The Symptoms and Causes of Dry Eye Disease

Are your eyes constantly bothering you? You might have dry eye disease. An eye doctor in Wilmington, N, will be able to make a diagnosis and then prescribe you something that will give you some relief. Here are some of the symptoms and causes of dry eye disease.

The Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

  • Stinging or Burning in Your Eyes
  • Light Sensitivity
  • Blurred Vision
  • Changing Vision
  • Eye Mucus
  • Watery Eyes
  • Red, Tender, Swollen Eyelids

The Causes of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears, your tears evaporate too quickly, or a combination of both of those together. Other factors that can cause dry eye disease and your symptoms could get worse over time.

Medical Conditions That Can Be a Sign of Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease can just happen, or it could be caused by a medical condition. If this happens, you will need dry eye treatment in Wilmington, NC. Here are some of the medical conditions that can cause dry eye to occur.

Aqueous deficient dry eye can be an indication for some people that they have Sjögren’s syndrome.

People with diabetes have a 50/50 chance of developing dry eye disease.

Blepharitis causes inflammation in the oil glands of your eyelids. And while there is no evidence that dry eye causes blepharitis, dry eye can be a symptom of dry eye.

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune disease where your eye muscles and the fatty tissue behind your eyes become inflamed. This condition can also result in dry eye disease.

Do You Need an Optometrist in Wilmington, NC?

If you need an optometrist in Wilmington, NC, please Contact Paul Vision Institute today. Come and experience a new kind of eye care that is individually tailored to meet your specific needs in a warm, comfortable atmosphere.

Can People With Dry Eye Syndrome Wear Contacts?  

If you are undergoing treatment for dry eye syndrome in Wilmington, NC, you may wonder if you will be able to wear contact lenses with this condition. The symptoms of dry eye syndrome include poor night vision, tender eyes, sandy sensation, excessive dryness and more. Millions of people with dry eye syndrome are able to wear contact lenses, but special consideration needs to be taken. Your eye doctor will be able to tell you more about your options, which include the following.

Sclera Lenses

Sclera lenses are a type of eye lens, but they aren’t called contact lenses. The reason for this is because they don’t rest directly on the cornea. Instead, the peripheral edges of sclera lenses rest on the perimeter of the cornea. This makes them an ideal option for those with dry eye syndrome, since they are less likely to cause excessive irritation.

Soft Lenses

Depending upon your individual circumstances and the health of your eyes, you may be able to wear a type of soft contact lenses. Certain soft contact lenses contain more moisture than others. Your eye doctor in Wilmington, NC may be able to prescribe you with a high-moisture content lens that let you get by with wearing contact lenses. If one brand doesn’t work, don’t give up; there may be a different brand that works better.

Daily Lenses

Contact lenses that are made to be worn for just a day are another possible option if you have dry eyes in Wilmington. These lenses ensure that your eyes are only ever exposed to “fresh” contact lenses that have not begun to deteriorate.

Prescription Eyeglasses Are a Must

Even if you are able to wear contact lenses, you’ll need to have one or more pairs of prescription eyeglasses on hand. This will enable you to remove your contact lenses and still be sure you’ll be able to enjoy good vision. No matter how great your contact lenses are, those with dry eye syndrome won’t be able to wear them for hours on end. Short periods of wear will likely work better for your condition.

For more information about wearing contact lenses with dry eyes, talk to your Wilmington, NC eye doctor. Contact us today to book your appointment.

 

 

What Is the OptiLight by Lumenis & How Can It Manage Your Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is a widespread and common issue for up to 49 million Americans. This chronic condition can have a significant impact on your quality of life, causing a foreign body sensation in your eyes, pain, blurry vision, and dry or watery eyes. Untreated, it can even lead to further eye health complications.

Despite these constant detrimental effects on quality of life, many dry eye sufferers are not aware that they’re suffering from dry eye disease or that real treatments exist. Instead, they just live with the discomfort.

Through a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, our team at Paul Vision Institute works to understand the direct cause of your dry eye and recommend a personalized treatment plan to relieve your discomfort.

We’re proud to offer OptiLight by Lumenis to our patients, specially designed for dry eye management.

What Is OptiLight by Lumenis?

OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, non-invasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.

The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.

How Does It Work?

OptiLight uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.

This application can significantly relieve dry eye indicators and has a multi-factorial effect, including:

  1. Increasing tear break-up time
  2. Reducing the amount of Demodex mites and bacteria living around your eyes
  3. Eliminating blood vessels that contribute to inflammation
  4. Improving meibomian gland functionality

What to Expect Before Your Treatment

Our team uses a variety of innovative techniques to understand the root cause of your dry eye, including measuring your tear production and quality and evaluating your eye surface. Once we have all the data we need, we create your personalized treatment plan, which may include OptiLight.

Try to schedule your treatment on a day where you know you won’t be exposed to too much sunlight in the following days. Arrive at your appointment with no makeup or lotion on your face. On the day of your appointment, you can expect to relax and settle into your gentle, spa-like treatment.

During Your Treatment

This treatment is fast and simple. During the treatment your doctor will apply a coupling gel on the treatment area and cover your eyes with shields.

As light is applied to the skin, you may experience a warm sensation. The treatment is gentle with minimum discomfort. The treatment itself will only take 10–15 minutes.

OptiLight is often followed by meibomian gland expression [depending on the doctor].

After Your Treatment

Following treatment, you can expect some symptom relief within 24–48 hours. You may experience some slight redness on the treatment area, and your skin will likely be sensitive to sun exposure. It’s vital that you wear proper sunscreen, especially given the beautiful sun we get here in Wilmington at Wrightsville Beach.

Part of Your Custom Treatment Plan

A course of treatment typically includes 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart.

OptiLight is just one of our many available treatment options to relieve your dry eye symptoms. Ask your doctor about all the other ways we can treat your specific dry eye.

Will the OptiLight by Lumenis Work for Me?    

While OptiLight by Lumenis is an effective dry eye management solution, we want to make sure it’s right for you. We do not recommend this treatment if you:

  1. Suffer from aqueous deficiency dry eye (rather than evaporative dry eye or meibomian gland dysfunction)
  2. Have a history of keloid scarring
  3. Have severe scarring around your eyes

Ultimately, your doctor is the only person who can determine whether this option is right for you. During your next appointment, ask us if you are a good candidate for OptiLight by Lumenis.

You Don’t Have to Live With Dry Eye Anymore

Dry, irritated eyes can be managed with a new treatment that brings comfort and can restore quality of life. Visit your eye doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs.