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How to Find Lasting Dry Eye Relief
You oil a squeaky door hinge when it sticks, or take a drink of water when you feel dehydrated. But what do you do when your eyes aren’t getting sufficient lubrication from your natural tears?
Dry eye disease is a common condition that affects almost 16 million people. Its uncomfortable symptoms can make it hard to see, work, and get through the day. That doesn’t mean you should simply put up with the reduced quality of life that dry eye causes, however.
Caring and experienced ophthalmologist Dr. Vicki Lin treats many patients with dry eye disease, allowing them to live comfortably again. At iSight Vision Care, we offer a wide range of services, from routine eye exams and prescription glasses and contact lenses to treatment for glaucoma, laser cataract surgery, and more.
We customize our care plans to meet each patient’s unique needs, and are always happy to address questions and concerns around diagnoses, treatment plans, and home care strategies. Here’s what we want you to know about dry eye disease before you come see us.
What are the symptoms and causes of dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease causes a host of problematic symptoms that disrupt your life, including:
- Stinging
- Burning
- Scratchiness
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Feeling like something is in your eyes
- Eye fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Watering
This condition also makes it challenging to drive at night, and patients can have difficulty wearing contact lenses.
Dry eye disease is linked to problems with your tear film, which has three layers: fatty oils, aqueous liquid, and mucus. When everything works as it should, your eyes stay lubricated, but if a problem occurs with any of these layers, dry eye disease can develop.
Tear film dysfunction has multiple causes:
- Hormonal issues
- Autoimmune disease
- Eyelid inflammation
- Allergic eye disease
- Reduced tear production
- Increased tear evaporation
Aging, medical conditions, vitamin A deficiency, and some medications contribute to decreased tear production, as does corneal nerve desensitization related to using contact lenses and other factors.
Increased tear evaporation is associated with less frequent blinking (this happens either naturally, like when you use the computer or read, or can be caused by Parkinson’s disease), if your eyelids turn inward or outward, eye allergies, vitamin A deficiency, topical eye drop preservatives, and dry, windy, or smoky air. The problem also develops if you have a condition called posterior blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation).
The pain from dry eye disease is enough to seek treatment, but when it affects the way you work, drive, or the ability to use contact lenses, getting help is vital.
Unfortunately, living with untreated dry eye disease also puts you at risk for other eye problems, like eye infections, eye debris, corneal surface abrasion or corneal ulcers, and even vision loss.
Are there any solutions for dry eye disease that provide long-term relief?
Fortunately, Dr. Lin offers advanced dry eye disease treatments that enable you to enjoy reading, working, and seeing clearly again, without stinging, burning, watering, and other life-altering symptoms.
She may recommend:
1. Prescription eye drops for dry eye disease
Though over-the-counter drops are widely available for dry eye disease, they may not have been successful for you.
If this is the case, Dr. Lin can prescribe special drops that prompt your eyes to produce natural tears.
2. Autologous serum tear treatment
This is a lubricant that’s derived from your own blood. We harvest serum from your blood, dilute it with saline, and the result is a drop treatment that’s tailored uniquely for you. Its pH level and nutrients match yours, and it contains no potentially irritating preservatives.
Our patients have found that this treatment outperforms artificial tear products you can purchase.
3. Punctual plug treatment
These are tiny devices that are easily and painlessly inserted into your tear ducts here in our office, and they prevent unwanted tear drainage into your nose.
Because your tears stay in your eyes rather than exiting, you’re more comfortable and saved from dry eye symptoms. Your risk of an eye infection is also reduced.
Protect your eyes and restore your comfort
If you’ve been living with dry eye symptoms for too long, you deserve relief — and to lower your risk for harmful complications. During your consultation, Dr. Lin can determine the best combination of treatments for you.
To schedule an appointment with us, simply call our Fountain Valley office at 714-465-9978 or book with us online.
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