Dry Eye Treatment

WHAT IS DRY EYE DISEASE?



Dry Eye Disease is a common condition affecting roughly 20 million Americans.  When you have dry eye, the cornea and /or conjunctiva is inflamed, because the eyes either do not produce an adequate amount of tears, or tears evaporate too quickly from the surface of the eyes.  Most Dry Eye cases involve a combination of both problems.
 

YOU MAY HAVE DRY EYE DISEASE IF YOU OFTEN EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCULAR SYMPTOMS:

 

Excess Tearing

Fluctuating Vision

Red, Burning, Scratchy, or Gritty Eyes

Sore, Tired Eyes


WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE?

Dry eye is a Multi-factorial condition, and many of the following can contribute to or worsen it:

AGE

  • Reduced tear production:  Tear Glands work less efficiently with age, resulting in lower quantity and / quality of tears.

  • Reduced Oil Production: The oil glands (called Meibomian glands) can become blocked or can atrophy over time, allowing lesser oil secretions onto the eyes.

  • Less frequent blinking or Incomplete blinking

Increased inflammation in the body can result with inflamed tear glands, oil glands, and ocular surface.


MEDICAL CONDITIONS

  • Diabetes

  • Autoimmune Disorders, including Sjogren’s Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Thyroid Disorders, Crohn’s,  Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Psoriatic Arthritis, among many more

  • Inflammatory Skin Disorders, such as Rosacea

  • Seasonal Allergies

 

MEDICATIONS

Various types of medications can cause dry eye, including but not limited to the following:

  • Antihistamines (Zyrtec, Benadryl, etc)

  • Antidepressants (Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, etc)

  • Diuretics (Hydrochlorothiazide, Furosemide, Spironolactone, etc)

  • Hormonal Agents (Birth control meds, Estrogen therapy, HRT, etc)
     

 

LIFESTYLE

Various lifestyle patterns can contribute to Dry Eye, including the following: 

  • Spending several, continuous hours per day looking at a screen, or reading

  • Smoking cigarettes

  • Excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption

  • Dehydration

 

DIET

Diets consistently rich in saturated fats, high sodium, high sugar, and ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of Dry Eye, due to increased inflammation in the body.
 

HORMONAL CHANGES

Hormonal changes can have a significant impact on ocular surface health.

  • Changes in estrogen and androgen levels

  • Hormonal contraceptives

  • Menopause

  • Thyroid hormone changes

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
     

ENVIRONMENT

  • Low humidity environments from air-conditioning or heating

  • Dry or Windy climates

  • High air pollution

  • Seasonal allergens

  • Airborne irritants such as dust, pet dander, mold

 

CONTACT LENS OVERUSE

Long-term use of contact lenses, especially extended-wear lenses such as monthly or biweekly disposables, can lead to a higher risk of dry eye. 

When you schedule your Dry Eye Consult, a thorough Ocular Surface evaluation will be performed through various tests to determine the TYPE of Dry Eye, and the root cause of it. 
 

TREATMENTS FOR DRY EYE DISEASE

  • Artificial Tears, Lipid-based Lubricant Drops

  • At-Home Eyelid Health Maintenance 

  • Intense Pulsed Light

  • Radiofrequency

  • Prescription Eye Drops

  • In-Office Lids and Lash Blepharoexfoliation

  • Rinsada

  • Amniotic Membrane

  • Serum Tears

  • Scleral Contact Lenses

  • Oral Antibiotics


PREVENTATIVE SELF CARE

  • Blink regularly when reading, or looking at a computer screen for a long time.

  • Make sure there’s adequate humidity in the air at home, and in your workspace. Use a humidifier, if necessary.

  • Wear sunglasses to reduce sun and wind exposure. 

  • Consider an Omega-3 Supplement; there are ones specifically formulated for Dry Eyes.

  • Find out if any of your prescription medications have dry eye as a side effect; and, if so, discuss with your provider if an alternative can be prescribed.
     

When you schedule your Dry Eye Consult, a thorough Ocular Surface evaluation will be performed through various tests to determine the TYPE of Dry Eye, and the root cause of it.

SCHEDULE YOUR DRY EYE CONSULT

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