Dry Eye Therapy

Soothing Comfort for Irritating Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye is a common condition affecting millions of Americans each year. But irritating dry eye symptoms can be improved with a proper treatment plan and customized care. We offer various treatment options to help you regain comfort and clarity from irritating dry eye symptoms.

Visit us today for a dry eye assessment during a comprehensive eye exam.

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Personalizing Your Comfort

No 2 cases of dry eye are the same, so we offer personalized dry eye kits that include treatments chosen specifically for you. These can include lubricating eye drops, heat eye masks, eyelid wipes, and omega-3 supplements.

We may recommend using these together or separately to relieve your dry eyes at home after an in-office treatment.

OptiLIGHT By Lumenis

OptiLIGHT by Lumenis is a light-based, noninvasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.

The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.

This application can significantly relieve dry eye indicators and has a multi-factorial effect, including:

Increasing tear break-up time
Reducing the amount of demodex mites and bacteria living around your eyes
Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation
Improving meibomian gland functionality

Learn more about this technology on our OptiLIGHT by Lumenis page.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to lubricate your eye’s surface or the tears you produce are poor quality.

Tear evaporation can occur due to age or a dry climate, and poor-quality tears can occur when there is a problem with the water, oil, or mucus layers of your tear film.

Dry eye can cause various symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms can include:

Watery eyes

Mucus in the eye

Blurry vision

Redness

Stinging, scratchiness, or burning

Light sensitivity

Risk Factors of Dry Eye

Potential risk factors for dry eye can include:

Age, especially over 65

Hormonal changes due to menopause, oral contraceptives, or pregnancy

Certain medications, such as antihistamines or blood pressure medications

Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or a thyroid problem

Exposure to dry, smoky, or windy climates

Extended computer use and digital eye strain

Long-term contact lens wear

Common Dry Eye Conditions

Dry eye develops when there is a dysfunction with the layers of the tear film. The 3 tear film layers include:

The mucus layer, which keeps moisture in the eye.
The water layer, which hydrates the eye.
The oil layer, which helps smooth the tear film across the eye and prevent it from evaporating.

The tear film is essential for protecting and nourishing your eye and focusing light to help you see. Any disruption in its function can affect your vision and eye comfort.

While there are many causes of tear film dysfunction, 2 common ones are meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and blepharitis.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

MGD occurs when there’s a blockage in the meibum glands along the eyelids. These glands are responsible for secreting the oil needed for a healthy tear film. The oily layer is essential to keep the tear film from evaporating.

MGD can be treated in multiple ways, such as manually expressing the glands, using a heat and massage combination, or using intense pulsed light therapy (IPL), such as the OptiLight.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis occurs due to the accumulation of bacteria on the eyelids or blocked meibomian glands, causing flaky, dry, and red eyelids. Your eyes may also appear swollen, sting, and become watery due to blepharitis.

There are 2 types of blepharitis, and you can have them both simultaneously.