Hughes Eye Group offers advanced treatment for Dry Eye patients. Dry Eye occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly. Depending on the causes of dry eye, our doctors may use various approaches to relieve the symptoms.
In addition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to pain, ulcers, or scars on the cornea and some loss of vision.
The first priority is to determine if a disease is the underlying cause of the dry eye.
Dry eye symptoms:
- Stinging or burning of the eye
- A sandy or gritty feeling as if something is in the eye
- Episodes of excess tears following very dry eye periods
- A stringy discharge from the eye
- Pain and redness of the eye
- Episodes of blurred vision
- Uncomfortable contact lenses wear
- Decreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention
- Eye fatigue
Meibomian Gland Dysfuntion
Many patients suffer from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) which can mimic or exacerbate dry eyes. MGD occurs when the protective oil that normally flows from the eyelid slows or stops. Over time, blockage and structural damage of the glands occurs. When these glands are not healthy, it causes the tear film to rapidly evaporate, leaving the eye’s surface exposed. This exposure can cause discomfort that increases over time and impacts quality of vision.
Tear Osmolarity Testing
Tear Osmolarity Testing is now considered the “gold standard” of objective dry eye diagnosis and the single best marker of disease severity. This test is done to initially stage the severity of your dry eyes in order to create a treatment plan, then repeated periodically to determine effectiveness of the treatments with time. The test is done in the office and is quick and painless, obtaining a reading from your eyes tears within seconds.
Lipiview and Lipiflow
LipiView imaging helps to determine if the eyelid glands are contributing to your ocular surface symptoms. If so, LipiFlow treatment incorporates heat and massage to evacuate the blockages from the eyelid glands, allowing the glands to resume oil production. Lipiflow is the only FDA approved treatment using thermal pulsating heat for this condition.
Medications
Topical medications in the form of eyedrops are a standard treatment for most types of dry eye. Your doctor will help determine if an over the counter drop or a prescription drop is necessary to treat your condition based on the severity of your dry eye. In some cases, patients may benefit from oral nutritional supplements to aid in the treatment of dry eye as well.
Lid Hygeine & Lid Wipes
Ocular hygiene is one of the first steps to improve your tear film and the comfort of your eyes. Lid wipes are extremely beneficial to clean the eye lids and base of the eye lashes. You may order lid wipes, approved by the Hughes Eye Group doctors, shipped directly to your home at the link here.
Bruder Mask
The Bruder Mask is a clinically proven and natural way to treat chronic Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. The Bruder eye compress warms the internal glands of the eyelid to release natural oils onto the ocular surface, providing relief for patients and slowing tear evaporation. Hughes Eye Group offers Bruder Masks for purchase at our Jackson office location.
A punctal plug is a small device inserted into the tear duct (puncta) of the inner eye lid to block the duct from draining tears. For certain types of dry eye, this device may provide relief by letting the natural tears remain on the surface of the eye longer. This quick and painless technique is done in the office during an examination. You doctor will determine if punctal plugs are a good treatment option for your type of dry eye.
Click here to request an appointment at Hughes Eye Group.