Dry Eye Therapy | Longview, TX | Eye Care for East Texas

Dry Eye Relief Is on the Way

If your eyes are feeling irritated, blurry, or scratchy, you may be experiencing dry eye. Dry eye is a condition that occurs when the surface of your eye does not get enough moisture to keep it feeling comfortable. This could be because of age, a particular condition, or even the hot Texas weather.

At Eye Care for East Texas, we’re here to help find relief for your dry eye with our personalized treatment methods. A comprehensive eye exam is a great place to start if your eyes are red, burning, or even excessively watery.

Visit us today, and let us help you find the dry eye relief you need.

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Dry Eye & The Tear Film

Dry eye can be linked to a disturbance to the eye’s tear film. The tear film has three layers: a mucus layer to keep the tears in the eye, a water layer to keep the eyes hydrated, and an oil layer that keeps the water layer from evaporating.

If one or all of the layers are compromised, the amount of tears or the quality of tears that you produce may not keep the eye’s surface moist and comfortable.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the leading causes of dry eye. It is a condition where the meibomian oil glands become clogged, resulting in the oil layer of the tear film being disrupted.

These meibomian glands produce oils that are essential to help smooth tears over the surface of the eye. With not enough oil being produced, the moisture in the eye can quickly dry out, and dry eye can occur.

We offer many treatment options for our patients experiencing dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Talk to us today about how our treatments can help to restore the oils in your eyes and provide the relief you need.

Our Dry Eye Treatments

Dry eye is exactly what it sounds like—it occurs when your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication to keep them moist and comfortable.

There are two main types of dry eye: aqueous deficiency dry eye and evaporative dry eye. The first—and least common—occurs when the eyes simply don’t produce enough tears. The second occurs when the tears lack the appropriate chemical composition to be effective.

When you’re experiencing the irritating symptoms of dry eye, finding a treatment option to help relieve symptoms is key. At our practice, we understand that each patient’s case of dry eye is different, and certain treatment options may work best.

That’s why we offer a variety of treatment options to develop a plan that will help your eye’s individual needs.

You may only require one treatment option to feel dry eye relief or a combination. We’re dedicated to finding the treatment that will work for you and soothe your dry eye symptoms.

TearCare

TearCare is a device that fits over the eyelids to apply localized heat and express the meibomian glands. This device is designed with a universal fit and a natural blink design to be comfortable while wearing it.

The TearCare device also delivers a consistent amount of heat based on sensors to provide a safe amount for the patient.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are small devices placed in the tear duct of the eye to stop the tears from draining out of the eye. The plugs work by restoring the moisture in the eye by keeping it on the surface.

Punctal plugs are quite small and about the size of a grain of rice. There are two main types of plugs: temporary plugs that will dissolve on their own over time and semi-permanent plugs that need to be removed by an eye care professional.

Low-Level Light Therapy

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a form of light therapy that uses non-visible waves of light around the eyelid area to relieve those with meibomian gland dysfunction. LLLT’s non-visible light waves provide expression of the meibomian glands without heat, making it a comfortable treatment for around the eyes.

LLLT works through a process called photoactivation, which absorbs light into the cells to help improve their function and relieve dry eye symptoms.

Warm Compresses

A warm compress is another treatment used to express the meibomian glands and stimulate the oil in the tear film. This method uses heat and slight pressure to lessen dry eye symptoms and soothe inflammation.

Warm compresses also help to stimulate blood flow in the eye area, which can help with swelling, pain, and gland expression.

Eye Drops

To quickly moisten the eye when dry eye is flaring up, lubricating eye drops can add back the moisture that has been lost.

There are many forms of eye drops available, including liquids, gels, and ointments. The type of drop or ointment that may work best for you will depend on how severe your case of dry eye is.

There are also eye drops that contain preservatives or are preservative-free. A preservative in an eye drop will help prevent bacterial growth but can be an irritant to some patients. For those with moderate to severe dry eye, preservative-free options are usually best.

Understand Dry Eye

Learn about how a disruption with your tear film could be causing your dry eye symptoms. Talk to our team today about treatment options during your next exam, and let us help you find relief from your symptoms.

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