Dry Eyes + Aesthetics
Patient information
What is Dry eye?
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and results when there is a decrease in the production of tears that moisten, cleanse and protect the eyes.
Your eyes are moistened by two different types of tears: lubricating tears and reflex tears. Lubricating tears are produced continuously to moisturize your eyes and contain natural infection fighting agents. Reflex tears are produced in response to sudden irritation (smoke, onions, and foreign particles), injury or emotion. Although irritation from dry eye can trigger reflex tears which flood the eye, reflex tears do not have the proper lubricating composition.
Dry eye syndrome results when there is a decrease in the production of tears that moisten, cleanse and protect the eyes. This eye problem often results as people age and environmental factors such as extended computer use and lack of certain nutrition. Dry eye syndrome can also be triggered by hormonal changes and the use of birth control pills and many medications. Inflammation has been shown to be highly associated with dry eyes and may have a neurological factor that leads to damage to the surface of the eye.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic, diffuse abnormality of the meibomian glands most often associated with inflammation of the eyelids, lashes, rosacea and more. Meibomian glands are oil producing glands in the eyelid margins of both your upper and lower eyelids. These glands produce the oil which comprises the outermost layer of your tears. This oily layer protects your tears from evaporating. When these oils are reduced, the evaporation of your tears from the surface of your eyes is increased and your eyes become drier much more quickly, especially when you are reading a computer screen, cell phone, tablet, document, watching T.V., driving, etc.
Why Should I Be Concerned About Dry Eyes?
Dry eye issues don’t just leave you with dry, scratchy, red eyes, these complications can lead to other serious issues. Untreated dry eyes can:
- Increase your risk of eye infections
- Lead to damage of the surface of your eye
- Make it difficult to see and perform everyday tasks
- Contact lens discomfort
The sooner you start treatment for dry eyes, the less likely you are to have these serious complications..
How can dry eyes be treated or managed?
At Perception Eyecare, we offer diagnostics and effective treatment of chronic dry eyes. Did you know there are more advanced and effective treatments than just drops alone?
- Medication decreasing eyelid inflammation
- Prescription eye drops to minimize cornea inflammation
- Prescription eye drops to stimulate tear production
- Punctal occlusion
- Scleral contact lenses to block outside air and allow for more tears to stay on the surface of the eyes
- daily fish oil supplements, warm compresses, foaming eyelid cleanser
- amniotic membrane placements
- Lumecca Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) by Envision
- Radiofrequency (RF) I-forma by Envision