It’s spring in North Texas. Let the watery eyes and sneezing begin. Ah-choo! True, not everyone deals with seasonal allergies, but it’s been estimated that upwards of 35% of Americans suffer from them to some degree. Add to that the fact that North Texas’ unique climate creates an especially long allergy season and you’ve got quite an uncomfortable situation for many of us.
As if seasonal allergies aren’t bad enough on their own, there is a strong link between allergies and Dry Eye. Chronic Dry Eye is a condition that is characterized by eyes that are red, stinging or burning, fatigued and gritty feeling. At Ighani Eye Care, we have advanced treatments for Dry Eye and eye allergy symptoms that get to the root of the problem and don’t just treat symptoms.
What is Dry Eye?
If you don’t have enough quality blinks, you will not make enough natural tears and your eyes will begin to feel it. The technical term for this condition is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), 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.
Whether your Dry Eye is brought on by seasonal allergies, excessive screen time, certain prescription medications, medical conditions or a combination of factors, this is a bothersome eye condition that can be painful and persistent.
How is Dry Eye Treated?
At your appointment, one of our experienced providers 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.
Your personal Dry Eye assessment may include tear volume measurement and evaporation rate, ocular allergy antigen testing, tear sampling for inflammation markers, meibomian gland imaging and more. Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend warm compresses and prescription eye drops (Restasis and Xiidra).
In more severe or persistent cases, we are able to offer one other treatment for our patients living with chronic Dry Eye. Punctal Plugs are tiny devices which are inserted in the ducts in your lids to slow the drainage of tears away from your eyes, keeping your eyes more moist. This procedure is performed in-office and has a strong success rate.
Dry Eye treatment at Ighani Eye Care is highly individualized and other elements of your custom treatment plan may include lubrication, hygiene and even prescription medication. Treatment, in many cases, will include a personalized at-home regimen.
We Care. You’ll See.
A lifelong commitment to regular comprehensive eye care is the best safeguard for maintaining good vision and eye health at any stage of life. If you don’t already have an eye care provider, we would be honored if you would consider Ighani Eye Care.
The advanced technology we use for medical eye exams enables early detection of many eye conditions beyond Dry Eye that can cause vision issues, including Macular Degeneration, Diabetic and Hypertensive Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Keratoconus, Flashes and Floaters, Retinal Tears and Detachment and more.
More than a provider of the latest advancements in ophthalmology, the vision of Ighani Eye Care isn’t just about technology – it is about people. In an age where healthcare is becoming less personal than ever, we cut against that grain. We treat each patient we serve with respect. Honor. Warmth. Like family. Because to us, you are. Schedule your appointment today.
