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Dry Eye Symptoms, Testing, & Treatment Denver NC Lake Norman

Dry Eye Symptoms, Testing, & Treatment
Denver NC Lake Norman

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Ocular surface disease (often referred to as Dry Eye Syndrome) is a condition that occurs when your tear film is disrupted. A healthy tear film consists of three layers: a water layer, a mucus layer and an oil layer. All layers must remain in proper balance to hydrate and lubricate the eye to provide visual comfort and clarity. Dry Eye Syndrome is a common, progressive, and chronic condition with many contributing factors and results in various signs and symptoms.

Factors that may disturb this delicate balance include:

  • Age: > than 50 increased risk
  • Gender: women have a higher prevalence
  • Increased Device Use: decreases blink rate
  • Environment: windy, dry, dusty conditions
  • Disease Processes: Diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and many more
  • Medications: for blood pressure, birth control, antihistamine usage and more
  • Contact Lens wearer
  • History of eye surgery

An unstable tear film results in symptoms such as: burning, grittiness, excessive tearing, redness, discomfort and reduced vision. Over time, chronically dry eyes can lead to corneal scarring and even long term vision loss.

How is Dry Eye Treated?

Our doctors at Advanced Eye use the latest and most innovative diagnostic and treatment tools. During your eye examination, the ocular surface and tear make up are carefully evaluated with specific diagnostic equipment to determine which areas of the tear film are in distress.

If you suffer from dry eye or any of its associated symptoms, we can access your condition and make the appropriate treatment plan. Our doctors are trained in all areas of Dry Eye Treatments.

Based on your test results, a customized plan is formulated which may include:

  • Lid hygiene recommendations
  • Eye Drops
  • Punctal Plug Placement
  • Diet & Supplement recommendations

Procedures may include:

  • Lipiflow: a treatment that evacuates clogged glands
  • Lumenis Optima™ IPL (intense pulsed light therapy) to reduce inflammatory processes driving dry eye and rosacea
  • Amniotic membrane technology
  • Tempsure Envi (radio frequency) the use of thermal heat for lid tissue remodeling and oil gland evacuation.

Optima IPL Logo Tempsure-Envi-Logo

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Helpful Hints

Life Style Modifications:

  • Increase water consumption: 1/2 of your body weight in ounces
  • Less fatty or fried foods
  • More lean meat, vegetables and fruit
  • Multivitamin
  • Omega 3 Fish Oil

Environmental Modifications:

  • Wear sunglasses for protection
  • Avoid ceiling fans or direct air vents
  • Consider a cool air humidifier in bedrooms or office setting
  • Avoid smoke
  • Frequent “blink breaks” with computer use, reading, or driving

LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System

A cleared medical device to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) a chronic condition experienced by 90% of dry eye patients which affects glands that produce the oily layer of the tear film. Lipiflow is shown to evacuate stagnant oil and restore gland function. This treatment has over 30 years of scientific research.

Lumenis Optima™ IPL

Lumenis Optima™ IPL is a revolutionary treatment that utilizes intense pulsed light to treat skin and eyelid inflammation, a root cause of ocular surface disease.

Relief from dry, itchy eyes caused by skin and eyelid inflammation

If you suffer from dry eye or any of its associated symptoms, we can access your condition and make the appropriate treatment plan. Our doctors are trained in all areas of Dry Eye Treatments.

Lumenis Optima™ IPL

Lumenis Optima™ IPL is a revolutionary treatment for skin and eyelid inflammation, which in many cases is the root cause of your ocular problem.

How does it work?

With IPL technology, light pulses penetrate the tissue and create heat, targeting the abnormal vessels that are the root cause of the inflammation. The body’s natural reaction to the treatment removes the abnormal vessels and heals the inflammation threatening the skin and eyelid. IPL technology treats your skin and eyelid inflammation while improving overall skin appearance

Is It Safe?

Lumenis IPL is trusted by leading professionals around the world and is FDA cleared for over 20 different skin indications.

What Should I Expect After Treatment?

Immediately following treatment, you may experience some redness around treated areas that will usually disappear within a few hours. In most cases, makeup may be applied immediately, and daily activities can be resumed the same day. Your physician should advise to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days following the treatment and apply sunscreen.

Your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan to achieve the best results for your condition.

IPL Treatment

Tempsure Envi

Tempsure Envi is a device using radio frequency to treat ocular surface disease. This treatment encourages tissue remodeling of both upper and lower lids by increasing collagen and elastin production which tightens the lids and helps improve the blink process. Additionally, the meibomian glands in the upper and lower lids are heated through use of this device to loosen the oil in the glands for improved expression and tear film stabilization.

Tempsure Envi

The meibomian glands in the lids become blocked overtime and lose their ability to produce the rich oily layer of the tear film which prevents tear evaporation. Without oil, the water layer of the tears evaporates leaving behind a more salty tear film which causes dry, red, burning and irritated eyes. Over time, dysfunctional glands begin to atrophy or dye. TempSure Envi is a non-invasive, comfortable procedure that safely and effectively treats dry eye syndrome.

Tempsure Envi
Tempsure Envi

For Dry Eye Testing and Treatment contact Advanced Family Eye Care In Denver NC.  Serving patients from the Lake Norman, Charlotte NC areas.