Dry Eye Specialist

What is dry eye syndrome?

When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the quality of your tears is poor, it can lead to dry eye syndrome (also known as dry eye disease). Tears are essential for keeping your eyes healthy and lubricated, so it’s important to seek professional care if your symptoms persist or worsen. If left untreated, dry eye syndrome can damage the surface of your eyes and affect your vision or lead to complications.

Dry eye symptoms

Whether your dry eye symptoms are mild or severe, we are here to help you find relief and improve your eye health and vision. Dry eye symptoms may include:

• Grittiness or feeling like there’s sand in your eyes
• An itching or burning sensation
• Excessive tearing (watery eyes)
• Blurry vision, especially when reading or using screens
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye redness
• Discomfort wearing contact lenses
• Eye fatigue or heaviness
• Stringy mucus around the eyes
• Difficulty driving at night

Common causes of dry eyes

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of dry eye to effectively manage the condition. One of the leading causes of dry eyes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These tiny glands are located along the eyelid margins and produce an oily substance that helps keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or dysfunctional, it can lead to decreased oil production and result in dry eyes. Other common causes of dry eye include:

• Aging (higher risk over 40)
• Environmental factors such as exposure to smoke, wind, or dry air
• Prolonged screen time
• Certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants
• Conditions like autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome), diabetes, and thyroid disorders
• Post-LASIK or cataract surgery
• Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal treatments
• Contact lens wear

How is dry eye disease diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing dry eye at Northeast Eye Care is a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, our experienced optometrist will evaluate your overall eye health and ask you about any symptoms you may be experiencing. We use state-of-the-art technology like meibography to accurately diagnose dry eye and track the progress of your treatment.

Meibography

Meibography is a revolutionary imaging technique that allows us to see the structure of your meibomian glands. These glands produce the oily layer of your tears that helps keep them from evaporating too quickly. By taking images of these glands, our eye doctor can assess their health and function, which is crucial in diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome.

Meibography helps us monitor the effectiveness of your treatment over time. By comparing images taken before and after treatment, we can visually see improvements in the function of your meibomian glands and the overall health of your tear film. We use this technology to track your condition’s progression and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Dry eye treatment

If you are diagnosed with dry eye, our eye doctor will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. We offer a variety of treatment options to help relieve your symptoms and improve your overall eye health:

• Prescription eye drops specifically formulated to treat dry eyes
• Amniotic membrane therapy: This treatment involves applying a piece of amniotic membrane to the surface of the eye to help promote healing and reduce inflammation. It’s a safe and effective way to address dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye health.
• Punctal plugs: These tiny devices are inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage and keep more moisture on the surface of the eye. Punctal plugs can provide lasting relief from dry eye symptoms and reduce the need for artificial tears.

We also offer advanced in-office treatments at our three office locations in West Point, Pender, and Oakland. If you have severe or chronic dry eye and other treatment options are ineffective, we may suggest the following procedures:

Schedule an appointment today

Don’t let dry eye syndrome affect your daily life any longer. With our expert guidance and care, you can finally say goodbye to those irritating symptoms and enjoy clear, comfortable vision once again. Schedule an appointment with our dry eye specialists in West Point, Pender, or Oakland, Nebraska.
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