Most people treat dry, itchy, irritated eyes with artificial tears, but did you know that there are more effective forms of dry eye treatment? At Eye Physicians Associates, our team of eye care experts offers the best treatment for dry eye in Milwaukee, WI. Get relief from chronic dry eye with punctal plugs, Lipiflow® treatment, surgery, or prescription medication. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye syndrome affects millions of people around the world. The common eye condition is related to the tear system of the eye and can cause mild to severe discomfort. It can occur infrequently in reaction to environmental factors, but most often it is a chronic condition. If not treated properly, dry eye can progress and permanently impact your ability to see clearly.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Some dry eye develops because the eye is not producing enough tears.
There are a wide variety of reasons for this:
- Natural changes from aging and menopause
- Side effects of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, beta blockers, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome and other autoimmune disorders
- Not blinking enough when concentrating on computers, TV and smartphone screens
- LASIK or other laser eye surgery
Another major cause of dry eye is the evaporation of the tear film, which can be activated by:
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Exposure to windy, smoky, or dry environments
- Rosacea (inflammatory skin disease)
Tear film is a protective coating of tears that is comprised of three layers:
- The outer oily (lipid) layer prevents the watery layer from draining too quickly. It is produced by the Meibomian glands.
- The middle (aqueous) layer is watery and nourishes the eye with water soluble proteins. The aqueous layer is produced by the lacrimal glands.
- The inner (mucin) layer spreads the watery layer over the entire eye.
Each layer of tear film works together to protective and lubricate the eyes, reduce your risk of eye infection, wash away foreign particles, and maintain the overall health of your eyes.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
- Scratchy feeling
- Blurry vision
- Eye pain
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Redness
- Excessive tearing
- Contact lens discomfort
- Mucous buildup around the eye
Patients need to have a thorough eye examination and evaluation by an eye care specialist to determine the reason for their symptoms. Diagnosing the underlying cause of the dry eye symptoms will help your doctor determine the most effective treatment for you.
Tests for Dry Eye
In order to diagnose the reason for your dry eye symptoms, your doctor may perform some special tests. These could assess the volume and quality of your tears, as well as measure how long it takes the eye to make tears.
Your eye doctor may use any of the following tests to check for dry eye:
- A Schirmer test demonstrates whether the eyes are having trouble making tears. After numbing the eye, the doctor puts thin strips of litmus paper in the eye. The strips can measure how long it takes for moisture to come out of the eye.
- Epithelial staining involves inserting eye drops containing dye, which shows how long it takes for tears to dry.
- During a Meibomian Gland Evaluation, the doctor will press on the glands of the eyelid to see if oil is being secreted normally.
It’s also important to provide your doctor with a brief medical history, as that may reveal lifestyle and environmental triggers that could be the cause of your dry eye syndrome.
Treatments for Dry Eye
Mild dry eye symptoms can often be relieved by simple lifestyle changes or non-prescription treatments:
- Applying a warm washcloth over the eyes every few hours
- Use over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops. Preservative-free drops are recommended when used frequently (4 times a day or more)
- Apply artificial tear gels and ointments at bedtime
- Clean with eyelid scrubs to reduce bacteria
- Take short breaks and frequently blink your eyes when reading and using the computer
- Ask your physician to change your prescription medications to reduce side effects
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect your eyes from wind
- Stay hydrated
- Use a humidifier in dry environments
- Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet
- Quit smoking
Prescription Medications
Your doctor may recommend prescription eye drops that can be used in combination with, or instead of, artificial tears.
- Restasis and Xiidra both contain ingredients that decrease inflammation and help the eye produce more natural tears. Some patients experience a burning sensation at first, but this usually subsides. These drops may take a few months of daily use to be effective.
- Steroid eye drops are sometimes recommended in conjunction with artificial tears or other eyedrops. One advantage is that they can reduce inflammation faster than drugs like Restasis. Doctors usually begin prescribing mild doses but may increase the strength in cases of severe inflammation. Short-term use is generally very safe, but complications such as increased eye pressure or cataracts can develop from extended use of steroid drops.
Punctal Plugs
There are a variety of tiny punctal plugs that are used to plug the tear ducts and retain tear film in the eye. No bigger than a grain of rice, punctal plugs can be inserted during a simple office procedure.
Lipiflow® Treatments
Lipiflow® is an FDA approved medical device that is used to treat blockage of the Meibomian glands. It uses heat and pressure to stimulate the release of the oily layer of tear film.
Surgery
Permanent closure of the tear ducts with thermal puncture cautery may be recommended for very severe cases of dry eye.
Dry Eye Diagnosis and Treatment, Milwaukee, WI
Tired of itchy, painful eyes and blurred vision? Contact Eye Physicians Associates, S.C. to schedule a personalized evaluation for dry eye treatment in Milwaukee.