What are Dry Eye Symptoms?
Dry eye is a painful condition that usually develops when the healthy tear film on your eyes is not producing enough tears to stay lubricated. Symptoms may include a scratchy feeling, burning, blurry vision, and pain while wearing contact lenses. Warm compresses, light therapy, artificial tears, special contact lenses, and prescription eye drops may offer some relief from dry eye syndrome, eye redness, and clear blurred vision. Still, if your dry eye symptoms persist, we offer the following in-office treatments for addressing the tear glands at Advanced Eye Surgeons.
In-Office Treatments from Our Eye Doctors
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are small devices placed in the tear ducts to prevent the lubricating fluid from draining, trap moisture on the surface of the eye, and increase tear production. They can either be made from plastic as a long-term solution or from collagen, which the body will absorb within a few months. This procedure is not painful, and your doctor may numb your tear ducts before inserting the plugs.
Amniotic Membrane
Amniotic membranes are an innovative treatment for dry eyes that uses stem cell tissue to maintain and improve the health of your eyes. Ethically sourced stem cells have healing and growth factors that prevent corneal damage caused by dry eye. These membranes are applied to the ocular surface and naturally absorbed into the corneal tissue within one week of their placement.
TearCare
TearCare is an FDA-approved procedure that uses heat to treat dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This condition is caused by a blockage in the meibomian glands that produce oil on the tear film layer. When these glands are blocked, the tear film cannot be lubricated, and this results in decreased tear production and painful dry eye symptoms. The heat generated by the small TearCare device gently unclogs the glands to stimulate oil production
Blephex
Blephex removes bacteria and harmful toxins in the eye to maintain healthy eyes and can treat many eye diseases, including eyelid inflammation and dry eye. A small micro sponge is used to gently remove debris that may be clogging the oil-producing glands along the lash line. This is a quick and painless treatment that can be received every 4-6 months to prevent the harmful biofilm from redeveloping.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements promote overall health and can maintain the health of your eyes to prevent or treat dry eyes. Vitamin A keeps the tear film smooth and promotes the formation of tears that lubricate the eyes and keep them moist. Vitamin D reduces inflammation and B12 relieves burning – two of the common painful symptoms of dry eye. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that can also reduce inflammation and the rate of tear evaporation.
Dry Eye FAQs
How long does dry eye treatment take to work?
Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?
What is the most effective treatment for severe dry eye?
Are dry eye treatments painful?
How often do I need dry eye treatments?
Schedule Your Appointment
If you want to relieve painful dry eye disease, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gupta at one of our offices in Boca Raton or Tamarac, FL. She can discuss your treatment options in more depth and suggest the best one for you based on your symptoms and comfort level with the suggested treatment.
CONTACT US
If you have a question or would like to schedule an appointment, please fill out and submit our online form.
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