood vessels.

What treatments may you be prescribed?

If you have an eye infection, you'll typically be prescribed eye drops. These should clear the infection and subsequently ease the dryness.

If your lacrimal glands are not producing enough tears, your eye doctor will likely prescribe a medication to increase tear production. They may also refer you to a specialist, such as an oncologist or rheumatologist, for further testing to see why your lacrimal glands are underproducing. This may be due to a growth or an autoimmune disease.

If you have dry eyes, don't ignore this symptom. This is definitely a sign to see an eye doctor and deduce what's going on. For more information, contact a company like Eye Wares.