Dry Eye
Dry Eye Treatment Options at Pelham Eye Center
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Over 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye, which is a chronic problem that occurs when the tears don’t provide enough lubrication for the eyes. Dry eye syndrome can sometimes be a confusing condition. Are your symptoms from dry eye, lack of sleep, digital eye strain, contact lens intolerance, or some other condition? We can help you sort through your symptoms at a comprehensive eye exam or medical office visit.
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Dry Eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of tears is compromised. Many factors can affect tear quality, including medications, diet, genetics, and environment.
Recent studies have shown that over 80% of dry eye stems from inflamed or improperly functioning meibomian glands (the oil glands that line the eyelids).
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Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include dryness, burning, eye fatigue, blurred vision, redness, irritation, tired eyes, and tearing.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, tearing is actually a common symptom of dry eye syndrome. Inflammation on the ocular surface makes it difficult for natural tears to stick, so they either evaporate or spill over, causing excess tearing.
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Since dry eye syndrome is multi-factorial, we tailor out treatment plans to each individual patient. We follow the TFOS DEWS II study in our approach to dry eye treatment, as outlined further below.
Dry Eye Treatment Options
The goal of our dry eye treatments is to achieve simultaneous eye comfort and ocular surface health. Following the TFOS DEWS II study, our treatment approach moves from simple to complex, as outlined by some the following options:
Environmental, dietary, and systemic modifications
Ocular lubricants/artificial tears
Prescription eye drops or autologous serum tears
Lid hygiene and warm compresses
Tear conservation via punctal occlusion
Therapeutic bandage contact lenses, scleral contact lenses, or amniotic membranes
In-office procedures including meibomian gland expression and intense pulsed light therapy
Lumenis OptiLight IPL
Say goodbye to dry eyes, and say hello to an illuminating solution! At Pelham Eye Center, we offer the first and only FDA-approved IPL treatment for dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
This gentle, in-office, non-invasive procedure is safe, comfortable, and supported by more than 20 clinical studies.
Let us help you get relief from your dry eyes!
How does OptiLight work?
OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce inflammation typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland function—in turn diminishing the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
These treatments can significantly relieve dry eye indicators with the following effects:
Increasing tear break-up time
Reducing bacterial and demodex load on and around the ocular surface
Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation (as seen with conditions like rosacea)
Improving meibomian gland function
Patients may also appreciate aesthetic benefits of OptiLight treatments, such as the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, redness, and telangiectasia around the eyes!
