Learn about Dry Eye and Treatment Options
We are committed to healthy vision. As Dry Eye experts we offer specialized attention through our Dry Eye Clinic. We understand your frustration with the limitations of traditional therapies and are committed to bringing you the best technology available to treat this uncomfortable disease – so that you can enjoy the greatest possible relief.
We can determine the cause of your symptoms and apply therapy appropriate to your specific needs that may make your daily discomfort a thing of the past. If you suffer from any of these symptoms from time to time you may benefit from a visit to our Dry Eye Clinic.
- Dryness
- Discomfort and irritation
- Grittiness or feeling of a foreign body in the eye
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Tearing
- Redness
- Discharge
- Tiredness
- Itching
- Vision disturbance
- Sensitivity to light
What is Dry Eye?
Dry Eye is a long-term chronic disease that takes years to develop- and may worsen if left untreated. More than 100 Million people have Dry Eye. There are two main forms of the disease: Evaporative and Aqueous deficient.
Evaporative Dry Eye
Evaporative Dry Eye accounts for 86% of all dry eye cases is caused by blockages in the Meibomian glands located in your eyelids. This condition of obstructed glands is known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction(MGD).
These glands are responsible for creating the lipid(oli) layer of tears. When the glands aren’t working as they should, you don’t have enough tear film oil.
Your tears- which lubricate your eyes and keep them comfortable-evaporate too quickly. An insufficient oil layer can cause your tears to evaporate 4-16 times faster.
Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye
Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye occurs when the lacrimal glands do not create a sufficient amount of aqueous (water) to keep the eyes moist
How do we determine if you are suffering from Dry Eye?
In our Dry Eye Clinic we will conduct a series of evaluations and determine the likely causes of your Dry Eye Symptoms. LipiView takes extremely detailed images of your eye’s tear film.
The tear film can be clearly seen as an array of colors that are reflected when a light source is directed towards the front surface of the eye. Readings are instantly calculated and displayed on the LipiView monitor.
What treatment is available?
The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System is a significant technological shift managing Evaporative dry eye. With a single procedure, applying a combination of directed heat and pulsatile pressure, many find a single treatment effective in relieving the blockage of their Meibomian glands.
LipiFlow treatment is clinically proven with sustained results. In a clinical study about 79% of patients reported an improvement in overall dry eye symptoms after a single LipiFlow treatment.
Depending on the severity of your specific condition and your response to treatment, you may need to repeat the LipiFlow treatment periodically as your symptoms return over time.
*This treatment is not covered by insurance and is considered an out of pocket expense.