Causes of dry eyes and how to treat it?

Do you use eye drops frequently in an attempt to relieve redness, grittiness, and irritation? These symptoms often indicate that you have dry eyes, a problem that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears are missing an important component. Fortunately, drop-free, lasting relief is available, letting you put aside your eye drops and enjoy more comfortable eyes.

What causes dry eyes?

The most common cause of dry eyes is a problem with the quality of your tear film. Tears are more than just water. They are made up of three layers: an aqueous or watery layer, a lipid or oil layer, and a mucin layer. The oil in your tears prevents them from evaporating, keeping your eyes moist. When tears evaporate too quickly, you experience evaporative dry eyes.

This important lipid layer comes from glands along the edges of your eyelids called Meibomian glands. These glands can become blocked, causing them to stop secreting oil, leading to a weak tear film that cannot protect and coat the eye properly. Problems with the meibomian glands make up the majority of cases of dry eye.

Other causes of dry eye include inflammation around the eyelid (blepharitis) and dilated blood vessels (ocular rosacea). Other factors such as age, gender, previous eye surgery, medications, and medical conditions can also play a role, so we recommend a consultation with a dry eye specialist to determine the causes and best treatments.

How to Treat Dry Eyes

Eye drops are the most common treatment for dry eyes, but not the most convenient or effective one. In-office treatments offered by Dr. Wu and her team can give you symptomatic relief that lasts for months or even longer and may let you stop using eye drops altogether.

TearCare®

This treatment uses specially designed heating pads that send gentle heat into your eyelids to soften the blocked oil in your meibomian glands. This process allows an eye care specialist to then massage the softened oil to remove the blockages and restore normal gland function, leading to symptomatic relief.

BlephEx®

This treatment uses a small handheld device with a tiny rotating brush to deeply clean the edges of your eyelids and eyelashes, removing biofilm debris as well as dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells. It reduces inflammation and eye redness and helps restore healthy meibomian gland function. Treatment a few times a year prevents oil and debris buildup to keep the gland opening clear.

Lumenis IPL

Inflammation around the eyes can cause your meibomian glands to stop working properly. It can also affect blood flow to the area. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses pulses of light set to a specific wavelength to calm inflammation around the eyes and restore normal tear film function. As an added bonus, IPL also reduces dark spots, redness, and dilated blood vessels to improve the appearance of the skin around the eyes.

Is there any downtime after dry eye treatment?

Our dry eye treatment options do not require any downtime. You can return to your usual activities immediately, including work or your exercise routine. After IPL treatment, you may be told to stay out of direct sunlight or wear a hat and sunglasses for three days after treatment. Depending on the treatment, you may notice minor redness that fades quickly.

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We’d love to help you get all the information you need in order to make the best choice for your eyes. Schedule consultation today! Our staff is available and happy to answer your every question.

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What results will I see after dry eye treatment?

Many people experience immediate dry eye relief after treatment. Others may experience a more gradual improvement over the following few days or weeks. Some people no longer need eye drops after treatment, depending on the severity of dry eye. Most treatments require a few maintenance sessions a year, depending on how often your glands become clogged and when your symptoms return. We will develop a custom schedule that keeps your eyes comfortable.

Am I a candidate for dry eye treatment?

Almost anyone with red eyes, irritation, and constant tearing can benefit from some form of in-office dry eye treatment. However, only a consultation can determine the cause of your dry eyes and the best way to treat them. You may need to reschedule your treatment if you have an infection in or around the eye area. These non-invasive treatments are suitable for the vast majority of individuals with dry eye problems.