In Utah’s dry climate it is very common for people to experience symptoms of dry eye. If you suffer from frequent dry eyes, you may have dry eye syndrome. It is important to see an experienced eye doctor who can diagnose the cause of your dry eyes in order to recommend the best dry eye treatment plan for you. The dry eye experts at The Eye Institute of Utah offer a full range of dry eye treatments to help patients find relief from irritating dry eye symptoms.
Home Remedies for Dry Eyes
Your eye doctor may make suggestions that can help alleviate dry eye symptoms, including:
Eye doctor recommended dry eye products available at The Eye Institute of Utah:
Prescription Treatments for Dry Eyes
Trusted Source
Safety and efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of chronic dry eye.
Ophthalmol Eye Dis.
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80% of cases
.1 Trusted Source
Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease: results of the OPUS-1 phase 3 study
Ophthalmology.
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improve inflammation in the eye
.2If over-the-counter remedies or prescription eye drops do not deliver enough improvement in dry eye symptoms, a non-surgical procedure may provide relief. Dry eye specialists at The Eye Institute of Utah offer several dry eye treatment options.
If you are a patient who has suffered from moderate to severe dry eye and tried numerous treatments with little symptom relief, you may be a great candidate for the revolutionary LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System.
LipiFlow® works by restoring oil production in the eye’s tear film. When your eye lacks a sufficient amount of oils, your tears (from the aqueous water layer) evaporate at a rapid rate, which ultimately leads to a form of dry eye called evaporative dry eye. This is the most common form of dry eye and is often underdiagnosed. The LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is a 12 minute, in-office treatment that uses applied heat and massaging pressure to your eyelids, helping to loosen and release hardened oils that are clogged in the meibomian glands in the eyelid, restoring normal oil flow.
LipiFlow® treatment requires no down-time or recovery period, and most people are back to work and normal activities shortly after the treatment. Many patients experience symptom relief within the first two weeks, while patients with more severe dry eye may take three months or longer before they feel noticeable relief from dry eye symptoms.
IPL treatment for dry eye disease is an innovative use of a well-established medical procedure. IPL therapy is designed to address Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the root cause of evaporative dry eye. IPL harnesses the power of light to send precise energy to break down any blockages in the meibomian glands in the eyelids. IPL can also reduce inflammation to improve gland function in the eyes.
IPL treatment at The Eye Institute of Utah is a simple in-office procedure. Your eye doctor will use shields and special cooling gel to protect your eyes from the pulses of light. The IPL device will painlessly direct light toward the glands in the eyelids, where the energy of the light pulses will gently heat and liquify any hardened oils that may be clogging the glands. A series of several treatments is usually recommended to ensure that the oil glands are clear and able to produce the necessary oils that are key to keeping eyes hydrated.
An initial treatment bundle of four treatments over the course of four months is designed to help with long-term success in treating both chronic dry eye disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the root cause of dry eye disease.
You don’t have to suffer with itchy, red, irritated eyes that keep you from enjoying life. The eye doctors at The Eye Institute of Utah’s Advanced Dry Eye Clinic will work with you to understand what is causing your dry eyes and create a personalized treatment plan. Contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment.
Sources
1 Schultz C. Safety and efficacy of cyclosporine in the treatment of chronic dry eye. Ophthalmol Eye Dis. 2014;6:37-42. Published 2014 Jun 24. doi:10.4137/OED.S16067
2 Sheppard JD, Torkildsen GL, Lonsdale JD, et al. Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease: results of the OPUS-1 phase 3 study. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(2):475-483
The Eye Institute of Utah Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.