chronic dry eye is among the most common complaints heard by eye doctors

Good Eye Health If you are over 50 years old there is a good chance you will need reading glasses. There is also a good chance that your eyes will be dry. Millions of people with chronic dry eye disease find themselves waking up every day with dry, itchy eyes and blurred vision, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks. This condition, where the eye does not produce the right quantity or quality of tears, affects mostly people over the age of 50 years. Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), chronic dry eye is among the most common complaints heard by eye doctors, yet many people don't recognize they could have the disease and/or understand its severity. Chronic dry eye can be caused by a functional problem in the tear-producing glands of the eyes. This reduces tear production, resulting in an insufficient amount of tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Symptoms such as uncomfortable dryness, itchiness and blurred vision may make daily tasks like reading, watching TV and driving difficult. Anyone who suspects they may have chronic dry eye should visit an eye doctor, who can make a diagnosis and determine the proper treatment regimen. While some eye drops provide temporary symptomatic relief, the prescription therapies are the right solution for this condition. Your eye doctor can determine the best therapy for you