Dry Eye Treatments
Dry eye syndrome can cause uncomfortable symptoms like itching, burning, and watery eyes, but our patients don’t need to live with these symptoms. At Columbus Ophthalmology Associates, our experts can diagnose the source of your dry eye symptoms and provide effective, lasting treatment.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a result of inadequate tear production or tears that are of poor quality, both of which lead to a lack of lubrication on the eye’s surface. For most people who suffer from dry eye, the cause is a blockage of the meibomian glands, which reside in the eyelids. These glands release meibum, a moisturizing oil that covers the surface of the eye each time a person blinks. When the meibomian glands don’t function properly or become blocked, insufficient meibum release causes tears to evaporate more quickly than they should. This leads to evaporative dry eye, which affects up to
Trusted Source
Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study
Lemp MA, Crews LA, Bron AJ, Foulks GN, Sullivan BD
Go to Source
86%
of people with dry
Trusted Source
Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer
Findlay Q, Reid K
Go to Source
eye.
Professional Dry Eye Treatment
For patients who do not achieve suitable relief with home and over-the-counter remedies for dry eye syndrome, our doctors can provide effective treatment. This may include:
Prescription Eye Drops
Our doctors can prescribe specialized lubricating eye drops such as Restasis® or Xiidra® to help lubricate the surface of the eye and minimize irritation. These drops can help patients’ bodies produce more tears.
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs, also known as tear duct plugs, are small devices that our doctors insert into the inner corners of the eyelids. These plugs prevent tears from leaving the eyes too quickly, promoting lasting lubrication and alleviating symptoms of dry eye.
iLux®
Most patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome have meibomian gland dysfunction, where the gland that produces oil to lubricate the eye is blocked or not working properly. The Systane® iLux device from Alcon allows us to provide highly effective, non-surgical treatment for this leading cause of evaporative dry eye
Trusted Source
Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA
Go to Source
disease.
iLux softens oil buildup and blockages in the meibomian glands using gentle heat and pressure. This FDA-approved device is placed over the patient’s eyelid for roughly 15 minutes in the comfort of our office, then the doctor applies gentle compression to remove excess oil blocking the glands. Most patients say treatment with iLux feels like a relaxing, warm massage. Best of all, they enjoy prompt and lasting relief from dry eye symptoms.
BlephEx® for Blepharitis
Many of our patients with dry eye also suffer from blepharitis, a condition caused by an accumulation of bacteria on or under the eyelids. Often, blepharitis is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, another leading cause of dry eye syndrome.
BlephEx is a medical grade micro-sponge that our doctors gently sweep over the inner and outer surface of the eyelids to remove bacteria and biofilm that accumulate along the lids and within the eyelashes. The sponge also helps to exfoliate the area, preventing or delaying future buildup. To complete treatment, the doctor gently rinses away any
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BlephEx Information for Providers
Alcon
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debris.
In total, treatment with BlephEx takes less than ten minutes and yields an immediate decrease in blepharitis symptoms that cause dry eye.
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation Treatment
Dry eye syndrome often stems from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where blocked oil glands in the eyelids lead to insufficient tear production. LipiFlow® is a breakthrough treatment designed to address this issue at its source.
Using a combination of gentle heat and pulsation, LipiFlow® clears blockages from the Meibomian glands, restoring their natural function. Our doctors carefully place the LipiFlow® device on the eyes, where it delivers controlled heat to the inner eyelid while simultaneously applying gentle pressure to the outer eyelid. This process effectively liquefies and expresses the obstructed oils, improving the tear film quality and providing long-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms. The LipiFlow® treatment typically takes about 12 minutes per eye, with most patients experiencing significant symptom improvement after just one session.
Thermal One Touch® Heat Therapy
Thermal One Touch® is a cutting-edge treatment aimed at providing relief for patients suffering from dry eye syndrome, particularly those with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). This treatment uses targeted heat therapy to unblock the oil glands in the eyelids, enhancing tear quality and alleviating dry eye discomfort.
Our doctors use the Thermal One Touch® device to apply precise heat to the eyelids, gently warming the Meibomian glands and melting the blockages that hinder proper oil secretion. The procedure is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes per eye. Patients often experience noticeable improvements in their dry eye symptoms shortly after the treatment, with the added benefit of minimal downtime and discomfort. Thermal One Touch® offers an effective solution for long-term dry eye management.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral Contact Lenses can be an effective method to help treat dry eyes. These lenses cover the entire corneal surface, protecting your eyes from irritants. The lens design is more comfortable to wear for long periods, help retain moisture, may improve visual acuity, and decrease the need for artificial tears.
Home Remedies for Dry Eye
If you are suffering from the symptoms of dry eye, there are some home remedies you may try to get relief. These include:
- Lubricating Eye Drops or Artificial Tears: This is often the first step to relief from dry eye symptoms. Be sure to look for eye drops that are designed to lubricate, not just reduce redness.
- Environmental Changes: Reducing screen time and wearing glare-protection glasses can help alleviate dry eye and eye fatigue from looking at a computer screen. You may also try directing fans and vents away from your eyes and protecting your eyes in dry or windy weather.
- Warm Compress: A warm, moist compress applied to the eyes for 15 minutes at a time can help unblock meibomian glands and trigger the eyes to produce more tears. This also helps comfort eyes that are irritated.
- Supplements and Vitamins: A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help with tear production, and eye health supplements may also help.
Convenient Locations in and around Columbus
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
5155 Bradenton Avenue
Dublin OH, 43017
5965 E Broad St #480
Columbus OH, 43213
4176 Kelnor Drive
Grove City OH, 43123
Dry Eye Relief Starts Here
Are you experiencing symptoms of dry eye? Call us at (614) 766-2006 or schedule your dry eye exam using the form below.
1 Lemp MA, Crews LA, Bron AJ, Foulks GN, Sullivan BD. Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a retrospective study. Cornea. 2012 May;31(5):472-8. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e318225415a. PMID: 22378109. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22378109/. Accessed June 28, 2021.
2 Findlay Q, Reid K. Dry eye disease: when to treat and when to refer. Aust Prescr. 2018;41(5):160-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2018.048. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202299/. Accessed June 28, 2021.
3 Tauber J, Owen J, Bloomenstein M, Hovanesian J, Bullimore MA. Comparison of the iLUX and the LipiFlow for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:405-418. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7024784/. Accessed June 28m 2021.
4 Alcon. BlephEx Information for Providers. Available: https://professional.myalcon.com/ocular-health/dry-eye/blephex/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5uWGBhCTARIsAL70sLI2MesSKSdBtmFZDUBOvHbDOWmV1sV5Z3zr7juQ7puhPpuM0pPCp_YaAsqHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds. Accessed June 28, 2021.
The doctors at Columbus Ophthalmology Associates have either authored or reviewed the content on this site.