Dry Eye Therapy | Columbia | Essential Eyes Columbia

Do You Enjoy Dry Eyes?

If you’re like the millions of Americans with dry eye, you may know the frustration and discomfort that dry eyes can cause. Dry eye syndrome, typically known simply as “dry eye,” is a prevalent condition that affects some people seasonally and others all year round.

In many cases, having dry eyes doesn’t only cause discomfort. For example, untreated dry eye could hinder your eligibility for laser eye surgery. Additionally, dry eye can leave your eyes vulnerable to injury or infection.

There are a few home remedies you can try for symptom relief. But with anything related to your health, it’s important to discuss treatments with a doctor, even natural home remedies. Dr. Price can examine your eyes to see if there is anything underlying causing your symptoms, and then she can recommend an appropriate treatment.

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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.

Book Your Appointment with Us Today

Don’t go through each day with irritated, dry eyes. Talk to us today to discuss your dry eye therapy options. Our knowledgeable staff can answer your questions and book you in to see Dr. Price. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to dry eye, so the doctor can review your situation and recommend a treatment option to help relieve your eyes.

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