Palmetto Eye & Laser Center

DRY EYE CARE

WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to dry itchy eyes, eye tearing, stinging eyes, dry red eyes and other eye irritation. Without proper treatment, inadequate tears can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading to watching TV, to driving or working on the computer.

TWO TYPES OF DRY EYE

Unlike Aqueous Dry Eye, which occurs when the lacrimal glands do not produce enough tears, Evaporative Dry Eye is caused by blockage to the eyelid glands (the meibomian glands) which leads to a shortage of oil on the surface of the tears and quicker-than-normal tear evaporation.

  • 85% of dry eye is caused by a blocked tear duct, also called Meibomian
    Gland Dysfunction or MGD (Evaporative Dry Eye)
  • 15% of dry eye is caused by insufficient tear production (Aqueous Dry Eye)

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MGD

Symptoms of dry eyes due to MGD may include:
  • Dry burning eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred vision
  • Discomfort in windy or dry conditions

IS LIPIFLOW RIGHT FOR YOU?
The LipiFlow treatment may not be right for your eyes. During a Vision Consultation we can perform a series of evaluations to determine the root cause of your dry eye. We will use the non-invasive LipiView interferometer to assess your tear film and the Meibomian Gland EvaluatorTM to examine the quantity and quality of the oils.
Our Boiling Springs, South Carolina dry eye doctors can perform the virtually painless LipiFlow treatment right in the office.
Contact us today to schedule your Vision Consultation. The right treatment of dry eyes will depend on your type of dry eye.

RESTASIS®: RELIEF FOR CHRONIC DRY EYE

When your eyes are unable to produce sufficient tears, you have a condition called Aqueous Dry Eye. This can become a chronic condition which causes great discomfort due to lack of lubrication and protection, making daily activities difficult.

At Palmetto Eye and Laser Center we offer RESTASIS® Ophthalmic Emulsion to treat the ongoing symptoms of Chronic Dry Eye. These twice-daily prescription eye drops 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.

RESTASIS drops are different from artificial tears that can be purchased over-the-counter. Those types of products simply provide temporary relief. RESTASIS is a longer-lasting, more effective solution.

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