alarm-ringing ambulance angle2 archive arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up at-sign baby baby2 bag binoculars book-open book2 bookmark2 bubble calendar-check calendar-empty camera2 cart chart-growth check chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up circle-minus circle city clapboard-play clipboard-empty clipboard-text clock clock2 cloud-download cloud-windy cloud clubs cog cross crown cube youtube diamond4 diamonds drop-crossed drop2 earth ellipsis envelope-open envelope exclamation eye-dropper eye facebook file-empty fire flag2 flare foursquare gift glasses google graph hammer-wrench heart-pulse heart home instagram joystick lamp layers lifebuoy link linkedin list lock magic-wand map-marker map medal-empty menu microscope minus moon mustache-glasses paper-plane paperclip papers pen pencil pie-chart pinterest plus-circle plus power printer pushpin question rain reading receipt recycle reminder sad shield-check smartphone smile soccer spades speed-medium spotlights star-empty star-half star store sun-glasses sun tag telephone thumbs-down thumbs-up tree tumblr twitter tiktok wechat user users wheelchair write yelp youtube

Dry Eye Treatment

Find relief from dry, gritty, red 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 Lake Country 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 gritty sensations in the eyes
  • Eyes that feel as if they have something in them
  • Increased sensitivity to bright lights or sunlight
  • Excessive tearing, or eyes that always appear watery
  • Extremely tired eyes

What causes dry eye?

There are many potential causes of dry eye such as:

  • Disease or disfunctioning of the meibomian (oil) glands in your lids
  • Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, or autoimmune diseases
  • Blepharitis (inflammation/infection of the eyelids) or Demodex (mites in the lashes)
  • Allergies (and allergy medications)
  • Changes in the eyelid or shape of the eye
  • Certain medications and even prescription eye drops
  • Deficiency and excessive evaporation of aqueous fluids
  • Disfunction of the cornea at the cellular level
  • Many, many environmental factors (computer use, dryness and fans in the home, work or car, air pollution)

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?

Through observing and imaging of the meibomian glands, assessing the tear film and surface of the eye, and listening carefully to your symptoms, we are able to diagnose and provide treatment for the condition.

Some of the typical treatments include:

  • Prescription eye drops and nasal sprays to combat inflammation
  • Treating oil (meibomian) glands with home remedies (HOT COMPRESSES!!) and in-office heat or light procedures such as IPL, LLLT, and ILux (see below)
  • Over the counter therapies such as artificial tears and gels
  • Other therapies and procedures such as punctual plugs, amniotic membranes and serum tears
  • Omega 3 fatty acid (fish oil)
  • Controlling your environment (add humidity to your air, reduce fans) blinking exercises, getting more sleep, drinking more water, breaks from the computer…

If an infection is causing the issue, low-dose antibiotics may also be prescribed.

Learn more about the treatments we offer below…

iLux

iLux is a small handheld device that uses heat and gentle massage to melt blockages in the oil glands in your eyelids to encourage oils to flow more freely to your tear film.

  • The procedure is completely painless and only takes a few minutes.
  • There are no side effects and you can get back to your day as soon as the treatment is finished.
  • Most people only need 1-2 treatments a year.

IPL

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is a treatment that delivers pulses of light to liquefy and release oils that have hardened and clogged the oil glands in the eyelids. IPL also reduces eyelid redness and inflammation, and stimulates healthy gland function.

  • The procedure takes around 15 minutes.
  • Doctors recommend 3-4 treatments around 3 weeks apart, then once a year for maintenance
  • This can only be performed with certain skin types and a few side effects may occur such as darkening or lightening of skin on the face.

LLLT (Low Level Light Therapy)/Red Light Therapy

  • Unclogs glands: The heat from the light helps to melt and unblock the oils in the meibomian glands, allowing them to flow normally. 
  • Reduces inflammation in the eyelids,  stimulates cell regeneration and stimulates the eyelid glands to improve function. 
  • Each treatment takes around 15 minutes.  One treatment per week for 4 weeks

Regener-Eyes Eye Drops

Moisturizing non-steroidal drop that heals and protects the surface of the eye.

  • Can use once to 4 times a day per your doctor’s recommendation.
  • Only available through your eye doctor or direct through Regener-Eyes.

Your eye doctor will discuss which solutions may be best for you and your dry eyes!

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

Request an Appointment Contact Us