Simple Eyes
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Dry Eye Treatments

There are many treatments for Dry Eye based on the different causes you may have dry eyes.  Your Eye Care Professional should be able to tell you what is causing your Dry Eye in an evaluation. In general avoiding fans, using a humidifier, taking breaks from the computer, raising your seat or lowering your computer screen may help symptoms of dry eyes. Based on the cause and severity below are some methods to relieve dry eyes.  With Artificial Tears try different brands and see what works best for you.

Aqueous Deficiency:

Low Severity:  Non-Preservative Free Artificial Tears for mild dry eyes works well a few times a day.  If eyes become irritated or allergies flare up use a Preservative Free Artificial Tears since the preservative in non-preservative free drops may further irritate the eye. Preservative Free Artificial Tears come in individual single use vials because there is no preservative to prevent contamination.  Remember thicker drops may cause blurred vision and may not necessarily relieve your dry eye better than standard artificial tears.

Moderate Severity:  With moderate severity a patient should add a Gel Drop before bed.  Thicker Gels work great for patients who sleep with their eyes open or slightly open. A gel drop is not advised to use during the day since it may cause blurry vision.  Punctal Occlusion may be performed by your Eye Care Professional by inserting a plug in the tear drainage canal in the lid to keep the tears you have on your eye.  The procedure is relatively simple, pain free, and works well.  A dissolvable collagen plug may be tried first before the permanent plug is placed.  Excessive tearing may occur with punctal occlusion

Severe: If taking artificial tears more than about 4x/day, using a gel drop, and trying punctal occlusion is not working your Eye Care Professional may recommend Restasis.  Restasis is a prescription medication that after 4-6 weeks of use may result in increased tear production.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction:

The first line of treatment for MGD is Warm Compresses and Lid Massage.   After that Artificial Tears made for MGD like Systane Balance is useful for the unstable tear film presented with MGD.  Medication such as Azasite may be prescribed by your Eye Care Professional for severe gland blockage in MGD.

Photo used under Creative Commons from JLStricklin