Dry Eye Management
Dry eye disease (DED) is a condition in which a person does not have enough “quality tears” to lubricate and nourish the eye. Therefore, one can have an excessive amount of tears and still have dry eye symptoms.
Tears are made of 3 principal tear layer components: mucous layer, water layer and the oil layer. The mucous layer allows the tears to adhere to the cornea or conjunctiva surface. The water layer is the hydrating portion of the tears and the oil layer lies on the outermost surface. If one of the layers is missing or compromised then we have a dry eye condition. If the mucous layer is missing, the tears will not adhere to the corneal surface and the tears will flow down your cheek. If the water layer is missing then hydration and nutrients that is carried in the tears is absent. If the oil layer is missing then evaporation occurs too rapidly.
How do you treat it?
Artificial tears - mild cases of dry eyes can often be managed using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions. These can be used as often as needed to supplement natural tear production. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they contain fewer additives, which can further irritate the eyes. Moderate to severe cases of dry eyes may benefit from lubricating gels or ointments.
Lid hygiene - keeping your eyelid margins clean and free of debris can help alleviate dry eye symptoms. We recommend over the counter Occusoft Lid Wips and Avenova Lid and Lash spray. These and the use of a warm eye compress are key to keeping your eyes healthy
Prescription eye drops - these drops work to increase natural tear production.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) - intense broad spectrum light can be used to address dry eye disease symptoms quickly and efficiently. We use Lumenis' OptiLIGHT technology to provide a comfortable, fast and efficient way to treat dry eyes.
Dry eye disease (DED) is a condition in which a person does not have enough “quality tears” to lubricate and nourish the eye. Therefore, one can have an excessive amount of tears and still have dry eye symptoms.
Tears are made of 3 principal tear layer components: mucous layer, water layer and the oil layer. The mucous layer allows the tears to adhere to the cornea or conjunctiva surface. The water layer is the hydrating portion of the tears and the oil layer lies on the outermost surface. If one of the layers is missing or compromised then we have a dry eye condition. If the mucous layer is missing, the tears will not adhere to the corneal surface and the tears will flow down your cheek. If the water layer is missing then hydration and nutrients that is carried in the tears is absent. If the oil layer is missing then evaporation occurs too rapidly.
How do you treat it?
Artificial tears - mild cases of dry eyes can often be managed using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions. These can be used as often as needed to supplement natural tear production. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they contain fewer additives, which can further irritate the eyes. Moderate to severe cases of dry eyes may benefit from lubricating gels or ointments.
Lid hygiene - keeping your eyelid margins clean and free of debris can help alleviate dry eye symptoms. We recommend over the counter Occusoft Lid Wips and Avenova Lid and Lash spray. These and the use of a warm eye compress are key to keeping your eyes healthy
Prescription eye drops - these drops work to increase natural tear production.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) - intense broad spectrum light can be used to address dry eye disease symptoms quickly and efficiently. We use Lumenis' OptiLIGHT technology to provide a comfortable, fast and efficient way to treat dry eyes.