Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eye does not produce good quality tears, or when they evaporate too quickly.
What causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye can occur when tear production decreases, tear evaporation increases, or tear composition is imbalanced. Others factors can contribute to dry eye, as well.
Dry Eye Symptoms:
- Foreign body sensation
- Redness in the eye
- Episodes of excessive tearing
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty opening eyes in the morning
- Pain in the eye
Common risk factors of dry eye:
- Gender (women are more likely to develop dry eye)
- Advanced age
- Autoimmune diseases (Sjogren syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia)
- Blepharitis & rosacea
- Prolonged periods of screen time
- Contact lenses
- Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications, and birth control pills.
Dry eye complications if left untreated:
- Eye infections
- Damage to the surface of your eyes
- Decreased quality of life due to impaired vision
Dry Eye Treatment Options:
Dry Eye Evaluation:Â The evaluation consists of a comprehensive eye examination assessing the health of your ocular surface, quality of the tears, tears ducts, eyelids, blink mechanism, as well a full review of your medical and personal history.
Mild dry eye symptoms:Â Mild dry eye may be treated with over-the-counter lubricant drops and lifestyle changes, such as taking breaks from the screen use, supplementing the diet with Omega-3s, and using warm lid compresses.
Moderate dry eye symptoms:
Require prescription dry eye drops.
If the patient does not respond to the above treatment options offered at Precision Eye Care, the following therapies are available:
Punctal plugs:Â Punctal plugs are made of silicone or collagen, and they may be inserted by an eye care provider to partially or completely plug the tear ducts to keep tears from draining out the eye.
Intense Light Therapy ( IPL):Â Â This treatment for blocked meibomian glands combines heat with massage of the eyelids. Many patients describe the procedure as a spa experience for their eyes.
Bleph-Ex:Â This treatment for blepharitis uses a micro-sponge to exfoliate and clean the eyelids and lashes, removing the bacteria and debris from the lid margins.
Get in Touch
For more information on our Cataract Corrective Surgery services, please fill out our contact form or call our office today and someone will help you schedule an appointment for a consultation.Â
