What’s the best dry eye treatment?

While most of us experience dry eyes occasionally, chronic dry eye can be a frustrating condition that affects your daily life. People with this condition experience red eyes, irritation, foreign body sensation, and blurry vision that are only temporarily improved with eye drops. Dr. Wu and her team offer a range of in-office dry eye treatments that can end the need for constant eye drops and provide long-lasting relief.

What is dry eye?

If you experience frequent dry eye symptoms, you often have a problem with the amount or quality of your tear film. The tear film is made up of several layers that lubricate and protect your eyes. Meibomian glands along the edges of the eyelids secrete the oil layer that keeps tears from evaporating, and problems with these glands are the most common cause of dry eye, although many other causes exist. Wearing contact lenses can also cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.

What’s the best dry eye treatment?

The first step in treatment begins with a full assessment of the factors contributing to your dry eye condition so we can treat it most effectively. Since dry eye has many causes (multifactorial), we offer several treatment options that allow us to address the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms so you can experience long-lasting relief.

Lumenis IPL

IPL (intense pulsed light) is used to reduce inflammation around the eyes. Unlike steroids or other frequently prescribed dry eye medications, Lumenis IPL is drug-free, drop-free, and provides long-lasting results. It targets damaged or dilated blood vessels around the eyes to reduce swelling and allow your tear-producing glands to work better. Several sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

BlephEx®

When the edges of your eyelids become inflamed due to eye dandruff, the Meibomian glands that produce the oil film of your tears can become blocked or stop functioning. BlephEx® uses a tiny rotating sponge to micro-exfoliate the glands and remove debris. This treatment reduces inflammation and restores your eye’s natural tears. Most people will benefit from occasional maintenance treatments.

TearCare®

TearCare® is a gentle treatment that uses warmth to unblock the meibomian glands. It breaks down the hardened clumps of oil that block the glands, restoring their normal function. Your tears no longer evaporate faster than they should, so your eyes stay lubricated and refreshed. As with other methods, you may need a repeat treatment if your symptoms come back.

Schedule Consultation

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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Treatments for Contact Lens Wearers

Your contact lenses may be causing or worsening your dry eye symptoms, but they also help you see clearly. The best solution for many people is to get rid of contact lenses by correcting their vision with a procedure such as LASIK or EVO ICL (implantable collamer lens).

Is there any downtime after dry eye treatment?

Our quick, non-invasive dry eye treatments allow you to return to your daily routine without any downtime. For people with contacts who choose to have laser eye surgery or another procedure, downtime is usually one to two days. Dry eye relief can take up to a few weeks to become noticeable after treatment.

Am I a good candidate for dry eye treatment?

A consultation will allow Dr. Wu to determine which type of dry eye treatment will work best for you. Treatments to address inflammation and tear quality will not address dryness caused by a medication or underlying medical condition. However, Dr. Wu will work with you to help you feel more comfortable with a customized treatment plan.