How to Treat Dry Eye

How do you treat dry eye?

 

Dry eyes can happen for a variety of reasons and are a result of hydration not being kept on the eyeball surface. This occurs frequently because the oil glands (meibomian glands) aren’t working as well or have stopped working to produce the oil that maintains the tear film on the eye. This layer of oil holds moisture on the eyeball.

 

Dry eyes can also be a result of things like environment, medications, aging, gender, medical conditions, allergies, and chemicals your eyes are exposed to (makeup, eye drop preservative, creams).

 

Symptoms of dry eye can include:

 

-itchiness

-irritation

-blurred vision

-redness

-sensation of wanting to keep eyes closed

-excessive tearing 

-sensation of something in your eye

-hard time wearing or keeping contact lenses in

-difficulty with night driving

-eye fatigue 

 

Complications of dry eye if left untreated can include eye infections, ocular surface disease, and vision loss. (Hint: if you think your eyes are dry they likely are - and booking an exam with a provider well versed in dry eye treatment is highly recommended.)

 

Sometimes people aren’t even aware that their eyes are dry and it is causing these complications - this happens frequently in those with less eye sensitivity (like long-time contact lens wearers.)

 

Up until recently most treatments for dry eye have really only treated the symptoms of the disease, not the source. These include: eye drops, lid margin hygiene, warm compresses, and nutrition supplements such as Omega 3s. These treatments can be helpful at making you feel better but have to be constantly repeated in order to work.

 

We have in-office treatments that can help restore your meibomian glands into working order again, decrease inflammation and help your body to heal. These include:

 

IPL (intense pulse light)

This uses two different wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and target inflammation below the surface. It reduces redness and decreases vessel inflammation.

RF (radio frequency)

This stimulates your body into rejuvenating the oil glands back to working order. Results help your body to help itself maintain tear film and hydration on your eyeballs.

 

PRP (platelet rich plasma) eyedrops

Can be a fantastic way to heal the body while using your own blood and growth factors. There have been many studies showing that PRP utilized as eye drops can help regenerate healthy tear film and treat ocular surface disorders.

 

Think you might have dry eye and want to see an expert? We’re here for you. Call or text our office to book your appointment now. Downtown 206-467-1006 or Eastlake 206-632-2237


 

Helpful Articles
Roya1234 none 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Closed Closed https://pay.balancecollect.com/m/eyesonyou 2066322237 2066323811 2300 Eastlake Ave. E #110,
Seattle WA 98102 https://maps.app.goo.gl/68SqD9hg94qs6jQH9 8:00 AM - 4:00PM By Appointment 8:00 AM - 4:00PM By Appointment 8:30 AM - 3:00PM Closed Closed