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Dry Eyes

Woman Blond Closeup. Dry Eye Treatment Is Possible!

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic condition that develops when your eyes do not produce and maintain enough tears to keep the eye’s surface lubricated resulting in multiple symptoms that range from person to person. This can be due to a reduction in tear production or increased tear evaporation from a lack of lipid in the tears that stem from oil glands in the eyelids. The effects can range from minor dryness and discomfort to pain, blurred vision and frequent infections.

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Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome can vary depending on the severity of the condition but can include:

  • Dry, itchy eyes
  • Burning or stinging
  • Irritation
  • Watery eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Pain
  • Foreign body sensation

The main function of tears is to maintain the health of the cornea of your eye by washing away foreign matter and ensuring that the surface of your eye remains moist, smooth and clear. Tears also rinse away dust particles from your eyes and contain enzymes that protect your eyes from bacteria that can cause infections. Dry eyes is a condition that develops when the amount of tears produced is not sufficient to maintain the moisture balance in your eye. This can result in that scratchy sensation, a continuous feeling of dryness, stinging and a sensation of a foreign body in your eye. Ironically in an effort to fight off the condition, dry eyes can cause you to produce excessive tears, which is why some people experience watery eyes.

Causes of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eyes can occur naturally as a result of aging or hormonal changes, typically in women who are pregnant, taking oral contraceptives or going through menopause. In fact, women over 50 have a 50% greater risk of dry eye disease than men do of the same age. It can also result from taking certain medications that reduce tear production such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications and antidepressants. Environmental factors can also play a role in drying out the eyes and DED is common in areas where the climate is dry, dusty and windy. Home air conditioners or heating systems and excessive time spent staring at a computer or television screen can also dry out eyes and exacerbate symptoms due to the lack of blinking while staring at our screens.

Individuals that suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes, blepharitis, lupus, arthritis and thyroid problems are more vulnerable to developing DED. Other causes can be due to eye surgery including LASIK, certain conditions in which the eyelids don’t close properly or extended contact lens use.

Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease

Typically, dry eye disease can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and a description of your symptoms. On some occasions the eye doctor might decide to do a test that measures how quickly your tears evaporate from the surface of your eye. By instilling a simple dye called fluorescein (much like food coloring) the doctor is able to watch and count how long it takes the tears to start to break up after they’ve asked you to hold your eyes open after a blink. This is called TBUT or a Tear Break Up Time test. A low TBUT generally indicates a lipid (aka oil) deficiency in the tears resulting from oil glands in the eyelids not functioning properly. In another type of test, called a Schirmer test, a strip of filter paper is placed under the lid of the eye and you will be asked to close your eye for five minutes. Following the test the amount of moisture on the strip will be measured. Schirmer tests are performed less frequently than a TBUT test.

Treatment for Dry Eye Disease (DED)

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There are many treatment options for dry eyes which are highly dependent upon the cause and severity of the condition. If over-the-counter remedies don’t alleviate your symptoms, your doctor might prescribe prescription drops or in office treatment that actually stimulate tear production or oil production for short and long term relief.

  • Pharmaceuticals
    Depending on the severity of DED, the doctor may prescribe steroid drops, antibiotics, immunomodulator drops (such as Restasis, Cequa, or Xiidra) or a tear film activator nasal spray (Tyrvaya).
  • Dry eye supplements
    Hydroeyes has been clinically tested and found to improve dry eye symptoms and reduce inflammation with uninterrupted continued use. These supplements contain a balanced blend of GLA, Omega 3, EPA and DHA to support a healthy tear film.
  • Hypochlorous Spray
    A gentle antiseptic and antimicrobial agent significantly reduces the amount of bacteria and inflammation around the eyelids and eyelashes while relieving symptoms of dry eyes.
  • BlephEX
    BlephEx in an in-office lid hygiene procedure that uses a soft medical-grade micro-sponge to comfortably remove excess debris and biofilm and takes less than 6 to 8 minutes for the entire procedure. Much like plaque on teeth, your eyelids can accumulate a biofilm and debris. BlephEx gently and effectively cleans the area around the eyelashes removing lid debris and biofilm.
  • iLux2
    The Systane iLux2 device is an in-office procedure used to heat and compress glands in the eyelids with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, a type of dry eye disease. The iLux2 takes high-definition imaging of meibomian glands and records the procedure to instantly see what happened during the treatment. The iLux2 treatment takes approximately 8 to 12 minutes for both eyes and has been shown to have lasting results in reducing the symptoms of dry eye disease.
  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
    IPL and LLLT have been FDA approved and the most effective treatments for dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction. IPL stimulates the meibomian glands and treats inflammation. LLLT uses medical LEDs that work at a cellular level to increase intracellular activity creating heat to unclog the meibomian glands. This procedure is not available at Vista Eye Center, but our optometrist can evaluate your eyes to determine the best treatment plan for you.

Preventing Dry Eyes

If the cause of your dry eyes is something external or environmental, eliminating that cause may solve the problem and resolve the symptoms. Avoid dry environments, hair dryers, heaters and fans, (particularly directed toward the eyes) and smoky environments and wear eye protection such as wrap around glasses or goggles when in dusty or windy areas. Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry indoor air. If working on computer or watching television, make sure to blink purposefully as our natural tendency is to reduce our blink rate when staring at a screen. Also avoid rubbing your eyes as this can further irritate them. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day can also help.

Dry eye disease won't have a permanent effect on your vision, but there is no reason to endure dry, itchy and uncomfortable eyes, especially since there are so many treatment options to increase moisture and comfort. It’s also important to realize that this is a chronic disease that needs consistent treatment. Your doctor will work with you to create a long term strategy to keep your eyes as comfortable as possible.

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