What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye or dry eye syndrome happens when the surface of your eyes has a tear film imbalance. For most people, this occurs when the tears don’t produce enough tears or because the meibomian glands have become blocked. A healthy tear has three components: water, oil, and mucous.
Meibomian glands are located in the eyelids. They are tiny oil glands that release the oil, which coats the surface of the eye.
If the meibomian glands become blocked, they can’t produce the oil that’s necessary for having a healthy or stable tear film. When this happens, it’s a condition called meibomian gland disorder (MGD).
How do I know if I have Dry Eye Syndrome?
You may be suffering from dry eyes if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Burning or stinging
- Watery eyes
- Itchy or gritty feeling
- Fluctuating vision
- Discomfort with Contact Lenses
What are the causes of Dry Eye?
Dry Eye is caused by decreased moisture on the surface of your eye resulting from either Meibomian Gland Disease or Blepharitis.
You’re at higher risk for dry eye if you do the following:
- Wear contact lenses
- Spend time on computers, tablets, or smartphones
- Have Rosacea
If your eyes are dry, it’s important to understand the root cause of what is making them dry to treat them.
Dry Eye Treatment Options
LipiFlow
LipiFlow is an FDA approved device that provides patients with both inner and outer lid therapy. This 12-minute in-office procedure uses thermal heat and massage to your eyelids unblocking meibomian glands with gentle, pulsating pressure. This massages out any liquified blockages in the glands, allowing your tear film to stabilize and go back to normal.
Broad Band Light Therapy (BBL)
A common dermatology procedure used to treat patients with rosacea, sun damage, and broken blood vessels is one of the most innovative ways to treat dry eye disease. BBL uses the energy from the broadband light technology constricting the blood vessels and warming the meibomian glands. BBL is followed by a manual expression of the meibomian glands.
Exfoliative Treatment: BlephEx™
BlephEx is an in-office treatment for patients with Blepharitis. This procedure removes excess bacteria, biofilm, and bacterial toxins. For active cases of blepharitis, you should have BlephEx ™repeated every 4 months.
At Home Treatment Options
We offer the following at-home treatment options available at any of our nine locations.
Remember, your Clemson Eye doctor can help you develop a dry eye treatment plan that is right for you.
For more information call 855-654-2020 today or click here to schedule an appointment.
