Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and vision problems.
At Barry Edison Ophthalmology, we understand the impact that dry eye can have on your daily life and are dedicated to providing effective treatment options to alleviate your symptoms.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eye disease or just simply dry eye, is a condition characterized by insufficient moisture in the eyes. This can be due to reduced tear production or increased tear evaporation.
The tear film consists of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Each of these plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health and comfort.
When the balance of these layers is disrupted, it can lead to dry eye symptoms.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Dry Eye?
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome can vary from person to person, but the most common signs include:
- Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Gritty or sandy feeling, as if something is in the eye
- Redness and inflammation
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes, as a reflex response to irritation
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vyas or Dr. Edison at Barry Edison Ophthalmology for diagnosis and treatment.
What Treatments Are Available for Dry Eye?
At Barry Edison Ophthalmology, we offer a range of treatment options tailored to your specific needs. After a comprehensive eye exam, our doctors will tailor a treatment plan to help improve your symptoms.
Some of the available treatments for dry eye include:
Artificial Tears
Over-the-counter artificial tear solutions can help lubricate the eyes and provide temporary relief from dry eye symptoms. These drops mimic the natural tears and can be used as needed throughout the day.
Meibomian Gland Expression
In some cases, the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of the tear film, can become clogged. Manual expression of these glands can help restore the balance of the tear film and alleviate dry eye symptoms.
Radiofrequency
This innovative treatment uses radiofrequency energy to gently heat the eyelids and improve meibomian gland function. Unblocking the oil glands improves the tear film’s quality and stability, reducing dry eye symptoms.
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to reduce tear drainage. By keeping the tears on the eye’s surface for longer, these plugs can help alleviate dry eye symptoms and improve overall eye comfort.
Omega-3
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the quality of the tear film and reduce inflammation. Our doctors may recommend dietary changes or supplements to increase your intake of omega-3.
Warm Compresses
Applying warm compresses to the eyelids can help stimulate tear production and improve meibomian gland function. This simple at-home treatment can be done daily to manage dry eye symptoms.
Pharmaceuticals
Several prescription medications are available to treat dry eye syndrome. These include Xiidra, Restasis, Miebo, Tyrvaya nasal spray, and Cequa.
These medications work by reducing inflammation, increasing tear production, or improving the quality of the tear film. Our doctors will determine the most appropriate pharmaceutical treatment based on the severity of your dry eye and your individual needs.
Amniotic Membrane
An amniotic membrane is the innermost part of the placenta, which is in contact with a fetus. Doctors can collect this placental tissue containing several stem cells and powerful growth factors. Amniotic membranes aid in the healing of various conditions, including treating dry eye disease.
MiBoFlo
What is MiBoFlo?
MiBoFlo is a dry eye treatment that improves meibomian gland function. When meibomian glands are blocked, it is more difficult for your eyes to produce the tears needed for proper lubrication.
MiBoFlo helps by using a therapeutic medical device to break down blockages in the meibomian glands. It also uses heat to stimulate tear production.
How Does MiBoFlo Work?
MiBoFlo is a quick and painless treatment that your eye doctor at Barry Edison Ophthalmology can perform in-office. They are about 30 minutes each, and you will return every two weeks for a total of four MiBoFlo treatments.
During your treatments, your eye doctor will have you close your eyes before they apply ultrasound gel to your eyelids. They will then use the MiBoFlo device to gently massage your eyes.
The heat from the device will break down the hardened blockages in the meibomian glands and promote tear production. This process is completely painless, but you may feel a slight pressure on your eyes during the treatments.
After your series of treatments, the ducts of the meibomian glands should secrete thinner and clearer lipids. This can reduce your dry eye symptoms as your tear film will be healthier, and your eyes will feel more moisturized.
What is the Trifecta?
The Trifecta is a proprietary treatment offered at Barry Edison Ophthalmology that combines three dry eye treatments for maximum comfort and effectiveness. It follows a similar schedule to MiBoFlo treatments, with one hour-long treatment every two weeks for a total of four treatments.
The Trifecta features MiBoFlo, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, and low level light therapy (LLLT). Combining these widely used dry eye treatments can lead to better results for dry eye patients.
MiBoFlo involves the use of a therapeutic medical device to treat dry eyes using thermoelectric radiation. The gentle massage and heat transmitted during treatment help dislodge blockages in the meibomian glands so your eyes can produce a healthy tear film.
IPL is used to treat the underlying causes of dry eye by using gentle pulses of light to release oil buildup in the meibomian glands. It also helps reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
Low level light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses red light energy to treat dry eye by stimulating tear production and releasing oils from the meibomian glands. It is quick, painless, and has long-lasting results.
How Do the Trifecta Treatments Work?
Your eye doctor will begin with IPL to help the blood vessels surrounding your meibomian glands promote natural oil secretion and better moisturization. During your treatment, your eye doctor will place shields over your eyes and apply a cooling gel to the treatment area.
The IPL device will then use scattered light pulses to warm your eyelids, releasing meibomian gland blockages. This results in an improvement in the quality of your tear film and a reduction in inflammation around your eyes.
After IPL, you will undergo the MiBoFlo treatment to further help dislodge meibomian gland blockages for better results. Finally, your eye doctor will use low level light therapy to unclog oil buildup and stimulate tear production.
The treatment is quick, taking only about 15 minutes. Your eye doctor will have you close your eyes and place an LED mask on your face.
The low level red light energy will stimulate the cells in your eyelids to produce more tears and improve dry eye symptoms. Low level light therapy can also help with blepharitis, rosacea, acne, and wrinkles.
Combined with IPL and MiBoFlo, choosing the Trifecta at Barry Edison Ophthalmology is an excellent way to treat dry eye on all fronts. You will need four treatments over time to achieve optimal results.
However, many patients report an improvement in dry eye symptoms after just one treatment.
At Barry Edison Ophthalmology, we are committed to helping you find relief from dry eye syndrome. More innovative treatments will soon be added, offering a variety of options tailored to your particular symptoms of dry eye disease.
Are you experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome? Schedule an appointment at Barry Edison Ophthalmology in Eatontown, NJ, today!
