Dry Eye Therapy

WHAT CAUSES DRY EYES

There are 2 major subtypes of dry eye: aqueous deficiency and evaporation. The causes for each type are inadequate tear production or premature evaporation, respectively.

Causes for both can include:

• Environmental factors like dry air, smoke, or dust
• Eye allergies
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
• Eyelid problems
• Medication or other medical conditions

TREATING DRY EYES AT HOME

Fortunately, there are a few things you can try at home. Even with some relief, it’s important to see your eye doctor for an examination . There may be a more appropriate or effective treatment to combat your uncomfortable symptoms.

• Eye Drops: Many over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can offer quick relief. Using a preservative-free formula can prevent extra eye irritation and chronic symptoms.
• Warm compress: Applying a warm compress can help loosen oils and stimulate tear and oil production. This works well when combined with the thorough (but gentle) cleaning of your eyelids
• Allergy medicine: Sometimes, the primary reason for dry eyes is allergies. In situations like this, an allergy medicine may help. But keep in mind that some medications can cause dry eyes. Medicine options could be an excellent discussion to have with your eye doctor.

IN-OFFICE TREATMENTS

Essential Eyes Columbia offers several dry eye therapies right here in our office. First, we start with a dry eye assessment to determine what may be causing your symptoms. Then, we can recommend a treatment based on your needs.

RESTASIS
Prescription medication may be the solution for your dry eyes. Restasis is a commonly prescribed eye drop. It does 2 things: it encourages and stimulates tear production and helps reduce inflammation.

MEIBOMIAN GLAND EXPRESSION
A significant cause of evaporative dry eye is MGD. Manual expression is an effective way to unclog your meibomian glands and stimulate them to produce healthy oil.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL) THERAPY
Another way to combat MGD is with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. This treatment uses a device that targets the skin around the eyes, helping to break up oil or bacterial buildups. In turn, this can help stimulate the meibomian glands to work properly.

LID & GLAND DEBRIDEMENT
Another cause for MGD is the accumulation of debris on the eyelids. This can cause the openings of the glands to become blocked, which causes them to malfunction. The manual removal of the debris is an effective way to help your eyes feel great again.

PUNCTAL PLUGS
Punctal plugs may be a good solution in situations where the tears are draining from the eye before they can lubricate it. These tiny devices are inserted in the eye’s puncta (tear ducts) to prevent the tears from draining as quickly.