What is Dry Eye?
Dry eyes is one of the most common symptoms seen in our practice with many of our patients. Not only is dry eye frustrating and miserable to live with, if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems, including impaired vision and an increased risk of eye infections. Dry eye is a disease that can decrease the eye's ability to make and maintain sufficient quality and quantity of tears for a healthy protective film.
If you experience the following symptoms, we would highly recommend scheduling a dry eye evaluation. This visit would be considered a medical office visit and your medical insurance (PPO) would be billed. During a dry eye evaluation we would do special testing such as: Lipiscan (take pictures of your meibomian glands), inflammadry tear test, slit lamp evaluation, dye tests, tear break-up time, and other tests if needed. Once the evaluation is complete we can then recommend the right treatment.
Symptoms of Dry Eye are:
Most dry eye is often caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when the tiny Meibomian glands in the eyelids become stopped up and unable to protect the tear film-a thin oily layer of fluid that covers the outer surface of the eye.
The most likely culprit of MGD is poor blinking. Every time we blink, we activate the muscles around our Meibomian glands, squeezing each one and causing the gland to secrete a droplet of oil into the tear film, which functions to prevent the water layer in our tears to evaporate. We diagnose much more MGD due to the increase in use of electronic devices. When we stare at screens (computer, ipad, cell phone), we tend to decrease our blink rate, which dries our eyes out and slowly over time deteriorates our oil producing glands. So, make sure you blink to keep your glands from deteriorating. Other causes of dry eye may include: age, sjogrens syndrome, eyelid dysfunction, trauma, medications, and constant exposure to moving air (ceiling fan etc.).
During Covid times there have been an increased number of patients experiencing dry eye symptoms due to increased screen time while working from home. There is help to alleviate dry eye syndrome and to preserve the meibomian glands.
MGD has traditionally been hard to treat, but now there's a breakthrough therapy that can help called
Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation
Our office currently has this amazing technology. Dr. Miller and Dr. Ziel can determine if Lipiflow is right for you.
Dry eyes is one of the most common symptoms seen in our practice with many of our patients. Not only is dry eye frustrating and miserable to live with, if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems, including impaired vision and an increased risk of eye infections. Dry eye is a disease that can decrease the eye's ability to make and maintain sufficient quality and quantity of tears for a healthy protective film.
If you experience the following symptoms, we would highly recommend scheduling a dry eye evaluation. This visit would be considered a medical office visit and your medical insurance (PPO) would be billed. During a dry eye evaluation we would do special testing such as: Lipiscan (take pictures of your meibomian glands), inflammadry tear test, slit lamp evaluation, dye tests, tear break-up time, and other tests if needed. Once the evaluation is complete we can then recommend the right treatment.
Symptoms of Dry Eye are:
- Gritty or sandy eyes
- Burning, itchy, stinging eyes
- Redness
- Tired eyes
- Unable to wear contacts all day
- Occassional blurring and watery eyes
Most dry eye is often caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which occurs when the tiny Meibomian glands in the eyelids become stopped up and unable to protect the tear film-a thin oily layer of fluid that covers the outer surface of the eye.
The most likely culprit of MGD is poor blinking. Every time we blink, we activate the muscles around our Meibomian glands, squeezing each one and causing the gland to secrete a droplet of oil into the tear film, which functions to prevent the water layer in our tears to evaporate. We diagnose much more MGD due to the increase in use of electronic devices. When we stare at screens (computer, ipad, cell phone), we tend to decrease our blink rate, which dries our eyes out and slowly over time deteriorates our oil producing glands. So, make sure you blink to keep your glands from deteriorating. Other causes of dry eye may include: age, sjogrens syndrome, eyelid dysfunction, trauma, medications, and constant exposure to moving air (ceiling fan etc.).
During Covid times there have been an increased number of patients experiencing dry eye symptoms due to increased screen time while working from home. There is help to alleviate dry eye syndrome and to preserve the meibomian glands.
MGD has traditionally been hard to treat, but now there's a breakthrough therapy that can help called
Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation
Our office currently has this amazing technology. Dr. Miller and Dr. Ziel can determine if Lipiflow is right for you.
Click on the following two videos on MGD and Lipiflow to learn more.
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Here is Dr. Miller getting his Lipiflow done. He has had dry eye for many years. Since Lipiflow, his eyes feel better and he can wear his contacts lenses longer. He still uses rewetting drops, but not as frequently. |
We are here to get your Happy Eyes Back
Call us today at 925-846-4364 to get a dry eye evaluation
and see if you're a candidate for
Lipiflow
Call us today at 925-846-4364 to get a dry eye evaluation
and see if you're a candidate for
Lipiflow
