Dry eye can be a side effect of various different factors, ranging from environmental factors to post operative symptoms from surgical procedures. There are treatments that vary depending on the severity and cause of your dry eye symptoms, which we can help establish and prescribe to you here at Aesthetics by OCLI.

How Are Dry Eyes Diagnosed?

First and foremost, a comprehensive eye exam will be done to gather basic details about the condition of your eyes, specifically including a complete history of your overall health and eye health. Your provider may also measure your tear production, where blotting strips of paper are placed under your lower eyelids and are measured after about five minutes to asses the amount of strip soaked by your natural tears. There are other tests that use dyes in eyedrops to determine the surface condition of your eyes, in which your doctor will look for staining patterns and measure how long it takes your tears to evaporate from the surface of your eyes.

How Can I Treat Dry Eye?

Depending on the severity of your dry eye symptoms, treatments range from low-key maintenance to surgical procedures. Artificial tears, gels, and ointments, all available over the counter, offer temporary relief by providing replacement of naturally produced tears. Wearing glasses or sunglasses that fit close to the face can help slow the evaporation of tears from the surface of the eyes. An air cleaner to filter dust and other particles an help with prevention, and a humidifier also may help by adding moisture to the air. Avoiding dry conditions and allowing your eyes to rest are crucial in preventative care for dry eyes.

In some cases of dry eye, diminished oil layers can cause an otherwise adequate supply of tears to disappear. In many cases of this, you may be prescribed warm compresses, massaging of the eyelids to help the oil layer flow normally, or a high dose of fish oil to help absorption. More severe cases may require a prolonged treatment of low-dosage antibiotics to maintain a normal tear film. If there is a deficiency of tears, you may need medicine other than artificial tears which can be prescribed to you by your provider. Ultimately, for the most severe cases, there are a variety of surgical procedures that can be done to help drain the tear ducts in order to promote healthy tear production.

If you would like to learn more about the treatment of dry eyes or schedule a consultation, please contact us at Aesthetics by OCLI today!