How Can Dry Eye be Treated?
For some patients, over-the-counter or prescription eye drops will provide relief for dry eye symptoms. However, if these are ineffective you may need to have an eye doctor assess your situation and determine the root cause of your dry eye. Knowing the reason for your dry eye symptoms is the only way to successfully treat this condition. We may use a non-invasive machine called the LipiView interferometer to assess your tear film and another system called the Meibomian Gland EvaluatorTM to examine the quantity and quality of the oils in your eyes. The information gathered from these and other tests can help us determine the right course of treatment.
Our doctors may recommend:
- RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion eye drops to increase tear production
- LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System to unblock the eyelid glands
- Punctal plugs to prevent tear drainage from the eyes
RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion
RESTASIS eye drops are suitable for people with Aqueous Dry Eye. These twice-daily prescription eye drops are different from artificial tears that can be purchased over-the-counter. The goal with these drops is to help increase your eye’s natural ability to produce tears. It may take up to 6 months for the product to take full effect; however, relief can begin after one month.
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System
LipiFlow is suitable for people with Evaporative Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). If you have a blocked tear duct, LipiFlow unblocks the eyelid glands, allowing them to resume production of complex natural oils. The treatment includes the application of precisely-controlled heat to the inner eyelid. The single-use activator applies adaptive pressure to stimulate the production of oils for tear film. Maximum results are usually seen within 6-8 weeks after treatment.
Take Our Dry Eye Self-Evaluation
People often mistake their dry eye symptoms for allergies or other conditions. It’s not always easy to determine if you have dry eye. We have developed a quick online quiz that you can take to get a preliminary answer to the question, “Do I have dry eye?”
If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry eye in Colorado Springs, contact us today to schedule an eye exam.