Dry eye is a common eye problem that can cause considerable discomfort. When dry eye symptoms make your eyes feel uncomfortable on a regular basis, help is available. Understanding how this condition is diagnosed and the available dry eye treatments can help you find effective relief.
The Diagnosis Process for Dry Eye
When visiting a dry eye doctor at Florida Eye Specialists, you’ll be asked to describe any symptoms you’ve been having. Dry eye symptoms can include dryness, redness and irritation in your eyes. In some cases, this condition can cause sensitivity to light, blurry vision and eye fatigue. Your eye doctor will check different parts of your eyes, including your eyelid margins and Meibomian glands, to diagnose dry eye and determine the cause.
You’ll also have the quality of your tears and tear production checked in order to come up with an effective treatment plan. This visit might include a comprehensive eye exam, a test to measure the volume of your tears, testing of your tears for inflammation and imaging of the oil glands in your eyelids. Your eye doctor might also take tear samples to look for indications of dry eye by way of measuring your tears osmolarity.
Treatment Options for Dry Eye
Dry eye treatments can provide you with relief from ongoing or severe symptoms. If you only have mild or occasional symptoms, over-the-counter eye drops might be all you need to use; however, you might need to try other treatments if you still experience symptoms.
Some treatments involve managing an underlying condition or other factors that can cause dry eye, such as addressing/treating any underlying autoimmune disorders or addressing/adjusting systemic medications that may be causing, exacerbating or contributing to your dry eye. Treatment options can be customized to help treat your specific type of dry eye for best results.
Options for dry eye treatment include warm compresses and other measures for eyelid hygiene, goggles for C-PAP users, moisture chamber goggles and artificial tears, ointments or gels. Serum eye drops, prescription medications, vitamins, punctal plugs and microblepharoexfoliation are other treatment options.
LipiFlow targets the affected glands, while ProKera helps heal damage to the cornea for chronic dry eye. Scleral contact lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses that can also be used to improve dryness. Treatment should focus on determining the cause and managing the underlying problem to ease symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Symptoms
You can make a few lifestyle changes to improve dry eye symptoms, such as using over-the-counter preservative free eye drops as needed. These drops can help keep your eyes moisturized, which helps reduce irritation and other symptoms of dry eye.
Washing your eyelids with eyelid cleansers recommended by your doctor and a warm compress can also help control inflammation and prevent discomfort. It is also important to wear protective eye wear when you are outside. This eyewear can provide your eyes with protection from exposure to wind, pollution and other factors that might contribute to dry eye.
When you suffer from dry eye, you can find relief through lifestyle changes and professional treatment. If you’ve been searching for ‘dry eye specialists near me’, Florida Eye Specialists can help. Schedule an appointment with the dry eye experts at Florida Eye Specialists.