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DRY EYE THERAPY

Dry eye syndrome can make daily life uncomfortable, with symptoms like irritation, wateriness, and discomfort affecting how much you enjoy your vision. While over-the-counter eye drops may offer temporary relief, the discomfort often returns. For lasting comfort, it's important to address the underlying causes of dry eye. 

 

With our thorough dry eye evaluation process, our doctors can develop a personalized management strategy to help alleviate your symptoms and restore your visual comfort.

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes can’t maintain a stable tear film, which is essential for keeping your eyes hydrated and comfortable. The tear film consists of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. If any of these layers are deficient, you may experience the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye.  T

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  • Evaporative dry eye happens when the tear film lacks enough oil to seal in moisture, leading to quick evaporation. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of evaporative dry eye.

  • Aqueous tear deficiency occurs when there’s not enough water in the tear film to keep your eyes hydrated.

 

Evaporative dry eye is the most common form of dry eye, and understanding the cause is key to finding the right treatment.

Symptoms & Causes

Common symptoms of dry eye include:

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  • Redness

  • Wateriness

  • Light sensitivity

  • Grittiness

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision

  • Eye strain

  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses

 

Several factors can increase your risk of developing dry eye:

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  • Age: The likelihood of dry eye increases as you get older, especially in females with changing hormones

  • Health conditions: Autoimmune diseases like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes can contribute to dry eye.

  • Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, birth control, and certain other medications can reduce tear production.

  • Environmental factors: Wind, smoke, or dry air can exacerbate symptoms, as well as exposure to allergens.

Diagnosing Dry Eyes

Diagnosing dry eye syndrome requires a thorough evaluation of your tear film and the structures that support it. We use advanced tools and techniques to assess your eye health, including:

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  • Firefly slit lamp: This allows us to closely examine your eyes and measure factors like tear break-up time and tear meniscus height, helping us understand how well your tear film is functioning.

  • Meibography: This technique helps us visualize your meibomian glands to ensure they are producing enough oil to support a stable tear film.

Managing Your Symptoms

Once we identify the root cause of your dry eyes, we’ll create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Dry Eye has a number of different factors and it is not a one size fits all approach.

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  • Punctal plugs: These small plugs are placed into your tear ducts to prevent tears from draining too quickly, keeping your eyes hydrated for longer periods. This simple in-office procedure can provide lasting relief.

  • Lid and lash hygiene protocol: Bacteria that live on our lids or inside our lashes cause inflammation and damage to our meibomian glands. Having a routine to help reduce the bacteria allows for a healthier tear film.

  • Low Level Laser Therapy Light: Light emitted at specific wavelengths has both anti-inflammatory and photo biomodulation (healing) properties that help our cells that produce tears become healthier

  • Intense Pulsed Light Therapy: We use the Optilight IPL by Lumenis, the only FDA approved IPL for treatement of dry eye to attack the inflammation at its root.

  • Prescription eye drops: If your dry eye symptoms are more severe, we may prescribe prescription eye drops to support tear production and reduce inflammation. 

  • Dietary changes: Sometimes, small adjustments to your diet can help manage dry eye symptoms. Omega-3 supplements or adding more fish to your meals may support oil production in your tear film, promoting better eye comfort.

 

We’re committed to finding the right solution to restore your comfort and improve your quality of life. Your journey toward comfortable vision can start today—book an appointment with us, and we’ll help guide you every step of the way.

Relieve your dry eye symptoms with expert care—schedule your appointment today

at any of our three locations.

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