Dry Eye Treatment
What is Dry Eye?
Symptoms
Dry Eye Treatment - Punctal Occlusion
Dry eye is a term used to describe a group of different diseases and conditions that result from inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye.
Although millions of people experience it, dry eye is not always easy to diagnose; it can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as infections or allergies.
Believe it or not, excessive tearing caused by crying, cold weather, etc., can actually cause dry eye symptoms.
Other causes of dry eye include:
- Aging - 75% of individuals over 65 suffer from dry eye.
- Contact Lens Wear - Dry Eye is the leading cause of contact lens intolerance.
- Hormonal Changes in Women - Such as pregnancy, oral contraceptives and menopause.
- Environmental Factors - Smoke , air pollution, sun, wind, cold and dry air.
- Side Effects of Diseases and Medications
- Laser Vision Surgery
- Computer Use
Dry Eye Syndrome is the most common of all eye disorders, affecting approximately 20% of the population. Fortunately, dry eye treatment is avialable for this condition.
There are many different abnormalities that can cause dry eye, such as decreased tear production, excessive evaporation, blinking problems, etc. Many medications,such as antihistamines, can also contribute to dry eye.
Dry eyes usually cause discomfort by the way of burning, itching, a grit in the eye sensation, or even blurry vision.
Do your eyes ever experience any of the following symptoms?
- A stinging sensation
- Scratchiness, grittiness, or a foreign body sensation
- Dryness
- Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
- Mucus secretions in the eye (mattering)
- A Burning Sensation
If you answered YES to one or more of the symptoms above, you may have dry eye.
Only by examination can we positively identify your condition and offer the appropriate dry eye treatment. It's best to book an appointment to verify this diagnosis.
If it is determined that you have dry eye Dr. Benjamin may suggest insertion of punctal plugs.
Punctal Plugs
If you've used drops or ointments in the past and haven't gotten relief from your dry eye condition, Dr. Benjamin may want to occlude (block) your puncta. Puncta are the drainage ducts that your old tears, or extra tears, can escape through while your glands are making new ones. In each of your eyes, there is one punctum in the top eyelid and another on the bottom eyelid, at the corner of the eye that is towards your nose. About 80% of the tears drain from the lower, 20% from the upper puncta.
Punctal plugs do exactly what they sound like: They stop the drains, just like the plug in your kitchen sink. Punctal plugs are made of very soft flexible silicone, similar to that used in contact lenses.
A small plug will be placed in one of the puncta in each eye to stop the puncta from draining away tears and help keep the surface of your eye moist and lubricated. Insertion of punctal plugs just takes a few seconds.
Usually temporary collagen plugs are inserted first to make sure you are a good candidate for permanent silicone plugs. Collagen plugs dissolve on their own, usually within a few days of insertion. Silicone plugs are then inserted.
Some patients will experience tear overflow (epiphora) with punctal plugs. If they go straight to permanent plugs, then depending what type they get it may be difficult to remove them. Collagen plugs will not prove whether silicone plugs will help, but they can help rule out patients who will have overflow or who simply are very unlikely to benefit.
To schedule an appointment for a dry eye treatment evaluation, please call 310.275.5533 and we would be happy to help you or click here.
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