Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when your body does not produce enough tears to sufficiently lubricate your eyes - which can lead to discomfort and even eye infections.

From time to time, it's completely normal for your eyes to feel dry. They could be caused by hormonal changes, aging, or environmental factors like warm weather. There are several ways you can reduce your risk of developing dry eyes. It is recommended that you:

• Avoid blowing air conditioners, hairdryers, or heaters into your eyes. The air and heat produced by these items can lead to increased tear evaporation and dry eyes.

• Use a humidifier to keep moisture in the air of your home or place of work. This can help keep the surface of the eyes moist.

• Take nutritional supplements with omega-3 fatty acids. These have been shown to help reduce symptoms of dry eyes.

• Blink frequently and take eye breaks while working on a computer. Staring at a computer screen for a long time can cause your eyes to dry out. Similarly, if you are concentrating on a task, you may be less likely to blink, which can prevent eyelids from lubricating the eyes with a tear film. Rest your eyes and remember to blink frequently to keep eyes moist while working on a computer.

• Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind and dry air. If you deal with chronic dry eyes, it is recommended that you use sunglasses with wrap-around frames to fully protect the eye.

• Don't smoke. Smoking can lead to decreased tear production and dry eye syndrome.

When your dry eyes become chronic, it's time for a doctor to get involved. If left untreated, dry eyes can cause discomfort and even vision problems. Connect with a real, qualified eye doctor on Sesame to get the relief you need for your dry eyes. Eye doctors licensed to treat patients in can diagnose your condition over video and develop a treatment plan that works for you - all for one affordable, upfront price.

Tears aren't just for when you're feeling down. They are vital in lubricating and cleaning the surface of the eye (also known as the cornea) and washing away foreign debris. Tear production helps maintain a tear film on the cornea, which fights eye infections and improves eye health. Dry eye disease - also sometimes called dry eye syndrome - occurs when the lacrimal glands in the conjunctiva (the membrane inside the eyelid) are unable to produce enough tears to properly lubricate the eye and supply tears. Some specific causes of dry eyes are:

- Inadequate tear production: If your tear ducts don't produce enough tears to lubricate the eye and maintain a tear film, your eyes are at risk of infection and other serious conditions.

- Environmental factors: Dry air or excessive wind can cause increased tear evaporation and reduced tear production.

- Aging: People ages 65+ may experience dry eyes due to a weakening lacrimal gland. This means that tear production is reduced, and the tear film on the corneal surface is less present. This can lead to eye infections and eye problems.

- Medical conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, Parkinson's Disease, and diabetes can cause dry eyes. Eye diseases can also cause dryness, such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid), ocular rosacea (rosacea in the eyes), or Sjogren's Syndrome (an autoimmune disease that results in chronic dry eyes and dry mouth).

- Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications (such as diuretics), birth control pills, antidepressants, and acne medication can cause reduced tear production.

- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during menopause or ingestion of birth control pills can cause women to develop cases of dry eyes.

- Computer use: Long-term computer use can reduce tear production and lead to dry eyes and blurry vision.

- Corneal nerve conditions: Long-term use of contact lenses, or loss of nerve sensitivity due to eye surgery/ refractive surgery (such as LASIK, can reduce tear production and cases of dry eyes.

- Poor quality of tears: Tears are made up of water, oil, and mucus. Eye conditions such as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction are the result of low-quality tears, which can cause symptoms of dry eyes.

Dry eye syndrome is a common but uncomfortable eye condition that, if unaddressed, can have long-term impacts on your eye health. Some common symptoms of dry eyes include:

• Redness
  
• Stinging, or burning feeling in the eye
  
• Light sensitivity
  
• Watery eyes
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Stringy mucus in or around the eye
  

Severe cases of dry eyes can lead to eye infections or eye disease, as the lacrimal glands are unable to create enough lubrication to wash away foreign debris and bacteria in the eye.

Dry eyes are a common eye condition, particularly in adults over the age of 65. There are several dry eye treatments and eye care measures you can take to prevent or reduce the effects of dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome can be easily treated but, if left unaddressed, can begin to have serious impacts on your vision and eye health. Possible side effects of dry eye syndrome include:

- Eye infections: Tears aren't just for crying - they wash away the foreign matter and bacteria that cause eye infections. If your eyes are no longer able to produce a sufficient amount of tears, you may be more prone to eye infections and discomfort.

- Damage to the surface of the eye: Severe cases of dry eyes, as well as chronic dry eye, can damage the surface of the eye. If tear glands are unable to wash away small particles of dirt or debris, small corneal abrasions may occur - leading to vision problems or eye infections. Chronic dry eyes can also inflame the eyelids, causing infections like conjunctivitis. While not the same as bacterial conjunctivitis (or pink eye), this condition can still cause blurry vision and discomfort.

If you are experiencing chronic dry eyes or severe dry eye syndrome, it is recommended that you speak to an ophthalmologist to discuss treatment options and eye care plans that can protect your eyes. If left untreated, dry eye syndrome (or dry eye disease) can lead to dangerous infection and damage to the surface of the eye.

If you are experiencing chronic dry eyes, or severe dry eye symptoms, it is recommended that you schedule a consultation with an ophthalmologist at an ophthalmology clinic to discuss treatment plans that might be right for you. Eye doctors use a few different methods to treat dry eyes, including:

- Warm compress/ eye masks: Warm compresses applied to the eyelids can help reduce inflammation, stimulate tear production, and ease swelling. Similarly, silicone eye masks worn at night can help hydrate the area around the eyelid and encourage increased tear production.

- Antibiotics: Antibiotics can fight infection and ease inflammation in the eyelid and around the eye. Inflammation can prevent glands in the eyelid from secreting oil into tears, which can lead to accelerated tear evaporation. Antibiotics reduce swelling around the eyelid and help promote the tear creation needed to keep eye infections at bay.

- Artificial tear solutions: Artificial tear drops can help with lubrication and relieve redness in the eye. Be sure to select an artificial tear solution that is preservative-free, however, as these additives can sometimes irritate your eyes and worsen your symptoms.

- Prescription eye drops: Eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help reduce inflammation on the corneal surface. Drugs featuring cyclosporine (such as Restasis) can help control natural tear production, and lessen inflammation.

- Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can help encourage tear production, and may be recommended by a doctor as a supplement along with other drugs/ treatment options.

Dry eyes can cause infection and serious side effects, such as vision loss if left untreated. Most cases of dry eyes will go away with eye care treatment and some medication. If symptoms persist, it is recommended that you speak with a doctor to discuss treatment options and prescription medication that may help.

If you are having serious vision problems or vision loss, see a doctor right away. Vision loss can be caused by an injury or by more serious conditions, like a stroke. If you are experiencing a severe, acute vision problem, call 911 immediately.

For non-emergency eye care, you can connect today with a licensed doctor on Sesame for a video eye exam. Our real, quality doctors can help diagnose and treat eye conditions for a clear, affordable price. No copays, no insurance networks, no hidden fees. It's really that simple.

Yep! Virtual eye exams are becoming more and more common. You can speak with a doctor over secure video chat to get your questions answered and symptoms addressed.

On Sesame, you can book an eye exam with a licensed optometrist in for an affordable, cash price - all from the comfort of home.

Routine eye exams help eye doctors determine whether you need eyeglasses or prescription eye care. If you currently have eyeglasses or use contact lenses, routine eye exams also help determine the prescription that is right for you.

Comprehensive eye exams help eye doctors screen for eye disease and eye conditions such as:

• Glaucoma
  
• Macular degeneration
  
• Strabismus
  
• Corneal damage/ abrasions
  
• Detached retinas/ retinal damage
  
• Optic nerve damage
  
• Color blindness
  

Based on your medical history and eye health, it is generally recommended that adults receive a comprehensive eye exam every two years to screen for serious eye health problems and eye disease.

Eye doctors perform eye exams to help assess the health of your eye and screen for eye conditions. Eye doctors usually conduct two main types of eye exams: routine eye exams and comprehensive eye exams.

Routine eye exams:

Routine eye exams are performed annually or every other year. Routine eye exams are meant to check for vision problems and assess your eyesight. Your eye doctor will ask about your medical history, family history (relating to eye conditions), and any eye problems you may be experiencing. The doctor will perform tests to assess general eye health and check for astigmatism, nearsightedness (myopia), or farsightedness (hyperopia)/ age-related farsightedness (presbyopia). During a routine eye exam, your doctor will determine whether you may need eyeglasses and contact lenses and develop a prescription that works for you. Some tests performed during a routine eye exam include:

- Visual acuity tests: Tests that determine how well you see the details of a letter or figure at different distances.

- Visual field test: This test helps doctors determine where the limit of sight is in the corner of your eye.

- Refraction tests: To determine whether you may need glasses or contact lenses, eye doctors will use a phoropter to test the refractive error of each eye. A phoropter is a medical device that looks like a large pair of goggles. The eye doctor will ask you to look through the phoropter at a series of letters or images and will adjust the phoropter's lenses until arriving at a prescription that works for you.

- Eye movement tests: These simple tests can often be performed by tracking the eye's movement as it follows an object in the line of sight. This helps doctors check the strength of your ocular muscles.

Comprehensive eye exams:

An eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to assess eye health and visual acuity and screen for eye conditions and diseases. The eye doctor will run a routine eye exam alongside more specific tests tailored to your vision and eye needs. These are usually longer eye exams that are used to check for signs of eye disease or serious eye problems. Tests that may be performed during a comprehensive eye exam include:

- Tonometry: Tonometry is a test that helps check for glaucoma by measuring eye pressure - the pressure of fluid in the eye.

- Slit-lamp tests: Slit-lamp (or biomicroscope) tests check for abnormalities in the cornea, iris, and lens of the eye. The doctor will use a special type of light (slit-lamp) and a low-powered microscope to look at the surface of your eye. This painless examination can help catch macular degeneration, detached retinas, and cataracts.

Eye exams play a key role in eye health and general healthcare. Not only do eye exams help doctors assess your quality of vision, but they also help determine whether you need eyeglasses or other forms of eye care. Comprehensive eye exams are crucial for catching serious eye conditions.

Just yourself (and some information about your medical history).

During your video consult, your doctor will ask you questions about your current symptoms and medical history. They may ask you to re-position your webcam to better evaluate any symptoms you are having. Come prepared to ask questions and get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Nope! Eye exams are almost always easy and painless. Most eye exams begin with your doctor asking you questions about any symptoms you have been having, your medical history, and your current medications.

Then, the doctor will test your visual acuity and visual field to see if you may need eyeglasses or contact lenses. Similar to the at-home vision tests, the doctor will ask you to identify letters listed on a chart approximately 10 feet away to assess your vision in each eye. If necessary, your eye doctor may conduct a refraction assessment. Refractors (those giant, metal goggles often associated with the eye doctor's office) correct errors in your vision, like astigmatism, by properly focusing light on your cornea, the back part of your eye. Eye doctors use refraction assessments to discover your lens prescription and fit you for glasses.

Your doctor may use a slit lamp, a tool that helps examine the inner structures of your eye, like your retina. They can also treat any physical symptoms you might be experiencing, like a stye - a painful bump near the outside of the eyelid.

Most eye doctors will also measure your eye pressure to detect the presence of glaucoma. For this, doctors use a tool called tonometry, which uses a quick puff of air to measure your eye pressure. But don't worry! Most doctors will give you a numbing eyedrop before tonometry--making the process completely painless!

Connect with a licensed optometrist on Sesame today, who can assess your symptoms and schedule a follow-up appointment - all for one transparent cash price.

The frequency of your eye exams should depend on your age as well as your personal and family medical history. The American Optometric Association (AOA) has developed recommendations outlining how often you should receive a comprehensive eye exam based on your age and personal risk of eye problems.

The AOA recommends that babies receive at least one comprehensive eye exam between birth and the age of 2, and at least one eye exam between the ages of 3-5. Then, the AOA suggests that children receive at least one more eye exam before first grade. After that, at-risk adolescents and adults should receive annual eye exams to help screen for eye disease and vision problems.

If you are low-risk or do not have vision problems, it is recommended that you get an eye exam every two years.

You should receive more regular eye exams if you have:

• A family history of eye problems and vision loss
  
• Preexisting health problems that affect your eyes (such as diabetes)
  
• Use and need prescription eye care (such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, or other eyewear)
  

Dilation is usually the last part of an annual eye check-up (don't worry, it's painless) and is the best way for eye doctors to check for early warning signs of eye diseases.

Usually, your eye doctor will give you an eye drop that will dilate, or widen, your pupil. Your doctor can then examine the inner parts of your eye. Dilation allows eye doctors to catch eye diseases before they begin to cause serious symptoms and develop a treatment plan that's right for you!