Dry Eye Syndrome
(Keratitis Sicca)
Dry Eyes, Red Eyes, Itchy Eyes, Gritty Eyes
Symptoms:
Do you find yourself clenching your eyes closed hoping to moisten and soothe them? Or do you keep rubbing your eyes feeling like you have sand in them? If your eyes are feeling dry, itchy irritated or extra sensitive to light, you may be experiencing symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). An appointment with one of our ophthalmologists can help form a comprehensive treatment plan to get you relief.
Cause:
You're at higher risk of experiencing Dry Eye Syndrome if you're:​
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Living in a dry climate.
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Frequently in dusty or smoky atmosphere.
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A woman
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Post Menopause
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Taking Medications such as:
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Allergy Medications (Antihistamines)​
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Blood Pressure Medications (Anti-hypertensives)
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Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives)
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Laxatives
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Tranquilizers
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Dry eye syndrome generally presents itself in the following two ways:
Quantity Vs. Quality
Your eyes don't produce enough tears.
Your oily layer may be deficient, allowing your tears to evaporate too quickly.
Treatment:
Dr. Yalon can help identify what type of dry eye you have by simply testing the amount and quality of tears you produce naturally… some people have a combination of both forms of dry eye.
Dr. Yalon may prescribe different types of artificial tears as the first form of treatment. Different types of artificial tears have different characteristics such as salt content and viscosity.
Punctul Plugs
Depending on the severity of your dry eyes, Dr. Yalon may also insert Punctul Plugs into your tear duct. Punctul Plugs are small silicone plugs that are inserted into your tear ducts allowing your tears to stay on the surface of your eye for a longer period of time before draining. This is a simple office procedure, is not painful but can greatly help alleviate dry eye symptoms along with the use of artificial tears.
Prescriptions Eye Drops
For severe dry eye symptoms, and after all other treatments proved insufficient, there are prescription eye drops like Restasis® or cyclosporin eye drops that can help minimize the inflammatory component of your dry eye symptoms.
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If the oily layer covering your eyes is deficient, you can increase your intake of Omega 3’s and flax seed oil to help replenish your body’s natural production of oil. Not all Omega 3’s are created or processed in a way that our bodies can absorb them efficiently. We have Omega 3's that are sold in our office that are specifically formulted for dry eyes and processed in a way that our bodies can efficiently absorb the nutrients.
*Beware of artificial tears containing the following preservative: Benzalkonium Chloride (May Cause Corneal Toxicity)