Dry Eye Therapy

Your Source for Dry Eye Relief

Feeling the symptoms of dry eye can be irritating and get in the way of your daily life. At Sandia Vision Clinic, we want to be your source for your dry eye needs and provide relief through our targeted management options.

Our approach to dry eye diagnosis and management is driven by our technology and treatment solutions to help address the root cause of your symptoms to find relief.

You may brush off your dry eye symptoms, but if your eyes are feeling irritated and uncomfortable for an extended period of time, you may need to visit us for a comprehensive eye exam.

Contact our practice today to book yours.

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About Dry Eye

Dry eye disease occurs when there are not enough tears being produced to lubricate the surface of the eye or when the tears that are produced are not good quality.

Having enough moisture on the surface of the eye is essential not only for eye health and clear vision but also for the eye’s comfort.

OptiPLUS by Lumenis

OptiPLUS by Lumenis is now available at our clinic. This FDA-cleared radiofrequency treatment uses innovative dual-frequency technology to address a range of dry eye symptoms.

OptiPLUS can precisely heat multiple skin layers to target the meibomian glands, stimulate collagen production, and aid in inflammation control and cell regeneration.

When paired with OptiLIGHT, we can offer an enhanced treatment to help address the root cause of dry eye and break the inflammation cycle. We’re ready to provide a holistic, personalized approach to dry eye care that can help you start enjoying your vision with clarity and comfort.

Our Technical Approach

To give your eyes the care they need, we use a technical approach to treating dry eye. Our strategy involves understanding what is causing your dry eye and finding the treatment that can work to help your symptoms.

The modern devices that we use at our practice include the OptiLIGHT IPL, LipiFlow, and LLLT therapy. Each treatment strategy is unique in its approach to treating dry eye, but they all work to help you feel the relief you need.

OptiLIGHT IPL

OptiLIGHT by Lumenis is a light-based, noninvasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.

The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.

Learn more on our OptiLIGHT by Lumenis page.

LipiFlow

LipiFlow thermal pulsation is a dry eye treatment device that specifically targets dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Lipiflow uses a combination of heat and massage to target blockage due to MGD and release moisture back into the eyes within just 12 minutes.

The device is placed over the eyes and focuses on the inner eyelid, the area where the meibomian glands are. The heat and massage from the device liquify blockages for those with MGD.

Low-Level Light Therapy

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) uses a combination of red and near-infrared waves of light, which are non-thermal and don’t produce any heat. Because no heat is produced with LLLT, it is safe to use around the eyelid and for dry eye treatment.

LLLT can work to help those with MGD and dry eye through a process called photoactivation. Through photoactivation, this light is absorbed into the meibomian glands on a cellular level, which can help improve function.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye can come with many symptoms. You may have dry eye if you are experiencing the following:

Redness
A stinging or burning sensation
Sensitivity to light
Watery eyes
Mucus in the eye
Blurry vision

Dry Eye Risk Factors

Dry eye can be more likely to affect those with potential risk factors. Some dry eye risk factors to consider include:

Being over the age of 65
Hormonal changes due to menopause, oral contraceptives, or pregnancy
Taking certain medications such as antihistamines or decongestants
Having a medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes
Living in a dry or smoky climate

Your Tear Film

The tear film of the eye is made up of 3 layers that work together to coat the eye’s surface. These layers are:

The mucus layer (the inner layer)
The water layer (the middle layer)
The oil layer (the outer layer)

If there is a problem with any of the layers of the tear film, it can cause symptoms of dry eye.

Each layer of the tear film works to keep the eye moist. The mucus layer of the eye keeps the moisture locked in. The water layer hydrates the surface and keeps out bacteria. Finally, the oil layer keeps the tears smooth and keeps the water layer from evaporating.

The 2 Types of Dry Eye

Dry eye disease can be categorized into 2 different types: evaporative and aqueous tear deficiency. Each type is distinct, and we won’t know which type is the cause of your dry eye until we can examine your eyes.

Evaporative Dry Eye

Evaporative dry eye occurs due to a deficiency in the oily layer of the tear film. When the oily layer is disturbed, the moisture in the eye can evaporate and cause dry eye symptoms. This is the most common type of dry eye.

This oil layer deficiency can be caused by disorders such as meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis.

Aqueous Tear Deficiency

Aqueous tear deficiency occurs due to a decrease in tear production from the lacrimal glands, also known as your tear glands. It is a less common form of dry eye and only accounts for about one-tenth of cases.

The most common causes of aqueous tear deficiency are due to an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s disease, and age.

The Role of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of dry eye and occurs in about 85 % of cases. MGD occurs when the meibomian gland becomes blocked, and the oil layer of the tear film is not able to spread onto the eye. This can cause the water layer to evaporate and lead to dry eye symptoms.

MGD can also be linked to another dry eye condition called blepharitis. Blepharitis is the crusting and flaking of the eyelids due to increased bacteria. Posterior blepharitis affects the inner part of the eye where the meibomian glands are and can be a cause of MGD.