Say Goodbye to Discomfort
Comprehensive Care for Better Eye Health
Dry eye syndrome is a common and often frustrating condition that affects millions of people. Yet, many individuals don’t realize they can seek professional help to alleviate their symptoms. Midwest Eye Associates offers comprehensive dry eye treatments to help you find relief and restore comfort to your eyes.
The Types of Dry Eye Syndrome
There are two main types of DES:
- Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when the tear glands do not produce enough aqueous (watery) component of tears. Various factors, including aging, certain medical conditions, or damage to the tear glands, can cause it.
- Evaporative Dry Eye: This type happens when the tears evaporate too quickly. It is often related to dysfunction of the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which produce the oily layer of the tear film that helps prevent evaporation. This is known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
What Causes Dry Eye?
There are two main types of DES:
- Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when the tear glands do not produce enough aqueous (watery) component of tears. Various factors, including aging, certain medical conditions, or damage to the tear glands, can cause it.
- Evaporative Dry Eye: This type happens when the tears evaporate too quickly. It is often related to dysfunction of the meibomian glands in the eyelids, which produce the oily layer of the tear film that helps prevent evaporation. This is known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
Do You Have Dry Eye? Common Symptoms
- Persistent dryness or a gritty sensation in the eyes
- Redness and irritation
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Blurred vision, especially after prolonged periods of focus
- Excessive tearing as a response to irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye syndrome (DES) is an eye condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to insufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye.
Tears are essential for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and providing clear vision. When the quantity or quality of tears is compromised, it can result in discomfort, visual disturbances, and potential damage to the eye's surface.
Why Professional Dry Eye Treatment Matters
Seeking professional help for dry eye is crucial because it ensures an accurate diagnosis by determining the underlying cause of your symptoms. You can effectively manage and alleviate discomfort with a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Professional care also helps prevent complications, such as eye infections or damage to the corneal surface, which can result from untreated dry eye. Ultimately, professional treatment can enhance your comfort and improve your daily functioning, leading to a better quality of life.
Treating Dry Eye at Midwest Eye Associates
We take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating dry eye. Our detailed evaluation includes assessing your tear production, tear film quality, and overall eye health. Based on the evaluation, our eye doctors develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This plan may include:
- Artificial Tears and Lubricants: To supplement natural tear production, including the use of Oasis Tears for immediate relief.
- Prescription Eye Drops and Medication: Anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce inflammation and increase tear production.
- Punctal Plugs: Tiny devices are inserted into the tear ducts to retain moisture and prevent tears from draining away too quickly.
- Therapeutic Procedures: Advanced treatments such as TearCare, a specialized meibomian gland treatment to improve tear film quality and reduce symptoms.
- Supplements: Specifically for patients with dry eye, a three to six-month plan of supplements, followed by a re-evaluation to assess results.
We provide ongoing care with regular follow-ups to monitor your progress and adjust treatments as needed.
If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule a consultation at one of our eye clinics in St. Charles, Wentzville, Creve Coeur, or St. Peters. Our team is dedicated to providing effective, personalized care to help you find lasting comfort.