Treatments & Products for Dry Eye
Dry eye disease (DED) also known as Ocular surface disease (OSD), is a complex and chronic inflammatory condition that can lead to damage of the ocular surface and eyelids. This damage can impair your clarity, visual productivity, cause pain, discomfort and lead to aesthetic changes and early aging of the eyes and eyelids. Early intervention is crucial to your eye health and quality of life.
The symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED) can be a problem for all ages, but it is more common as we get older. It occurs when your tear and eyelid system is not sufficient to keep the front surface of the eye, your cornea, well lubricated and protected. The cornea needs constant lubrication by tears to stay healthy.
- Fluctuating vision
- Tired eyes
- Stinging and Itching
- Excessive Tearing
- Burning Sensation
- Inflammation And Redness
- Sandy/Gritty Feeling
- Sensitivity To Light
What is a Dry Eye Exam
During your dry eye evaluation your doctor will carefully examine your eyes to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms. We provide the latest information about dry eye diagnosis, treatment, research, and products pertinent to dry eye patients. Our philosophy is diagnosis should come before treatment. We use most current technology to find the cause of your dry eye so we can tailor your treatment to maximize results. We provide patients with an in-depth diagnosis and treatment program to improve their symptoms and overall quality of life.
Dry Eye Treatments
Zest (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment)
What is ZEST?
Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST) is an in-office eyelid cleaning and debridement system using a natural okra-based gel. The procedure is quick and painless, often bringing immediate relief to symptoms of irritation and dry eye. Excess bacteria, demodex mites, oil residue, dirt and dead skin on the eyelids can cause the eyes to water, itch, burn, and make the eyes feel dry.
How does ZEST Work?
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is a deep cleaning and exfoliation of the eyelids and eyelashes. The procedure involves applying a gel to the eyelids and lashes with a surgical sponge swab and cleaning in a circular motion, working the gel into a lather. Following the deep cleansing procedure, the gel is rinsed off with saline solution.
This painless procedure gently exfoliates the eyelids, thoroughly removing debris and opening up the meibomian glands, thereby allowing oils to be released into the eye to promote healthy, stable tear production and lessen dry eye symptoms. Immediately following treatment, patients may experience some mild redness. This will usually disappear within a few hours. Patients can resume their daily activities including wearing contact lenses according to their doctor’s recommendation.
Rinsada
What is Rinsada?
Experience immediate relief from eye irritation with Rinsada rinse, our specialized irrigation treatment. When you do not produce enough tears, your eyelids trap inflammation, pollutants and allergens onto your eye.
How does Rinsada work?
Rinsada uses a high pressure saline targeted underneath the eyelid and in the deep recess called the fornix where normal rinsing cannot reach. By gently irrigating the ocular surface, Rinsada rinse reduces inflammation and provides soothing relief from dry eye discomfort.
TearCare
What is TearCare?
TearCare is a treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Blepharitis. It is a wearable eyelid technology device that administers gentle heat directly to the meibomian glands to liquefy the meibum, remove blockages and stimulate tear production.
How Does TearCare Work?
TearCare includes two flexible eyelid devices, placed on your upper and lower eyelids. They’re made of a soft, flexible material that conform to your eye’s natural shape and sit comfortably throughout the procedure. Unlike other treatment methods, TearCare allows the patient’s eyes to remain open and blinking throughout the procedure.After TearCare, your eye doctor may manually clear away obstructions released from the meibomian glands. Immediately following treatment, patients may experience some mild redness. This will usually disappear within a few hours. Patients can resume their daily activities including wearing contact lenses according to their doctor’s recommendation.
OptiLight IPL
What Is IPL
Lumenis Optilight IPL is the first and only IPL FDA approved to treat the root cause of dry eyes. IPL is a light-based treatment that uses precise, intense broad spectrum light to treat dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is the most common cause of dry eye disease, accounting for about 86% of cases. The treatment addresses inflammation, which is one of the key underlying factors in MGD. OptiLIGHT was specifically developed to reach the delicate contours of the treated area safely, effectively, and gently using the OPT™ technology.
How does IPL work?
The therapy targets ocular rosacea and spider veins, which often cause inflammation in the tissues around the eyes. The light energy eliminates the damaged blood vessels and reduces inflammation.
During the procedure, the heat from the light warms and liquefies the oil your body uses to create tear film. IPL therapy can help this oil to move more freely and reduce blockages that cause dry eye symptoms.
One of our eye doctors will begin your IPL treatment by placing shields over your eyes to protect them from the light pulses. Following that, a thin layer of cooling gel will be applied to the treatment area and a small device will administer the pulses of light to the region around the eyelids. The pulses of light heat the skin around the eye and dislodge the oil buildup.
While some patients notice an improvement in dry eye symptoms following their first or second IPL treatment, it is generally recommended they undergo a series of four IPL treatments, performed every 2 weeks. This ensures long-term success in treating both chronic dry eye syndrome and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. At the 4th IPL session, we will express oil from the glands with a heat treatment, which will restore normal oil flow in the tear film.
Depending on the severity of their dry eye condition, certain patients may require occasional maintenance treatments following the initial series of IPL treatments. It is not unusual to combine IPL treatments with other dry eye therapies in order to optimize effectiveness and promote healing.
Immediately following your treatment you may experience some redness. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to all normal activities including wearing makeup and contact lenses right away. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and apply sunscreen regularly. Patients usually notice improvement around their 2nd or 3rd treatments. Maintenance treatments are recommended every 6-12 months to ensure long lasting results.
OptiPlus RF (Radiofrequency)
What is RF
Innovative, FDA-cleared, dual frequency RF technology that can precisely reach different skin layers to enhance blood circulation, collagen production and target meibomian glands.
How does RF Work
First phase of treatment penetrates the layer of the meibomian glands to help liquify the oil to allow for better expression from the glands. The second phase of treatment targets the collagen layer for new collagen production. This helps with improving the overall appearance of the eyelids.
Quick and comfortable treatments.
After applying cream or gel, your physician will use the device to gently treat and massage the area. Immediately following your treatment you may experience some redness. This will usually disappear within a few hours. You can return to all normal activities including wearing makeup and contact lenses right away. You will be advised to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days and apply sunscreen regularly. Patients usually notice improvement around their 2nd or 3rd treatments. Maintenance treatments are recommended every 6-12 months to ensure long lasting results.
LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy)
What is LLLT?
LLLT Is a light therapy system that uses Low-level light to help relieve dry eye symptoms. LLLT is effective in improving cell metabolism and reducing inflammation on the ocular surface.
How does LLLT work?
LLLT emits a combination of red, blue, and infrared LED light wavelengths that penetrate the skin to stimulate cellular regeneration and reduce inflammation. This process can help improve tear production by unclogging the meibomian glands and releasing oils that keep your eyes well lubricated.
Prokera (Stem Cell Therapy)
What is Prokera
Prokera® is made from amniotic membrane which has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties. It is the only FDA cleared therapeutic device used by eye care practitioners to provide quick symptom relief and reduce inflammation associated with ocular surface disease. It helps restore your cornea and return your eye to a normal, healthy state.
PROKERA® is a safe, effective treatment provided by a tissue bank regulated by the FDA. The tissue has passed many quality control tests before it is provided to your doctor.
How does Prokera work
Prokera® is a stem cell medical device used by eye doctors around the world for anti-inflammation, anti-scarring and promoting healing of damaged eye surfaces.
The Prokera device is placed on the surface of the eye and is similar to a large contact lens. You may experience awareness of the ring but it is not painful. Your eye doctor may use tape to partially close your eyelid after PROKERA is inserted. After 2-4 days you will return to the office for the doctor to remove the Prokera. Immediately following treatment, patients may experience some redness and discharge. This will usually disappear within a few hours. Patients can resume their daily activities according to their doctor’s recommendation.
Scleral Lenses
What are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are rigid, gas-permeable lenses that rest on the white of the eye, called the sclera, instead of on the cornea. They form a dome over the cornea, creating a fluid-filled space that keeps the cornea moist and protects it from irritation. If you’re struggling with ongoing dry eye symptoms, scleral lenses can provide long-term relief along with exceptional comfort and visual clarity.
How do Scleral Lenses work?
Custom scleral lenses can act as a shield between a patient’s eyes and their eyelids/the outside environment, protecting the eyes from further irritation or damage. The space between the lens and the cornea contains a liquid reservoir that provides a protective cushion which reduces pain and irritation in those with dry eyes. This reservoir acts as a constant source of hydration for the eye, offering relief to dry eye patients. Dry eye syndrome causes the eyes to become more sensitive, and can be more vulnerable to injury. Even blinking can irritate the eye or even injure the cornea due to the mechanical friction of the eyelids on the cornea.
Medications for Dry Eye Treatment
What are medications for DED?
During your exam your doctor will determine the underlying causes of your dry eye and prescribe the appropriate therapy for treatment. The therapy may consist of a combination of over the counter treatments, in office treatments, and/or medications. Depending on the cause of your dry eye disease, the medications may help to reduce inflammation, increase tear production or even heal your corneal nerves that are responsible for maintaining a healthy surface and healing.
How do dry eye medications work?
Depending on the cause of your dry eye disease, the medications prescribed may help to reduce inflammation, increase tear production, replace deficient layers of the tears, or even heal your corneal nerves that are responsible for maintaining a healthy surface and healing. We provide patients with an in-depth diagnosis and treatment program to improve their symptoms and overall quality of life.