Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease
In most cases, diagnosing dry eye disease involves a thorough eye examination and a discussion of your symptoms. On some occasions, the eye doctor might decide to do a test that measures how quickly your tears evaporate from the surface of your eye. The procedure is simple: your doctor will ask you to keep your eyes open after blinking, and they will observe and measure the time it takes for the tears to break up.
This test is called a Tear Break Up Time (TBUT) test. A low TBUT generally indicates a lipid (aka oil) deficiency in the tears resulting from oil glands in the eyelids not functioning properly. In another type of test, a Schirmer test, a strip of filter paper is placed under the eyelid while you close your eye for five minutes. After the test, the eye doctor will measure the moisture on the strip. Schirmer tests are conducted less frequently than TBUT tests.
Dry Eye Treatments in Grove
Treatment for dry eyes varies based on the cause and how severe it is. You can often relieve dry eye symptoms with artificial tears or lubricating eye drops, which supplement your natural tears.
If your symptoms persist, contact Eyecare of Grand Lake to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors. They can prescribe specialized eye drops or steroids to stimulate tear production or offer short-term relief for your needs.
More severe cases of dry eyes might require a punctal insert, a tiny insert containing a slow-release lubricating substance placed inside the lower eyelid. Since dry eye syndrome is often related to eyelid inflammation known as blepharitis, your Eyecare of Grand Lake eye doctor may prescribe a heated hot compress mask, specialty eyelid scrubs, and sometimes an antibiotic ointment.
Finally, punctal plugs might be recommended for severe cases, which are inserted into the tear ducts to reduce the tear drainage in your eyes to keep them from drying out.
Introducing OptiLIGHT: A Technological Approach to Dry Eye Treatment
Lumenis, the inventor of IPL, presents the first and only IPL FDA-approved for managing dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction.
OptiLIGHT elevates dry eye management with Lumenis’ patented Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT) and user-centered design. Get the safe, precise, elegant procedure you want and the comfortable, effective therapy your patients need to manage dry eye disease with OptiLIGHT.
Stop the Vicious Cycle of Inflammation
The OptiLIGHT technology offers a comprehensive approach to treating dry eye disease through targeted actions. These actions include reducing the presence of pro-inflammatory mediators, thus inhibiting inflammation. Additionally, OptiLIGHT significantly enhances tear breakup time and reduces osmolarity, crucial factors for maintaining optimal eye moisture.
We effectively address abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation, promoting relief. Furthermore, OptiLIGHT aims to restore the health and functionality of meibomian glands, which is integral for maintaining tear quality. Lastly, by decreasing the population of Demodex mites, known for promoting infection and increasing the bacterial load on eyelids, OptiLIGHT offers a multifaceted solution to managing dry eye symptoms.
Dry Eye Relief in Grove
While dry eye disease does not permanently damage your vision, suffering from dry, itchy, and uncomfortable eyes is unnecessary. Effectively managing this chronic condition involves regular treatment. At Eyecare of Grand Lake, we can work with you to develop a long-term plan to ensure optimal eye comfort for the future.