Dry Eye
Dry Eye is more common today than ever before. And while your issue could be allergy-related, most experts agree that screen time (things like computers, smartphones, video gaming) is likely to blame for increased dry eye symptoms in most cases. These activities can interfere with quality and quantity of blinks, which can result in dry eye.
Not enough quality blinks means not enough natural tears. This leads to, you guessed it, dry eye. The technical term for this condition is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD for short!), and it is the leading cause of chronic dry eye.
The meibomian glands are found in the upper and lower eyelids. Their job is to secrete oil onto the surface of the eye, which helps keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. MGD is a blockage of those glands, so they don’t secrete enough oil. When tears evaporate too quickly, the result is dry eyes.
How is Dry Eye Treated?
Our experienced dry eye specialists will perform diagnostic testing and a complete exam that will help us pinpoint the source of your unique situation. This is an important diagnostic step because chronic dry eye symptoms are similar to those of allergies and even some eye infections.
Beyond warm compresses and prescription eye drops (Restasis and Xiidra Meibo), we are able to offer punctal plugs for our patients living with chronic dry eye. These tiny devices are inserted in the ducts in your lids to slow the drainage of tears away from your eyes, keeping your eyes more moist.
Healing Dry Eye Naturally
- With Prokera
An incredible breakthrough in the treatment of chronic dry eye uses amniotic membrane tissue to promote healing and reduce the bothersome inflammation that characterize chronic dry eye.
The amniotic membrane in Prokera contains growth factors and other healing properties that help the eye surface regenerate and reduce inflammation. Different applications for this regenerative therapy are available. It could be as simple as Dr. Ighani gently coating the front of the affected eye with the corneal bandage solution in a simple, in-office procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activities right away and the treatment can give relief for up to six months. This procedure may be covered by your medical insurance, consult with one of our office staff to find out more.
Dry eye is common but that doesn’t mean you have to just live with it.
Studies show that more than 93% of patients who have the Prokera treatment report significant relief from their dry eye symptoms. It is a non-invasive, natural approach to lasting dry eye relief, making it a popular choice among patients.