Dry Eye Therapy

Helping You Find Relief from Dry Eyes

Dry eye is a common condition that can affect just about anyone. At Dr. C Optometry, we know that dealing with dry eye symptoms can be challenging, and we offer a wide range of therapies and holistic treatments to help you find relief.

It all starts with a comprehensive eye exam and a holistic, personalized approach created for your lifestyle. From there, we can determine if you need more in-depth dry eye care. We will help you explore the right path to lasting relief with treatments like IPL, radiofrequency, and LipiFlow.

Don’t let dry eye slow you down. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.

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What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

Scratchy, burning, or stinging sensations
Redness
Light sensitivity
Blurred vision
The sensation that something is in your eye

We understand how disruptive dry eyes can be to daily life. That’s why we offer a comprehensive dry eye treatment program designed to help you find relief and restore your comfort.

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Understanding Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when your tear film, a 3-layered protective shield for your eye, is disrupted. This can happen in 2 main ways: either your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly.

The causes of dry eye can vary, but some common culprits include:

Environmental factors, like dry air, wind, and smoke
An age-related decline in tear production
Underlying medical conditions, like allergies, autoimmune diseases, or hormonal changes
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

Understanding MGD

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic and progressive condition that can affect the function of the tiny meibomian glands that line your eyelids. These glands produce your tear film’s oily layer, which is essential for stopping your tears from evaporating too quickly.

The signs of MGD often include dry eye symptoms, such as:

Fluctuating or blurry vision
Watery eyes
Discomfort while wearing contact lenses or eye makeup

We offer treatments that can address MGD by reducing inflammation and unclogging oils in the meibomian glands, such as (intense pulsed light) IPL therapy.

Dry Eye Diagnosis: A Multifaceted Approach

We believe in providing a thorough dry eye evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms. Our dry eye assessment begins with a detailed screening questionnaire followed by several diagnostic techniques, including:

Meibography: This imaging technique helps us examine the meibomian glands located in your eyelids, which play a crucial role in tear production.
Tear Tests: We can use Schirmer’s Test to assess tear quantity and quality, helping us find out how well your eyes are making tears.
Dry Eye Screening: This comprehensive questionnaire helps us understand your individual experience with dry eye symptoms.

Treating Dry Eyes: A Layered Approach

Our eye doctors take a personalized approach to dry eye treatment. We consider your unique needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Our layered approach may include a combination of in-office and at home therapies, including recommendations for lifestyle changes, such as:

Eating More Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Dietary changes that add more omega-3 fatty acids may help support healthy tear production.
Making Other Lifestyle Changes: Your eye doctor may recommend other lifestyle changes that can ease dry eye symptoms, such as reducing screen time, using a humidifier, and avoiding irritants like smoke.

Our In-Office Dry Eye Therapies

Our eye doctors will work closely with you to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed. You’ll be an active participant in your dry eye journey, and we will empower you with knowledge and self-care strategies to help you manage your symptoms.

After our initial holistic approach, we may recommend additional in-office treatment options to help address your specific dry eye needs.

LipiFlow

LipiFlow gently warms and massages your eyelids, helping unblock and improve the function of your meibomian glands. By addressing gland dysfunction, LipiFlow can help improve your tear quality, leading to dry eye relief.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian gland expression can clear blocked meibomian glands, improving the flow of oil into your tears. During your visit, our team will apply gentle pressure along your eyelids. This pressure can help clear blockages within your tear glands and address meibomian gland dysfunction.

BlephEx

BlephEx is an eyelid-cleaning treatment that removes debris and biofilm from your lash line. A clean eyelid can help promote a healthy tear film and prevent inflammation that can lead to dry eyes.

BlephEx goes beyond simple cleaning wipes. This in-office treatment uses a gentle brush to remove debris, promoting healthy gland function and tear production.

InMode IPL & Radiofrequency

We can use the InMode IPL & radiofrequency device to treat dry eyes.

IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy uses light and heat to help reduce eyelid inflammation and melt trapped oils in meibomian glands, addressing key factors in dry eye discomfort.

Radiofrequency can deliver gentle heat to stimulate tear gland function and improve tear production, helping reduce the effects of dry eyes.

This duo can offer a safe and effective way to manage dry eye symptoms, potentially reducing your reliance on eye drops and medications and improving overall eye health. IPL and RF also stimulate collagen and elastin production to help tighten skin around the eyes.

Scleral Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes

In severe cases of dry eye, our eye doctors may recommend scleral contact lenses. Unlike traditional contact lenses that rest directly on the cornea, scleral lenses are larger and vault over the entire cornea, helping prevent irritation. They contain a reservoir of lubricating solution between the lens and your eye that can reduce dry eye symptoms.

Scleral lenses can be a great option for people who have trouble wearing normal contact lenses while dealing with dry eye symptoms.

Take Your Comfort Back from Dry Eyes

Don’t let dry eyes stop you from enjoying your daily life. Whether your goal is to enhance productivity at the office or to fully enjoy the view at the next Lakers game, we can help you find relief from dry eyes and so you can enjoy clear, healthy vision.

Contact us to schedule your appointment and get help finding a path to dry eye relief.

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