Dry Eye Treatment
The Sacramento Valley is a great place to live, thanks in large part to its dry and pleasant climate. However, that same climate also contributes to a high incidence of an irritating condition known as dry eye disease.
Because of the spread-out nature of the agricultural communities around the Valley, a lot of those cases go untreated. North Valley Eye Care specializes in treating dry eye disease through various means, from medication solutions to procedures that help reduce symptoms.
At North Valley Eye Care, our eye doctors have experience helping the people of this beautiful region of California find relief from this unpleasant condition.
What is Dry Eye Disease?
Chronic dry eye disease occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears produced evaporate too quickly. The eyes not only feel uncomfortable as a result, but they also become more susceptible to injury or infection.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye disease usually arises from a problem with the eye’s tear production system. It is important to note first that tears are not simply water, they are a balanced blend of mucous, oil, proteins, antibodies, and water.
The three main components of this fluid help protect and nourish the front surface of the eye. The mucus component is produced by the cells on the surface of the eye.
For the other components, there are two types of glands in the eye that help produce these:
The Lacrimal Gland
This gland generates the watery part of tears
The Meibomian Glands
These are a series of glands around the eyelids that produce a special oil. This oil helps create a film on the outer surface of the tears that prevents the fluid from evaporating too quickly.
If the lacrimal gland is not functioning properly, not enough watery fluid (the bulk of tears) is produced. If the problem is with the meibomian glands, then not enough oil is present to prevent rapid evaporation.
A number of factors can cause disruptions in these essential parts of the eye that generate and retain tears. As you get older, for example, the meibomian glands may produce less oil.
Health conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s may also affect tear flow, as can hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or menopause. Certain medications, including blood pressure regulators, antihistamines, or anti-anxiety drugs, to name a few, can interfere with gland function.
Even some types of eye surgery might later contribute to dry eye symptoms. There are also environmental factors that aggravate dry eye disease like hot, dry, or windy conditions, or smoke or pollution in the air.
Additionally, certain lifestyle activities or habits increase the chances of dry eyes, such as wearing contact lenses, spending long periods viewing a computer screen or television, or even reading.
What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
Unlike progressive eye conditions like cataracts or glaucoma, those with chronic dry eyes usually notice symptoms right away. The most common of these are:
Another symptom that does not seem to fit with the others is watery eyes. Because of the scratchiness or burning, the body senses that something is in the eyes and automatically increases tear production in an attempt to flush it out.
How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
To determine the best treatment for dry eyes, your eye doctor will try to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. This often involves a comprehensive eye examination, a complete health history, and specific tests that measure different functions of your tear system.
One such test is called tear osmolarity testing. During this test, your eye doctor will measure the level of salt content in a sample of your tears.
If the tears are too high in salt, it may mean there’s not enough watery fluid present. This test can then help determine which treatment option is best for relieving your dry eye symptoms.
Treating Dry Eyes at North Valley Eye Care
At North Valley Eye Care, our eye doctors offer a range of treatment options, such as:
Prescriptions
Eye doctors may prescribe a medication that targets a specific underlying cause of dry eyes. For instance, some medicines help reduce eyelid inflammation that might be preventing the production of oil in the meibomian glands.
Other medications, including a nasal spray, might stimulate tear production. The most common, like artificial tears or drops made from the patient’s own blood serum, increase the volume of tears within the eyes.
Punctal Plugs
These tiny devices are inserted into the puncta, tiny openings in the eyes that drain excess tear fluid. Punctal plugs block these openings, preventing what tears are present from draining away too quickly.
They are used in advanced cases to prolong the time tears remain in the eye.
Amniotic Membrane Therapy
In severe cases of dry eyes, doctors can place a temporary membrane covering over the surface of the eye. This acts kind of like a biological bandage that protects the eyes and allows for healing of surface damage.
These membranes are made from fetal placentas and are screened for disease and then treated with antibiotics. A number of different membrane products exist, including the brands Prokera®, NEOX FLO, and XcellerEYES™.
Are you experiencing symptoms of dry eye? Schedule an appointment at North Valley Eye Care in Chico, CA, today!
