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Dry eye management
Home remedies
The first line for mild dry eye symptoms
There are some things you can do to reduce the symptoms of dry eye.
● Blink more when using digital devices
● Reduce screen time
● Use your glasses as prescribed
● Use good quality glasses with task specific lens designs or coatings
● Turn the fan off above your bed
● Turn those car vents away from your face
● Drink lots of water
● Avoid false eyelashes (yes we know you love them)
● Avoid putting eyemakeup along your waterline
● Be careful to clean off all makeup daily
● Use unscented products (even face products or perfumes can exacerbate dry eye symptoms because they disturb the natural tear layer)
● Switch to daily disposable contact lenses
● If you wear contacts, get a pair of glasses so you can remove your contacts as soon as you get home
Over the counter therapy
When home remedies aren't enough.
If you have read this far, chances are you have checked the local pharmacy for eye drops. The options of brightly coloured tiny eye drop bottles seem endless, the ingredients unpronounceable. How do you ever choose?
It's best to let your eye doctor check your eye so they can recommend which over-the-counter options are right for you. It depends on what part of your tear layer is deficient or in some cases there are other factors contributing to your symptoms. Based on their exam they will give you guidance on what products they feel will work right for you.
We also have some available in our office at reasonable prices. We implemented this because we noticed that a lot of our patients would return without started the recommended routine. Usually it was due to difficulty finding the recommended products. Our goal is to keep you from having more then one stop since some of these products are not as readily available at your local pharmacy and with all of the recalls and online resellers in the last few years, we wanted our patients to be able to get the products directly from the manufacturer.
A typical treatment plan may include:
● Moisturizing eye drop
● Eyelash cleanser
● Heat mask
Nutraceuticals
For those who want a natural boost
Since dry eye disease is often inflammatory in nature, there are some studies that have shown the benefits of omega-3 or fish oil supplements in reducing symptoms. It typically can take 3 months before these benefits affect the meibomian glands to improve secretions to your tear layer. Talk to your eye doctor about the right option for you. There are certain concentrations and types that work best for dry eye syndrome, so talk to your doctor before starting any supplements.
Pharmaceuticals
When your ocular tissue is compromised or your symptoms are not controlled with other therapies
If your conjunctiva, cornea or eyelid margins are showing damage from chronic dry eye syndrome, your eye doctor may need to prescribe certain eye drops or oral medications to manage your condition. Untreated dry eye can progress to causing structural and functional changes to your eyes and vision.
There are both short term and long term medications for dry eye damage. The first goal is to get your inflammatory response in check with fast acting anti-inflammatory agents. Once the cycle of inflammation is broken, your doctor will discuss maintenance options with you. Some people are okay to return to home remedies and over-the-counter management after their flare up is treated but others (especially with repeat flare ups) may need chronic medication to control their condition. This can add up in cost and sometimes be a burden to your lifestyle. In these circumstances, some may opt for other in-office procedures.
Other treatments
If you keep neglecting your home remedies or want to avoid being on prescription medications, there are other options.
Our bodies, environment and lifestyles are all very different. All of these things can impact which management will work for you. Our providers work individually with each patient to develop the care plan that will work for them. Sometimes you need to try a few different options before you get to the right one and we are here to guide you safely along that path.
Our doctors routinely scour medical journals, review studies and attend lectures on on the latest dry eye management. We do not give providers or staff incentives or goals for promoting certain products, prescriptions, brands or treatments. Our treatment plans are created based on our own research and years of experience so that we can confidently present you with the best options as we would our own family.