Dry Eye Treatment Options That Actually Work

Are your eyes feeling dry and gritty? You may be suffering from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome impacts many people, resulting in insufficient tears or moisture in the eye which prevents the eye from being properly lubricated. Unfortunately, this can cause uncomfortable symptoms that impact your daily life. With dry eye treatment, the goal is to prevent your eyes from feeling gritty, irritated, or sore and increase the quality or quantity of tears. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to prevent and treat dry eye syndrome; it just takes a quick visit to the eye doctor. Before you go, read through the article below to learn more about what causes dry eye syndrome, when to see dry eye specialists, and what dry eye treatment at home you can use to get free from the pain of dry, scratchy eyes.  

The Importance of Treating Dry Eye Syndrome 

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes do not have sufficient or effective tears, resulting in a lack of lubrication. With dry eye syndrome you may not produce enough tears or the tears may not be high quality enough to work effectively. When the eyes are not properly lubricated with tears, it can cause inflammation and lead to damage to the surface of the eye. Without treatment, the condition could worsen or cause permanent damage to the eyes, including abrasions, ulcers, or vision loss. 

Dry eye syndrome is considered a multifactorial disease, meaning there may be several reasons why your eyes are not producing enough tears, some of which may require prompt treatment by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. To prevent a decreased quality of life from dry, gritty eyes, an increased risk of infections, or damage to the eyes, seek treatment right away if you experience consistent dry eye symptoms. 

Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eyes can happen to anyone, but there are common causes that make them more likely to occur in some people versus others. For example, people that are older or are undergoing hormonal changes are more likely to experience dry eyes as are those with certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome. Some prescription medications may also cause dry eyes, as do some procedures. Dry eye LASIK treatment is a common need after LASIK surgery when many patients experience temporary dry eyes.

Not all causes are related to internal health factors. External factors like environmental conditions, including smoke, wind, and dry climates, make it more likely that someone will experience dry eyes when out in those conditions. Since most of our lives are now spent behind computer screens, prolonged screen time is also one of the fastest growing contributing factors to patients developing dry eye syndrome. 

Some conditions of the eyes do not have any noticeable symptoms, making it easy for the condition to remain undetected. Unfortunately, dry eyes is not one of those conditions, and it can quickly impact your daily life. The most common symptoms of dry eyes include burning, itching, redness, blurry vision, watery eyes, and a gritty sensation. 

Dry eyes and the resulting symptoms can make it difficult to enjoy daily activities such as hobbies, reading, driving, or even working. When that is the case, you should seek treatment from your eye doctor to make sure you do not have a more serious eye condition and to prevent damage to the eye. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye examination today. Our doctors are experienced in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. 

Effective At-Home Remedies

Dry eye treatment at home consists of easy-to-use methods that may be able to temporarily relieve symptoms. However, it is important to consult with your eye doctor if you have not tried these remedies before as some may have unintended consequences. If you are experiencing dry eyes, consider applying the following dry eye treatment at home:

• Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops – Available over the counter, these eye drops are formulated to lubricate the eyes and act as artificial tears when your eyes are not producing sufficient moisture. It’s important to note that over-the-counter eye drops will only relieve symptoms and will not treat dry eyes. They should only be used under the supervision of your eye care provider. 
• Warm compress – Using a warm compress can sometimes reduce symptoms and clear your eye glands enough to restart tear production. 
• Proper eyelid hygiene – Tear ducts can become inflamed or irritated if not properly cleaned. Always remove makeup before bedtime, gently wash your eyelids and surrounding area with a clean and gentle cloth to remove debris and dirt, avoid rubbing your eyes, and if you need to touch your eyes, make sure your hands are clean before doing so.
• Drinking enough water and taking Omega-3 supplements – In some cases, staying hydrated with electrolytes and sufficient water might be enough to help relieve symptoms of dry eye syndrome. If needed, consider taking omega-3 supplements as they may support tear production. As with any supplements, check with your eye doctor before taking anything.
• Lifestyle adjustments – One of the easiest changes to make revolves around lifestyle adjustments. It can be beneficial to your eyes to spend less time in front of a screen, or if that is not possible, take frequent breaks, practicing the 20-20-20 method. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also use a dehumidifier in your home or workspace to create a more humid environment that may help to reduce symptoms especially during dry times of the year, such as winter. Also, be sure to wear sunglasses outside when sunny or windy for added protection. 

Medical Treatments & Procedures

Luckily, for those looking for severe dry eye treatment, there are many effective treatments available from the dry eye specialists at OCLI Vision. The right severe dry eye treatment will depend on the cause of your dry eyes. Some of the dry eye treatments available include:

• Anti-inflammatory eye drops – Used to reduce inflammation in the tear glands to allow your eyes to produce more plentiful and better quality tears, anti-inflammatory eye drops come in a couple of options. Restasi^® is a nonsteroidal immune inhibitor eye drop that contains cyclosporine and is used twice daily to increase tear production. Patients typically see results in three months. Ceqa^® is another prescription eye drop featuring the active ingredient cyclosporine but may work up to twice as fast due to its increased strength. Xiidra^®, or lifitegrast eye drops, also inhibit immune response, reducing inflammation and allowing the glands to produce tears.  
• Nasal spray – Interestingly enough, a new nasal spray, Tyrvaya^®, is being used as a dry eye treatment. The nasal spray stimulates the trigeminal nerve, increasing basal tear production. 
• Punctal Plugs and IPL – A punctal plug is a small plug that is inserted into the tear duct so more of the tears stay in the eye. These plugs can be temporary (dissolvable) or permanent (silicone), depending on your needs and your eye doctor’s recommendation. IPL therapy is Intense Pulsed Light and it is used to dissolve blockages in the meibomian glands, allowing oil and tears to flow freely. 
• Platelet-rich Plasma – PRP can be used to treat dry eyes that have not responded to other, more conventional treatments. To create the eye drops, blood is collected from the patient and sent to the lab where the platelets are separated from the blood and used to create nutrient-rich eye drops. PRP eye drops may help to regenerate eye tissues and improve tear production. Unfortunately, they are often not covered by insurance due to high costs and the experimental nature of the procedure. 

Find a Dry Eye Specialist Near Me

If you have been suffering from dry or itchy eyes that make it difficult to conduct your daily activities, call the OCLI Vision specialists today. It’s time to get back to doing what you love and stop dealing with dry, irritated eyes. 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Without a doubt, you may still have many questions about your dry eyes. Below we responded to some of the most common questions our patients have about dry eye syndrome. 

• What is the best treatment for severe dry eyes? – It is hard to prescribe a severe dry eye treatment without more information on the patient. That is why meeting with your primary eye care doctor is vital to the success of your treatment. Your doctor will be able to pinpoint the root cause of your dry eyes and provide a treatment that will solve the problem, not just reduce your symptoms. The treatment may range from punctal plugs to IPL or prescription eye drops and anything in between. Make sure to schedule an appointment with any of the OCLI dry eye specialists today to start treating your dry eyes.
• What is LipiFlow treatment for dry eyes? LipiFlow treatment aims to fix meibomian gland dysfunction which prevents the eye from releasing the necessary oils for tear production. The treatment uses controlled heat and pressure on the eyelids to unblock the meibomian glands. 
• How much does dry eye treatment cost? The cost will be dependent on your insurance, the office where you receive your treatment, the doctor that performs your treatment, and the cause of your dry eye syndrome. For more information, speak to your insurance provider or call your nearest OCLI office to ask about insurance coverage and other payment options. 
• Does insurance cover dry eye treatment? It will depend on which treatment you select, the cause of your condition, and the extent of your coverage. Some treatments are less likely to be covered than others, such as PRP eye drops. 
• How long does treatment for dry eyes take to heal? Since most dry eye treatments are non-invasive, they will not require extensive downtime. However, with certain treatments, you may not notice a change in the condition of your eyes for some time. Some prescription eye drops can take up to 90 days to cure the problem. 

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