Dry Eye Treatment

WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Understanding dry eye will help you determine the best treatment option. Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and results when there is a decrease in the production of tears that moisten, cleanse, and protect the eyes.

Your eyes are moistened by two different types of tears: lubricating tears and reflex tears. Lubricating tears are produced continuously to moisturize your eyes and contain natural infection fighting agents. Reflex tears are produced in response to sudden irritation (smoke, onions, and foreign particles), injury or emotion. Although irritation from dry eye can trigger reflex tears which flood the eye, reflex tears do not have the proper lubricating composition.

dry eye

Dry eye syndrome results when there is a decrease in the production of tears that moisten, cleanse, and protect the eyes. This eye problem often results as people age and environmental factors such as extended computer use and lack of certain nutrition. Dry eye syndrome can also be triggered by hormonal changes and the use of birth control pills and many medications. Inflammation has been shown to be highly associated with dry eyes and may have a neurological factor that leads to damage to the surface of the eye.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, diffuse abnormality of the meibomian glands most often associated with inflammation of the eyelids, lashes, rosacea and more. Meibomian glands are oil producing glands in the eyelid margins of both your upper and lower eyelids. These glands produce the oil which comprises the outermost layer of your tears. This oily layer protects your tears from evaporating. When these oils are reduced, the evaporation of your tears from the surface of your eyes is increased and your eyes become drier much more quickly, especially when you are reading a computer screen, cell phone, tablet, document, watching T.V., driving, etc.

Why Should I Be Concerned About Dry Eyes?

Dry eye issues don’t just leave you with dry, scratchy, red eyes, these complications can lead to other serious issues. Untreated dry eyes can:

  • Increase your risk of eye infections
  • Lead to damage of the surface of your eye
  • Make it difficult to see and perform everyday tasks
  • Contact lens discomfort


Artificial Tears

For mild cases of dry eyes, the best option is over-the-counter eye drops.
Here are a few tips for selecting the right one:

  • Low viscosity – These artificial tears are watery. They often provide quick relief with little or no blurring of your vision, but their effect can be brief, and sometimes you must use these drops frequently to get adequate relief.
  • High viscosity – These are more gel-like and provide longer-lasting lubrication. However, these drops can cause significant blurring of your vision for several minutes. For this reason, high-viscosity artificial tears are recommended at bedtime.


Prescription Dry Eye Treatments

There are several prescriptions that treat dry eye differently. Your eye doctor can advise the best option for your situation.

  • Contact Lenses – There are specialty contact lenses that deliver moisture to the surface of the eye. They’re called scleral lenses or bandage lenses.
  • Antibiotics – If your eyelids are inflamed, this can prevent oil glands from secreting oil into your tears. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics to reduce inflammation.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs – These are eye drops to control inflammation on the surface of your eyes (cornea) using the immune suppressing medication cyclosporine (Restasis) or corticosteroids.
  • Tear-stimulating drugs – Available as pills, gel or eye drops, cholinergic (pilocarpine, cevimeline), these help to increase tear production.
  • Autologous blood serum drops – For serious dry eye that’s not responding to other treatment, these eyedrops are made with a sample of your blood. It’s processed to remove the red blood cells and then mixed with a salt solution.
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Dry Eye Procedures

There are several prescriptions that treat dry eye differently. Your eye doctor can advise the best option for your situation.

  • Punctal Plugs – Tear ducts can be plugged with tiny silicone plugs to reduce tear loss. By partially or completely closing your tear ducts, it can keep your tears from leaving your eye too quickly.
  • Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) by Envision
  • Radiofrequency (RF) I-forma by Envision
  • Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) – Light emitting diode (LED) therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment utilizing light energy to treat various conditions, including acne, aging skin, pain, hair restoration, excess fat, and now dry eyes caused by inflammation. The absorbed light energy enhances cellular performance, promoting self-repair and rejuvenation—just as nature intended.


​​​​​​​At Van Alstyne Eye Care, we offer diagnostics and effective treatment of chronic dry eyes. You don’t have to suffer from the symptoms of dry eyes Talk to our optometrist about dry eye treatment options designed to address the underlying cause of your condition. Contact Us for more information.

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