Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye treatment can address the underlying cause of the problem. Some patients suffer from lack of tear production, others from excessive evaporation of their tears. Most suffer from a combination of both. Through an exam by Dr. Bowman, she will diagnose the cause and severity of your dry eye, and then recommend the best course of treatment.
Treatments include establishing healthy eyelids and lashes, nutritional supplements, prescription and nonprescription artificial tears, procedures such as lipiflow, very specific contact lens called scleral lens, autologous or blood serum tears, bandage contact lens, and even laser procedures. Treatments vary and are specific for each patient.
Over-the-counter (OTC) topical medications
Mild dry eye symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medications such as artificial teartions.
Environmental and lifestyle changes
Cutting back on screen time and taking periodic eye breaks may help. Closing the eyes for a few minutes, or blinking repeatedly for a few seconds, may replenish basal tears and spread them more evenly across the eye. Sunglasses that wrap around the face and have side shields that block out sunlight.
Smoking cessation
Limiting exposure to secondhand smoke will also help.
Prescription dry eye medications
Cyclosporine and lifitegrast are the only prescription medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating dry eye. Corticosteroid eye drops also may be prescribed short-term to reduce eye inflammation.
Devices
FDA-approved devices provide temporary relief from dry eye by stimulating glands and nerves associated with tear production. Our office is pleased to be one of the first offices to be working with True Tears™.
Surgical Options
Punctal plugs made of silicone or collagen may be inserted by an eye care professional to partially or completely plug the tear ducts at the inner corners of the eye to keep tears from draining from the eye. In severe cases, in-office surgical closure of the drainage ducts.