Dry Eye

Introduction to Dry Eye

Dry eye syndrome is a very common condition caused by either an insufficient amount of tears, or  poor quality of tears. There are some medications that can cause dry eye, such as antihistamines, certain antidepressants, and some blood pressure medications.

Environmental factors such as poor air quality, or tasks that require less blinking such as driving or reading can cause dry eye syndrome.

Treatments

There are multiple effective treatments for dry eye available at our offices.

Mild dry eye symptoms can be treated with eye drops that you can find at your pharmacy. If your symptoms are more persistent, your treatment options depend on what is causing your dry eye.

Some symptoms may suggest an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, so it is important for you to see an eye doctor if you have serious symptoms. Remember, dry eye is very common and our doctors at Premier Eye Clinic are experienced in the treatment of this condition.

Common symptoms of dry eye:

• Scratchy or gritty sensation
• Foreign body sensation in the eyes
• Watery Eyes
• Tired eyes
• Blurry vision after reading or computer use
• Itching and/or burning sensation
• Feels “pressure” or pain in the eye

It is important to remember there is currently no outright cure for dry eye, but the treatments are effective in managing symptoms and making dry eye syndrome more comfortable to live with.  Premier Eye Clinic encourages you to come in for an eye exam if you are experiencing any dry eye symptoms.

Dry Eye is more than an inconvenience. Dry Eye is a disease.

Many people suffer for years from the discomfort and pain of Dry Eye Disease Most try various products to manage their disease, and while many of the Over-The-Counter products can provide relief, it is just temporary symptom relief.

What is MGD?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of Dry Eye Disease. Dry Eye Disease is rarely due to a lack of the watery part of your tears. 86% of dry eye patients have MGD.

Healthy Meibomian glands that line your upper and lower eyelids secrete oil with every blink. Your Meibomian glands produce the oily part of the tear film needed to protect the surface of your eye by preventing the evaporation of the watery part of your tears. When this function is not working well, your eyes may feel dry. Keeping the function and structure of your Meibomian glands healthy before you become symptomatic is key, as MGD progresses over time.

What causes MGD?

MGD is caused by anatomical changes in the Meibomian glands If left untreated, MGD can become progressively worse over time.

• Computer/Device use
• Contact lens wear
• Allergies
• Eye Infections (such as styes)
• Reading/Watching TV
• Eye Surgery

• Glaucoma and chronic eye disease
• Climate
• Environment
• Poor blinking
• Medication
• Cosmetics that can clog glands

MGD? Talk To Your Doctor About TearScience® LipiFlow®

Dry Eyes? Don’t just treat your symptoms, Treat the Cause and MOVE FORWARD with MGD treatment with TearScience® LipiFlow®

For patients with MGD, TearScience® LipiFlow® significantly improves gland secretions and ocular surface symptoms including dry eye and less frequent or blurry vision.

• The treatment is non-invasive procedure performed in the comfort of your doctor’s office, only takes 12 minutes and can have long-lasting results5
• After initial anesthetic drops, no drugs required for TearScience® LipiFlow® treatment6
• Long-lasting results—many can see the continued benefit up to 12 months6
• 400,000 treatments worldwide—and growing7

Just 1 treatment increases mean gland secretion 3-fold and reduces more than 50% dry eye symptoms.

Treatment also increased patient comfortable contact lens wear time by approximately 4 hours on average per day.

TearScience® LipiFlow® treatment prior to cataract surgery improves mean dry eye symptoms and vision-related function scores post-surgery.