Dry Eye Disease

Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatments

Do your eyes burn or water? Are you experiencing an increased sensitivity to light? Do your eyes feel sandy or gritty? Do your eyelids feel heavier than usual?

Dry eye disease – when the tear ducts fail to provide sufficient moisture for the eyes – In addition to aging, dry eyes can occur due to many different medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders. It can also be a side effect of many medications like antihistamines, birth control pills, beta blockers, diuretics, and many more.

Because the causes of dry eyes can vary greatly, there are many different ways to treat the condition. Dr. Neena James, Dr. Gina Scott, and Dr. Lorraine Summerlin of 20/20 Eye Care have a great deal of experience diagnosing and treating dry eyes.

Diagnosis is made with specular microscopy, a quick and painless noninvasive technique in which a reflected-light microscope takes magnified images of the inner surface of the cornea. It is an excellent way to identify early warning signs of many different eye problems, including dry eyes.

Some of the more innovative treatment options for dry eyes offered at 20/20 Eye Care include:

• Punctal plugs, these tiny silicone devices are inserted into tear ducts to reduce tear drainage, increasing the surface moisture of the eye. The plugs are placed during an in-office procedure using a local anesthetic. They offer a long-term solution for dry eye disease.
• Serum tears are special eye drops created from a patient's own blood. The clear "serum" is separated from a patient's blood sample and diluted into a three-month supply of drops. Serum tears are effective, well-tolerated, and contain substances that just can't be found in synthetic eye drops.
• Radiofrequency treatments are a non-invasive procedure to improve your tear quality by increasing gland function around your eyes. Each treatment delivers radiofrequency energy to heat your skin on your face and around your eyes and leaves your skin glowing!
• IPL treatments reduce inflammation in and around your eyelids to help you produce high-quality tears. IPL can be used to even your skin tone by treating rosacea and reducing the dark spots. We offer in-office treatments with our esthetician who combines dry eye treatments with a spa-like experience.
• Eyelid cleansing treatments give your lids and lashes a deep cleansing so you can feel and see better! Your lids and lashes can get a build up of makeup, oil, and other debris which can cause inflammation and all around discomfort. This quick treatment can remove those irritants and leave you with comfortable, clean eyelids.

Don’t put up with dry eyes a moment longer! See the experts at 20/20 Eye Care for a proper diagnosis and the individualized treatment you need. Call (256) 536-4489 to make an appointment.