If you have dry eye disease, you may suffer from symptoms like blurred vision, stinging or burning, a “gritty” sensation in your eyes and eye fatigue. This happens because the eyes don’t produce adequate tears. Not only does dry eye disease cause discomfort, but if you don’t seek treatments for dry eye, the condition can also damage your eyes and endanger your eyesight.
Fortunately, you don’t have to simply “live with” the condition. There are new, cutting-edge treatments that can reduce or eliminate your symptoms, and our dry eye experts at Florida Eye Specialists are here to help. That includes offering our free, comprehensive guide to dry eyes, which we encourage you to read.
An Overview of Dry Eye Treatments
If you have dry eye disease, you should be aware that there are different types of dry eye. The first step we take in providing dry eye treatment is to determine what factors are causing or worsening your lack of tear production.
Eye irritation and inflammation tend to occur in cycles. We help you break that pattern by identifying and addressing the underlying problem.
First, our providers carefully examine your eyes. They assess features like eyelid margins, meibomian glands, tear production, tear ducts and tear quality. Based on our findings, we develop the treatment plan that will be most effective for your condition.
Your personalized plan will include one or more of several proven treatments, including:
- Lid hygiene measures, such as warm compresses and eyelid massage
- Artificial tears and gels
- Medicated dry eye drops
- Light therapy (IPL, or intense pulsed light)
- Punctal plugs
- Moisture chamber goggles
Our providers, including Florida Eye Specialists Dry Eye lead, Dr. Kimberly Riordan, may also prescribe scleral contact lenses. These large-diameter, gas-permeable, rigid lenses can be beneficial in correcting dry eye conditions.
LipiFlow® for Dry Eye
One of the specialty treatments we prescribe is called LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation. This therapy applies gentle, directed energy to affected meibomian glands.
The controlled warmth and massaging help open blocked glands. They can then resume their function of providing lipids your eyes need to produce tear film. When combined with regular at-home care, LipiFlow® is an excellent option for people who haven’t had success with drops or medications.
BlephEx® for Dry Eye
Blepharitis is a condition that can cause dry eyes. Excess bacteria at the base of the eyelids inflames the eyelid margins. You may experience eyelid itchiness, redness, puffiness, and crusting if you have blepharitis. You may also have frequent styes, watery eyes, or eye discharge.
BlephEx® treatment is a deep cleaning of the eyelid margins. Our providers perform the treatment in approximately 10 minutes using a handheld device. BlephEx® significantly reduces blepharitis symptoms.
PROKERA® for Dry Eye
Some people suffer from chronic dry eye due to irritation of their corneas (the surface of their eyes). PROKERA® is a treatment that uses small devices like contact lenses to rejuvenate the corneas and help them return to their normal, healthy state. A recent survey found that 93% of patients reported reduced symptoms after this treatment.
PROKERA® is the only therapeutic device for treating eye inflammation that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved.
Take Action Today to Protect Your Vision and Get Relief
If you suffer from gritty, tired, or uncomfortable dry eyes, it’s time for a change. Your provider at Florida Eye Specialists can help you find the right, personalized treatment for you.
Florida Eye Specialists is the area’s only Dry Eye Center of Excellence. Our team of 20 eye doctors are board-certified, fellowship-trained and at the top of their fields. Plus, we have over 700+ 5-star reviews from patients who trusted us with their care.
Our dry eye experts utilize the latest, cutting-edge technology to create the best individualized treatments for patients. Once you meet with our specialists, clear vision and pain relief are in sight.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.