We are pleased to announce that we have expanded our services to include a dedicated Dry Eye Clinic. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care for patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome and related ocular surface diseases.
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by a lack of tears or poor quality of tears, which can lead to symptoms such as dryness, irritation, redness, and even vision problems.
At our new Dry Eye Clinic, we offer a range of diagnostic and treatment options to help manage your dry eye symptoms and improve your overall ocular surface health. Our team of experienced optometrists use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest techniques to provide personalized care that meets your unique needs.
Our services include:
- Comprehensive eye exams to diagnose and evaluate the severity of dry eye syndrome
- Advanced imaging technology to assess the quality and quantity of tears and detect any underlying eye conditions
- Individualized treatment plans that may include prescription eye drops, supplements, lifestyle modifications, and in-office procedures such as low level light therapy (LLLT), Intense Pulse Light therapy (IPL), and Lipiflow.
- Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care to ensure optimal management of your dry eye symptoms and ocular surface health.
We understand that dry eye syndrome can be a frustrating and debilitating condition that can impact your daily life. That’s why we are committed to providing compassionate care and effective treatments that help you feel better and see better.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms or would like to learn more about our Dry Eye Clinic, please do not hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal ocular surface health.
Causes & Risk Factors
Dry eyes can develop for many reasons, including:
- Age. Dry eyes are a part of the natural aging process. The majority of people over age 50 experience some symptoms of dry eyes.
- Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives and menopause.
- Medications. Certain medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
- Medical conditions. People with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems are more likely to have symptoms of dry eyes.
- Eyelid conditions. Problems with inflammation of the eyelids, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction, inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, or the inward or outward turning of eyelids can cause dry eyes to develop.
- Environmental conditions. Exposure to smoke, wind, dust, and dry climates can increase tear evaporation resulting in dry eye symptoms.
- Computer/Digital Device use. When staring at a computer screen for long periods of time we do not blink as regularly and the tears are not spread properly across the cornea. This can also contribute to drying of the eyes.
- Other factors. Long-term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry eyes. Refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, cataract surgery, and PRK can decrease tear production and contribute to dry eyes.
- Inadequate amount of tears. Tears are produced by several glands in and around the eyelids. Tear production tends to diminish with age, with various medical conditions or as a side effect of certain medicines.
- Poor quality of tears. Tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Each component protects and nourishes the front surface of the eye. A smooth oil layer helps prevent evaporation of the water layer, while the mucin layer spreads the tears evenly over the surface of the eye. If the tears evaporate too quickly or do not spread evenly over the cornea due to deficiencies with any of the three tear layers, dry eye symptoms can develop.
Symptoms
People with dry eyes may experience:
- Redness
- Stinging, scratching, or burning sensations
- Light sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Stringy mucus near the eye
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Feeling of something in their eye/dirty/gritty
Diagnosis
Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam at our office. We also offer dry eye consultations if you have recently had a comprehensive eye exam for an additional charge. Make sure to schedule your exam with Dr. Ashley Roth for a dry eye consultation. Testing with emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes may include:
- Patient history to determine the patient’s symptoms and to note any general health problems, medications or environmental factors that may be contributing to the dry eye problem.
- Comprehensive examination of the eye, cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, eyelid margin, glands. and blink dynamics.
- Imaging of the eyelids and meibomian glands (meibography)
- Measurement of the quantity and quality of tears for any abnormalities. Special dyes may be put in the eyes to better observe tear flow and to highlight any changes to the outer surface of the eye caused by insufficient tears.
- Inflammadry (if indicated). Inflammadry is the first and only rapid, in-office test that detects elevated levels of MMP-9, an inflammatory marker in the tears, by collecting a sample of the tears and testing them. Results in 10 minutes.
Treatment
Treatments for dry eyes aim to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eye to minimize dryness and related discomfort and to maintain eye health. Dry eye is a chronic and progressive condition, but Dr. David Roth & Dr. Ashley Roth can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable and to prevent your vision from being affected. Our office is now a Dry Eye Clinic and we offer state of the art treatments and therapies.
- Adding tears. Mild cases of dry eyes can often be managed using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions are recommended because they contain fewer additives, which can further irritate the eyes. People with dry eyes that don’t respond to artificial tears alone will need to take additional steps to treat their dry eyes.
- Conserving tears. Keeping natural tears in the eyes longer can reduce the symptoms of dry eyes. This can be done by blocking the tear ducts through which the tears normally drain. The tear ducts can be blocked with tiny silicone or gel-like plugs that can be removed if needed.
- Increasing tear production. A doctor of optometry can prescribe eye drops that increase tear production. Taking an omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplement may also help.
- Treating the contributing eyelid. In office procedures for the glands and eyelid including:
- Lipiflow
- IPL laser
- Low Level Light Therapy
- Treating ocular surface inflammation. Prescription eye drops or ointments, warm compresses and lid massage, or eyelid cleaners to help decrease inflammation around the surface of the eyes.
Prevention
You can take the following steps to reduce symptoms of dry eyes:
- Remember to blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for long periods of time.
- Increase the humidity in the air at work and at home.
- Wear sunglasses, particularly those with wraparound frames, to reduce exposure to drying winds and the sun.
- Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye symptoms in some people. Omega 3 or fish oil.
- Avoiding becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses) each day.
- Avoid air getting blown in your eyes by directing car air condition vents away from your face.
- Avoid environments that are drier than normal, such as deserts, airplanes, and places at high altitudes.
Buy Dry Eye Products
10% Discount Code: ED10
Use the link above to shop for all dry eye products offered and recommended by our office. Make sure to use the discount code ED10 to receive 10% off. Products will be shipped directly to your home.