Dry Eye Therapy | Myrtle Creek

In Your Corner Against Dry Eye

If you notice symptoms like eye fatigue, watery eyes, blurry vision, or eye irritation, you may have dry eye, which affects many Americans daily. The good news is the team at Advanced Eyecare & The Eyewear Gallery can help you find relief.

We offer comprehensive dry eye assessments to determine the root cause of your symptoms. Our team considers various factors, such as tear production and quality, environmental factors, and screen time, to develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your dry eyes.

We use treatment methods like OptiLight by Lumenis and advanced testing to help you address dry eyes. If you’re struggling with dry eye, relief is an appointment away—schedule your appointment with us today.

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How Tear Production Influences Dry Eye

Tear production plays a crucial role in preventing dry eye. Dry eye can occur when something goes wrong with the tear production process or the glands that create tears become inflamed.

Your tears are made of 3 layers:

The oily outer layer
The watery middle layer
The inner mucus layer

We examine your eyes and find a treatment to address the cause of your symptoms during your dry eye assessment.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction & Dry Eye

Inflammation of the glands that line your eyelids can lead to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD can reduce oil production in your tears, causing the watery layer to evaporate and leading to dryness.

When MGD occurs, the oils that your meibomian glands produce can thicken and clog the glands, resulting in inflammation, eyelid irritation, and dry eye symptoms such as watery eyes, eye irritation, and a scratchy sensation.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment. Our experienced team can help you manage MGD.

Recognizing Your Dry Eye Symptoms

Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome can include:

A stinging or gritty feeling in the eye
Scratchy and uncomfortable eyes
Blurry vision
A burning feeling or the feeling of something foreign in the eye

If you’re dealing with these symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam and dry assessment can allow us to learn more about your dry eye symptoms.

What to Expect During Your Dry Eye Evaluation

At Advanced Eyecare & The Eyewear Gallery, we offer advanced testing for dry eye to determine if more extensive treatment options are needed.

Our dry eye evaluations include meibography testing, tear level measurements, & TBUT (tear break-up time) measurements. Our team uses the results of your testing to help find the right treatment option for your needs.

Meibography

Meibography, a diagnostic technique for dry eye, offers more information about the health of the meibomian glands. Through infrared imaging technology, this noninvasive procedure assesses the structure and function of these crucial glands responsible for producing the oily layer of tears.

During meibography, specialized cameras capture detailed images of the meibomian glands, allowing our team to observe any abnormalities or blockages that may contribute to dry eye symptoms.

TBUT Testing

Tear break-up time testing (TBUT) is a diagnostic method used to evaluate the stability of the tear film in individuals with dry eye syndrome.

During tear break-up time testing, a dye is administered onto the eye’s surface, and the length of time it takes for the tear film to destabilize is recorded. This measurement helps assess tear film quality and issues that may be contributing to your dry eyes.

By conducting tear break-up time testing, we can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of dry eye and develop tailored treatment plans.

Tear Level Testing

Tear level testing helps determine the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes, providing valuable insights into the condition.

One common test used to assess tear volume is the Schirmer’s test. It measures the amount of tears produced by placing a small strip of filter paper inside the lower eyelid. The paper absorbs tears over a specific period, usually around 5 minutes, and the length of wetting is measured.

This test helps determine if the eyes are producing enough tears to keep them adequately lubricated and moist.

Who Can Dry Eye Affect?

Dry eye disease can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or race. However, certain factors can increase the risk of developing this condition, including:

Spending long periods of time using digital screens
Wearing contact lenses daily without proper care
Using eye makeup every day

Environmental factors also play a role in the development of dry eye disease. People living in dry and windy places are more likely to experience dryness and eye irritation due to environmental conditions.

Our Dry Eye Treatments

We are your home for dry eye care in the Myrtle Creek area. Our experienced team works with you to find a treatment option that addresses your needs.We offer more technical treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis, punctal plugs, and meibomian gland expression, along with starter treatments such as warm compresses, eye drops and other basic treatments.

OptiLight by Lumenis

OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, noninvasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.

The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.

OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.

Learn More About OptiLight

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are small devices placed into tear ducts to block the drainage of tears, help keep your eyes moist, and prevent them from drying out too quickly.

Punctal plugs are a treatment method that can be effective in providing lasting relief from dry eye symptoms. Our team will work with you to determine whether punctal plugs are the right treatment option for your needs.

Medicated Drops

Medicated eye drops like RESTASIS may be an effective treatment option to relieve your dry eye discomfort.

RESTASIS eye drops contain an active ingredient that can help reduce inflammation and increase the eye’s natural ability to produce tears. This can be an effective treatment option to relieve discomfort related to dry eye.

We also offer Xiidra drops at Advanced Eyecare & The Eyewear Gallery. Xiidra drops are prescription eye drops specifically designed to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. With lifitegrast ophthalmic solution as its active ingredient, Xiidra provides temporary relief and helps alleviate discomfort caused by dry eyes.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian gland expression may be able to help if you’re dealing with dry eye symptoms.

This noninvasive procedure involves applying gentle pressure to the meibomian glands. Expressing the oil in your eyelids can help the quality and quantity of your tears improve, reducing dry eye symptoms such as irritation, fatigue, and watery eyes.

Nutritional Solutions

Omega-3 supplements, including fish oil or flaxseed oil, are another commonly used treatment for dry eye. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the quality of tears and reduce inflammation on the ocular surface.

Eyelid Debridement & Sprays

Eyelid debridement involves the removal of debris, bacteria, and biofilm from the eyelid margins. This technique aims to improve the health of the meibomian glands, which produce the essential oily layer of tears. By eliminating blockages and promoting better gland function, eyelid debridement can help alleviate dry eye symptoms and enhance tear film stability.

Eyelid sprays offer a convenient and easy-to-use solution for dry eye relief. These sprays typically contain moisturizing and lubricating ingredients that can provide immediate comfort. By applying a gentle mist directly to the eyes, individuals with dry eye can experience temporary relief from irritation and discomfort.

Providing Options for Dry Eye Relief

We bring years of experience, passion, and genuine care for our patients to our dry eye services. We spare no expense when it comes to helping you manage and treat dry eye disease.

Don’t wait to address your dry eye symptoms—schedule your appointment today.

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