Suffering from dry eye can be more than just mildly annoying. It is often a chronic condition that can result in significant discomfort and cause visual disturbances that interfere with your daily activities.
Symptoms of dry eye may include:
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms of dry eye, it is important to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam. During this visit, our eye doctor will check your symptoms, review your overall health history and discuss which medications you are taking that may be contributing to this condition. We will also examine your eyelids, evaluate your blink dynamics and inspect the cornea of your eyes. As part of this evaluation, we will look for any environmental factors that may be putting you at risk for dry eye. Diagnostic tests to measure the quantity and quality of your tears will be performed as needed.
The treatment for dry eye depends on the severity of the symptoms and the presence of any underlying conditions. However, in all cases, the overall objective remains the same. Treatment must restore a sufficient amount of tears to relieve eye discomfort, minimize dryness, and protect eye health.
While artificial tears and soothing ointments work well in many situations, more advanced or unresponsive cases often require other approaches to care. Additional treatment options can include anti-inflammatory eye drops or tablets, medications to boost tear production or unblock oil glands, eye inserts that work like artificial tears, procedures to conserve tears and prevent them from draining away, special contact lenses, intense pulsed light therapy and eyelid massage.
Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), occurs when your tears cannot provide adequate eye lubrication. This can happen due to several reasons:
Aging: As you age, your body may produce fewer tears.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to experience dry eyes, especially during menopause and pregnancy.
Environmental factors: Exposure to smoke, wind, or air conditioning can evaporate tears quickly, leading to dry eyes.
Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
Dry eye syndrome can cause a range of symptoms that may vary in severity from person to person. Some common signs include:
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can be quite bothersome and may affect your daily activities. If you experience any of these signs, it's essential to consult our optometry team at Warwick Optical for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
At Warwick Optical, we use a combination of methods to accurately diagnose dry eye syndrome:
Medical history: Our doctors will review your health history and any medications you're taking that might contribute to dry eyes.
Eye examination: A comprehensive eye exam helps us assess the severity of your symptoms and check for signs of dryness, such as reduced tear volume or increased inflammation.
Tear production tests: We may perform tests like Schirmer's test or Phenol Red Thread Test to measure your tear production. These involve placing a small strip of paper or thread under your lower eyelid to see how much moisture it absorbs in a set amount of time.
Tear quality assessment: Using special dyes and microscopes, we can evaluate the quality and composition of your tears to determine if they are functioning correctly.
Once we have gathered all the necessary information, our doctors will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Adopting certain lifestyle habits can help alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. Here are some strategies you might find helpful:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain proper hydration and support overall tear production.
Avoid irritants: Limit your exposure to smoke, dust, wind, and air conditioning, as these can evaporate tears quickly. Use protective eyewear when necessary, such as sunglasses or safety goggles.
Blink more often: Consciously remind yourself to blink regularly, especially when using computers or reading for extended periods. Blinking helps spread tears evenly across your eyes and prevents them from evaporating too quickly.
Use artificial tears: Over-the-counter eye drops can provide temporary relief by supplementing your natural tears. Choose preservative-free options to minimize potential irritation, especially if you need to use them frequently.
Apply warm compresses: Gently heat a clean washcloth or eyecup with warm water and apply it to your closed eyes for 5-10 minutes several times a day. This can help unblock oil glands in your eyelids, promoting better tear quality.
Avoid contact lenses (temporarily): If your dry eye symptoms are severe or worsening, you might need to temporarily discontinue wearing contact lenses and switch to glasses until your symptoms improve.
At Warwick Optical, we offer various treatment options for managing dry eye syndrome. The best course of action will depend on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms:
Over-the-counter remedies
Prescription medications
In-office procedures
Punctal plugs are tiny, semi-permanent devices inserted into the tear ducts (puncta) at the corners of your eyes. These small, comfortable plugs create a blockade, preventing tears from draining too quickly away from the surface of your eyes. By retaining more tears on the eye's surface, punctal plugs help alleviate dryness and discomfort associated with dry eye syndrome.
There are two main types of punctal plugs:
Collagen: Made from purified cow collagen, these bioabsorbable plugs dissolve naturally over time (typically within 6–9 months). They are often used for temporary relief or to test if punctal plugs might be beneficial before committing to a more permanent solution.
Silicone: These semi-permanent plugs are made from medical-grade silicone and can last for several years. Silicone plugs may be removed or adjusted as needed, but typically require a professional visit to do so.
Punctal plugs are an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for managing dry eye symptoms. Our optometry team at Warwick Optical can evaluate your eyes and determine if punctal plugs might be the right choice for you. We will discuss both collagen and silicone options and help you decide on the best approach for your individual needs.
LipiFlow is a revolutionary in-office procedure designed to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common cause of dry eyes. MGD occurs when the tiny oil glands in your eyelids become clogged or blocked, leading to poor-quality tears and dry eye symptoms. The LipiFlow system uses a combination of heat and gentle massaging pulsations to unclog these crucial glands, promoting better tear quality and reducing dry eye discomfort.
The procedure is performed using a single-use sterile disposable tip that fits over your eyelid. Here's how it works:
LipiFlow is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for managing dry eye symptoms caused by MGD. Our optometry team at Warwick Optical can evaluate your eyes and determine if LipiFlow might be the right choice for you. In many cases, patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment.
Thermal pulsation therapy (also known as LipiFlow) is an in-office procedure designed to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a common cause of dry eyes. Like LipiFlow, thermal pulsation therapy uses a combination of heat and gentle massaging pulsations to unclog the tiny oil glands in your eyelids, promoting better tear quality and reducing dry eye discomfort.
The primary difference between LipiFlow and other thermal pulsation therapies lies in their design and methodology:
LipiFlow: Developed by TearScience, this FDA-cleared device uses a unique, single-use, sterile disposable tip that fits over your eyelid. It applies a precise combination of gentle heat (up to 108°F) and pulsating pressure to the meibomian glands for about 12 minutes per eye.
Other thermal pulsation therapies: These alternative treatments, such as iLux or LipiFlow competitors, may use different designs and heat application methods. Some systems might require multiple treatments or longer procedure times compared to LipiFlow.
While the underlying concept of using heat and pulsations to treat MGD is similar among these therapies, our optometry team at Warwick Optical can help you understand the unique features and advantages of each option. We will evaluate your eyes and discuss your specific needs to determine which treatment is best suited for managing your dry eye symptoms.
In addition to the lifestyle changes mentioned earlier, several home remedies can help alleviate dry eye symptoms. These simple, natural approaches may provide temporary relief or complement professional treatments:
Warm compress: Apply a warm compress (such as a damp cloth heated in hot water) to your closed eyelids for 5-10 minutes, several times a day. This can help unclog oil glands and promote better tear quality.
Eyelid scrub: Gently cleanse your eyelids with an over-the-counter eyelid hygiene product or a mixture of baby shampoo and warm water to remove debris and bacteria that may contribute to dryness or infection. This should be done once or twice a week.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish (salmon, tuna), walnuts, and flaxseeds, into your diet can help reduce inflammation and improve overall tear quality. You may also consider taking a fish oil supplement.
Eye exercises: Performing gentle eye exercises, such as blinking rapidly for a few seconds or rolling your eyes in a circular motion, can help stimulate tear production and spread tears evenly across your eyes.
While home remedies can provide some relief from dry eye symptoms, it's essential to consult our optometry team at Warwick Optical if you experience persistent or worsening discomfort. Our professionals can diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eyes and recommend appropriate treatments for long-term management.
Contact lens wearers with dry eye syndrome may experience increased discomfort due to the drying effect that lenses can have on the ocular surface. If you find that your contact lenses are exacerbating your dry eye symptoms, consider these tips:
Switch to a different lens type: Consult our optometry team at Warwick Optical to explore alternative lens materials or designs better suited for dry eyes. For example, silicone hydrogel lenses allow more oxygen to reach the cornea and may be more comfortable for people with dry eyes.
Use lubricating eye drops: Over-the-counter artificial tears can help keep your eyes moisturized throughout the day. Preservative-free options are preferable if you need to use them frequently, as they can cause less irritation than multi-use bottles containing preservatives.
Consider daily disposable lenses: Disposable contact lenses that you discard after each use can help minimize protein buildup and reduce irritation, making them a suitable choice for people with dry eyes.
Increase wear time or switch to glasses temporarily: If your dry eye symptoms are severe or worsening, you might need to take a break from contact lenses and wear glasses instead. This can give your eyes a chance to heal and recover before trying contacts again.
Schedule regular follow-ups with our optometry team: Regular check-ups allow us to monitor your ocular health and adjust your contact lens prescription or recommend changes as needed to help manage your dry eye symptoms effectively.
If you're experiencing persistent discomfort or difficulty wearing contact lenses due to dry eyes, don't hesitate to reach out to our optometry team at Warwick Optical. We are committed to helping you find the best solution for comfortable and safe contact lens wear.