Dry Eyes service located in Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Lake Orion, Novi, Ypsilanti, Michigan

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to lubricate them. It may also result when the tears you produce aren’t sufficient in providing necessary nutrients to your eyes.

Tears are essential for maintaining good eye health. They also moisturize the front of your eye to provide you with clear vision.

Chronic dry eye increases your risk for eye infections and causes several uncomfortable symptoms.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

When you have dry eye syndrome, you may frequently feel like something is in your eye. Other common dry eye symptoms include:

• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Excessive watering

What causes dry eye?

Many things in daily life can cause dry eye in an otherwise healthy person, including prolonged staring, screen time, and driving. You may also experience dry eye symptoms as you age and tear production decreases. Other causes of dry eye include:

• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications
• Environmental factors
• Underlying medical conditions

If you use a computer for extended periods, you may not blink your eyes frequently or adequately enough, resulting in dry eye. Dry eye is also a common side effect of eye surgeries, including LASIK®.

How is dry eye diagnosed?

A thorough evaluation of your eye health is conducted to determine the cause of dry eye.

During your exam, a variety of tests may be administered to diagnose dry eye and to help formulate a management plan. A common test involves using eye drops that temporarily numb your eyes, followed by a special paper strip that determines how much moisture is present in your eyes.

What treatments are available for dry eye?

A thorough evaluation of your eye health is performed to determine the cause of dry eye. Tests may be conducted to evaluate the amount of moisture your eyes produce.

Treatment of dry eye is sophisticated and tailored to each patient’s condition. Options range from pharmaceuticals to lid hygiene regimens, artificial tears, medicated eye drops or ointments, and protective contact lenses.

Part of dry eye prevention involves proper eye hygiene, including regularly cleaning your eyelids and lashes to remove debris, dead skin, and allergens.

IPL Therapy for Dry Eye

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is an advanced treatment used to manage chronic dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This non-invasive technology uses gentle pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes to reduce inflammation and improve the function of the oil-producing glands in the eyelids.

Healthy meibomian glands are essential for producing the oil layer of your tears, which helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or inflamed, patients may experience symptoms such as burning, irritation, redness, and blurry vision.

IPL treatment works by:

• Reducing inflammation around the eyelids
• Improving meibomian gland function
• Stabilizing the tear film
• Decreasing dryness, irritation, and redness

Many patients notice gradual improvement in comfort and tear quality after a series of IPL treatments. IPL therapy can be an effective option for individuals who have not found relief with artificial tears or other traditional dry eye treatments.

TearCare® System

The TearCare® System is an innovative treatment designed to relieve evaporative dry eye by addressing blocked or poorly functioning meibomian glands.

During treatment, flexible devices are placed on the eyelids to gently deliver controlled heat to the glands. This heat helps soften and loosen hardened oils that may be blocking the glands. After warming the eyelids, your eye care provider manually expresses the glands to restore healthy oil flow.

Benefits of TearCare treatment may include:

• Improved tear stability
• Relief from dryness, burning, and irritation
• Better gland function
• Long-lasting symptom relief

Because TearCare allows patients to blink naturally during treatment, it can provide a comfortable and effective solution for restoring the natural tear film and improving overall eye comfort.

Amniotic Membrane Therapy

For patients with severe or persistent dry eye, amniotic membrane therapy can help promote healing and reduce inflammation on the surface of the eye.

Amniotic membranes are derived from natural tissue that contains healing properties, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory components. When placed on the eye, the membrane acts as a protective barrier while encouraging the surface of the eye to repair itself.

This treatment may be recommended for patients with:

• Severe dry eye disease
• Corneal damage from chronic dryness
• Inflammation of the ocular surface
• Slow-healing eye injuries or conditions

Amniotic membrane therapy can help restore the health of the eye’s surface, reduce discomfort, and support long-term healing when other treatments have not been sufficient.

Schedule a consultation online or by phone to learn more about dry eye treatments.