Dry Eye
Click the buttons below to download information about treatment options and pre-procedure forms for IPL.
Dry Eye
Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome (DES) is a chronic condition that tends to get worse as we age. There are two types of this problem, but both types involve inadequate tear film production and retention. The symptoms of dry eye—including dryness, scratchiness, blurred vision, and burning—can usually be successfully managed. Our treatments for dry eye range from prescription eye drops & punctal plugs to heat and light therapy to unclog your meibomian glands. During your eye exam, we can determine the best dry eye treatment for you.
Traditional Treatment Methods
Traditional treatment methods include the use of artificial tears, punctal plugs, and medicated eye drops.
Artificial tears, which are lubricating eyedrops may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling and foreign body sensation of dry eye. Punctal plugs are small silicone “plugs” inserted into the drainage ducts of the eyelids (typically 1 in each lower lid) to help reduce the drainage of tears from your eyes. They are usually a very good long-term option. Medicated eye drops, like Restasis and Cequa, are often very, very effective in restoring a more robust tear film and have been shown to be safe to use long-term. We also advocate for a well-rounded diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids as an adjunct to other therapies.
New Treatment
Methods
More recent treatments include, biologic drops, IPL, and nasal spray tear stimulators.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is the same treatment as your dermatologist may use to help remove age-spots on your skin, but when carefully applied around the eyelids it helps un-clog blocked glands and reduce inflammation which allow them to function at their best. This treatment has become increasingly popular because of how well it works and because it is the only option that gets to the root of the problem. Tyrvaya is a novel medication that is a nose spray. It works by stimulating the nasal nerves that are responsible for tear production. It’s known to be very quick acting and very safe long term.
The doctors and staff at Our Town Eye Care are passionate about helping improve your dry eyes. This will allow you to see and feel better. We are excited to offer the latest therapeutic options to help and we look forward to answering your questions about which options would be right for you.
