Dry Eye Treatment

Find relief from dry, itchy, irritated eyes.

Dry eyes affect millions of people in the United States. It is estimated that as many as 4.88 million Americans over the age of 50 suffer from this uncomfortable condition.

If you need help, book an appointment at Pontiac Family Eye Care. We’ll help you find a treatment option that brings you the relief you’re searching for.

What are the common symptoms of dry eye?

Everyone experiences dry eye differently because there are so many potential underlying causes.

Typical symptoms include:

• Redness or eyes that appear irritated and bloodshot
• Consistent burning or tingling sensations in the eyes
• Eyes that feel itchy or as if they have something in them
• Increased sensitivity to bright lights or sunlight
• Excessive tearing, or eyes that always appear watery

What causes dry eye?

There are many potential causes of dry eye.

In some cases, the cause is obvious, such as environmental irritants or short-term inflammation.

Some of the other causes of chronic dry eye problems include:

• Disease of the meibomian glands
• Blepharitis
• Allergies
• Defects that affect the eyelid or shape of the eye
• Certain medications
• Abnormal eye pressure
• Deficiency of aqueous fluids

Because the underlying causes vary, treatment methods after diagnosis will also vary according to the patient. It is also not uncommon for there to be more than one cause for dry eye.

How is dry eye diagnosed and treated?

Our office has the latest technology to diagnose & treat dry eye. A Dry Eye Evaluation includes imaging of the meibomian glands, measuring the tear film quality, and screening for contributing factors. Additionally, we perform Inflammadry testing to check for an MMP-9, an inflammatory marker in dry eye and perform OmegaQuant testing to check omega 3 blood levels. Using the Oculus Keratograph 5M and these in-office tests, we can tell you which factors are causing your dryness. Based on this evaluation, we are able to provide customized dry eye treatment.

Some common treatments include:

• Prescription eye drops to combat inflammation
• Oral fish oil supplements
• Treating oil glands with Lipiflow and Intense Pulsed Light
• Blinking exercises
• Proper eyelid hygiene

Dry Eye Technology: Oculus Keratograph 5M, Lipiflow, and Lumenis Intense Pulsed Light

Our newest addition to our services includes advanced technology for diagnosis and treatment of dry eye. The Oculus Keratograph 5M takes images and videos of the various structures involved in dry eye. This includes the meibomian glands, non-invasive tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height measurement, and lipid layer evaluation, to name a few.

If you’ve been suffering from dry, watery, or red eyes or experience intermittent blur or grittiness, please talk to our staff about scheduling your dry eye evaluation. Your optometrist will screen for dryness during a comprehensive exam, and may recommend you return for this important testing. A dry eye evaluation with the Oculus Keratograph 5M is the most precise way to tailor your dry eye treatment to match your causes of dryness. Please complete this form & bring it to your evaluation.

The majority of dry eye is caused by poorly functioning meibomian glands: the oil glands in the eyelid. These glands are responsible for producing the top oily coating of the tear film, which is the protective layer that keeps the middle watery layer intact. When oil production is inhibited, the watery layer of the eye surface is left exposed, resulting in symptoms including: unstable vision, watering, and discomfort. This common condition is called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

LipiFlow was the first electronic device cleared by the  FDA for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction. It’s safety and efficacy have been proven with clinical studies and over 25 years of research. LipiFlow uses Vectored Thermal Pulsation technology and precise heat applied to the inner eyelids with gentle massage to eliminate blockages from the meibomian glands. This goal of treatment is to restore the natural oil flow to the tear film. The in-office treatment takes 12 minutes and symptoms can improve in as little as a few weeks, with maximum benefit up to 6 months after treatment.

Lumenis Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment uses pulses of light on the skin to stimulate the body’s natural healing. It treats inflammation that threatens the eyelids and skin, while simultaneously rejuvenating the skin’s appearance. It’s an effective treatment for dry eye that’s caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. It works by breaking the cycle of inflammation.

• IPL alleviates the abnormal blood vessels that are perpetuating inflammation
• IPL decreases the level of pro-inflammatory mediators and inhibits the progression of the inflammation
• IPL eradicates Demodex mites that are stimulating infection and reduces bacterial load
• IPL restores meibomian glands’ morphology and functionality
• IPL improves skin appearance, and can be targeted to treat rosacea or telangectasia

IPL treatment is safe and FDA-approved. Treatments are quick (typically 10-15 minutes) and performed in our office. Several consecutive treatments are necessary for optimum results.

Dry eyes are not only uncomfortable — they can also be bad for the health of your eyes. Book an appointment at Pontiac Family Eye Care to find relief.