Healthy corneas are important for good vision, yet few of us really think about our corneas unless they’re damaged or causing unpleasant symptoms. Here’s what you can do to make sure your corneas stay healthy and free from disease.
When most of us think of tears, we think of crying over something sad or, sometimes, something really happy. But our tears do a lot more than show our emotions. They also play a critical role in keeping our eyes healthy.
When something goes wrong with the way your tears are produced or drained, it can have serious consequences for your vision.
Rostami Oculo-Facial Plastic Consultants is a leading provider of state-of-the art treatments for disorders of the lacrimal system, the system responsible for tear production and drainage. Knowing the symptoms of lacrimal system disorders is the first step toward making sure those problems are treated early, before serious problems develop.
Here’s how our practice treats tear-related problems at our Reston, Virginia, practice.
The main purposes of the lacrimal system are to produce tears, distribute them to the eye’s surface, and then drain the tears away, along with any debris from the surface of the eye. Tears help keep your eyes clean and free of germs and tiny particles that could irritate the eye or cause infections or disease.
The lacrimal system produces different types of tears at different times:
The lacrimal system is made up of several structures:
Tears produced by the lacrimal gland are released into the eye through several tiny openings (ducts). After washing over the surface of the eye, the tear fluid drains through openings at the inner “corner” of the eye, openings called puncta.
Tear fluid drains through tiny canals into the lacrimal sac before exiting into the nose through the nasolacrimal duct. (This drainage is one reason why a runny nose often accompanies excess tears.)
Lacrimal system disorders can involve any part of the system — the glands, ducts, or drains — and the symptoms you experience can vary based on which part is affected. Some of the more common symptoms include:
If the lacrimal gland is infected, you might not produce as many tears as normal, or the tear film may be unusually thick. Lacrimal gland infection is often associated with pain or discomfort near the gland, mucousy discharge, and sometimes swelling of the upper lid.
Sometimes, an infection or other problem affects the openings and canals where the tears drain. When drainage is blocked, bacteria can wind up growing inside the canals, the lacrimal sac, or the nasolacrimal duct.
These infections require prompt treatment to prevent them from spreading and causing more serious problems.
Dry eye syndrome is probably the most common lacrimal system problem, affecting about 5 million people in the United States. Most dry eye problems are chronic, meaning you need ongoing treatment to manage the symptoms effectively.
Dry eye tends to become more common with age, but it can also occur when a problem affects the lacrimal gland or ducts.
Some types of dry eye syndrome can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam combined with an analysis of your tear film. But many times, a more in-depth exam is required to evaluate the components of the lacrimal system.
Most of us take our eyes for granted — until something goes wrong. If you’re having any type of unusual symptom with your eyes or your vision, don’t put off scheduling an exam. Early diagnosis means you can start treatment sooner, so you can feel better and prevent more serious problems.
To schedule your evaluation, call Rostami Oculo-Facial Plastic Consultants at 571-252-3697 or use our online form to book your appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Healthy corneas are important for good vision, yet few of us really think about our corneas unless they’re damaged or causing unpleasant symptoms. Here’s what you can do to make sure your corneas stay healthy and free from disease.
Are you looking for a way to reduce skin damage without major downtime? PRP could be just what you’re looking for. Here’s how to tell whether PRP could be a good choice for helping you enjoy smoother, clearer, more beautiful skin.
Are forehead lines and crow’s feet making you look a lot older than you feel? Then neuromodulator injections could be just what you’re looking for. Here’s how Botox®, Dysport®, and Jeuveau® can smooth away those common signs of aging.
Your eyes say a lot about you — but you don’t want them to lie about your age. If your eyelids are drooping even when you’re plenty rested, an eyelid lift might be just what you need to restore those youthful lids and take years off your appearance.
Gone are the days of the “frozen” facelift. Today’s facelifts use advanced techniques for results that look more natural — and last a lot longer, too. If you’re considering a facelift, here’s how to make sure you get beautifully natural results.
We’ve all seen the images of people who’ve gone too far with injectables — from frozen expressions to overly puffy lips. What you may not notice are the scores of people who look naturally youthful and vibrant thanks to these same injectables.