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Dry Eye
Are you experiencing dry, itchy, irritated eyes? You may have dry eye syndrome, a common yet frustrating condition that affects millions of people.
Dr. Reena Patel and her dedicated eye care team at Wichita Vision Institute are here to answer your questions about dry eye and provide advanced treatment options to get you back to feeling comfortable and confident in your eye health and vision.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition that occurs when your eyes are not producing enough tears or the tears in your eyes do not last long enough and evaporate too quickly. These issues can happen due to a decrease in one or more of the three components of a healthy tear film: oil, water, and mucus.
Your tear film must contain adequate amounts of all three components to lubricate your eyes properly. When you have dry eye syndrome, your eyes are at higher risk for irritation and infection, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact your vision and your daily life.
What are the Most Common Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome?
While the condition is called “dry eye,” actual dryness is just one of many symptoms.
Other common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- Irritation and discomfort
- Watery or excessive tearing
- Blurry vision that comes and goes
- Redness and inflammation
- Burning/stinging sensation
- Sensitivity to light and wind
- Feeling like there is something in your eye
- Eye fatigue or tiredness, especially after screen use
- Excess mucus in and around your eyes
- Discomfort or pain when wearing contact lenses
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel at Wichita Vision Institute.
These symptoms are not exclusive to dry eye syndrome and may indicate other eye conditions, so it is essential to have a comprehensive eye exam so that you can be properly diagnosed and establish a treatment plan if needed.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome can be caused by decreased tears (aqueous deficiency) or tears which evaporate too fast (evaporative dryness).
Reduced tear production can be caused by:
- The natural aging process
- Not blinking often enough or fully while concentrating on screens or driving
- Side effects from LASIK, PRK, RK or other eye procedures
- Certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, hormone replacement therapy, sleeping pills, heartburn medication, blood pressure medications, diuretics, and others.
- Hormonal changes such as menopause
- Autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and others
If your dry eyes are linked to tears that evaporate too quickly (Evaporative Dry Eye) it may be caused by:
- Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids
- Rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Environmental factors such as wind, smoke, or dry air
- Wearing contact lenses for extended periods
How is Dry Eye Syndrome Diagnosed?
At Wichita Vision Institute, we utilize advanced diagnostic technology to accurately diagnose and assess your dry eye.
LipiView
LipiView is an innovative technology that allows Dr. Patel to evaluate the lipid layer on your eyes, helping us understand the root cause of your dry eye. This system utilizes a specialized digital image to visualize and measure the lipid layer of your tear film, enabling us to determine if your dry eye is a result of poor oil production.
The LipiView examination takes a few minutes and is straightforward. You will look into a camera and blink normally while a special light, camera, and computer analyze your tear film.
LipiView™ II Ocular Surface Interferometer
Our advanced LipiView II system works similarly to the original LipiView device but boasts additional features, including:
- Real-time visualization of the lipid layer to evaluate the dynamic response of lipids to blinking
- Video and analysis of blink dynamics
- High-definition imaging with Dynamic Meibomian Imaging
- Nanometer accuracy in measuring lipid layer thickness
This imaging allows us to learn how often you blink and how well you blink.
Antares
Our Antares system is a fully featured, multi-functional corneal topographer with dedicated software designed to help in the detection and analysis of dry eye syndrome as well as measure corneal curvature, elevation, and power of your cornea. The dry eye report allows us to measure ocular redness, meibomian gland analysis, tear meniscus analysis, and tear break up time. The Antares provides an overall evaluation of your ocular surface condition for a thorough diagnosis.
Osmolarity
The osmolarity device takes a very tiny sample of your tears to measure the salt concentration of your tears. The drier your eyes are, the saltier your tear sample may be if you have tear production difficulties.
Advanced Treatment Options at Wichita Vision Institute
Depending on the type, cause, and severity of your dry eye syndrome, Dr. Patel at Wichita Vision Institute may recommend one or more treatments, including:
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
We also offer a range of prescription eye drops and over-the-counter medications to help manage your dry eye symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Common prescription eye drops include Restasis, Cyclosporine, Vevye, Cequa, Xiidra, Miebo, Tyrvaya, Tryptyr and others.
Treatments:
Do you think you may have dry eye syndrome? Schedule an appointment with Wichita Vision Institute today to discover which treatment options are right for you.
