After spending the weekend in a very dry environment while attending a conference, I began to wonder if I have dry eye syndrome. I talked to many people there about their eyes- people of all ages were complaining about their contacts, eye irritation and general eye fatigue inside the large convention hall.
So many times we dismiss our eye related symptoms as allergies or lack of sleep- which are factors in discomfort. But what about a persistent situation that finally drives us to seek help from our Optometrist?
Optometrists see so much more Dry Eye and Blepharitis these days, and you may receive this diagnosis too.
What Is Dry Eye?
The tiny glands in your eye called Meibomian glands produce an oil that mixes with your tears and stabilizes tear film. The tear film is crucial to your eye comfort, and serves many functions like washing away dust and debris and fighting bacterial infection.
People who suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome may have Meibomian glands that are failing to work properly, and the tear film becomes unstable, fails to do its job and may evaporate more quickly. Other factors that contribute to Dry Eye Syndrome are staring at a computer screen for long periods of time, prolonged contact lens wear, environmental conditions such as dry, sunny & windy conditions, medications, and medical conditions such as Diabetes. And, Dry Eye can be a natural part of the aging process.
Here at Montgomery Vision Care, we take all of your lifestyle factors into consideration when making a diagnosis of Dry Eye. The good news is that there are now more products to help treat Dry Eye than in the past.
Lid Washes and Scrubs- Avenova, Occusoft, and Cliradex
These are all brands that Dr. Fiorenza may prescribe for your Dry Eye conditions, including Blepharitis. This is a condition where the Meibomian glands become inflamed and irritated, and can be evidenced by red, itchy eyelids and dry, gritty sensation in the eyes. These are easy to use, topical solutions which bring immediate comfort. However, you will need to implement a daily treatment plan to treat the symptoms long term. Here’s a great video that discusses dry eye symptoms and treatment with Avenova: Avenova “What is Dry Eye?”
Contact Lenses Designed specifically for Tear Comfort- Acuvue Oasys
Montgomery Vision Care Optician Kim Bowling, LDO, has seen great success with a new contact lens from Vistakon- ACUVUE OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses 1-Day with HydraLuxe™. “These feel like silk!” she said when I recently asked her about the lenses. “People who have been out of contacts due to dry eye and irritation are able to wear lenses again because of the new technology which has a tear-infused design with an enhanced network of tear-like molecules that integrates with the patients’ own tear film. It’s remarkable!” Learn more here: Acuvue Oasys with Hydraluxe
What Do I Do if I Suspect Dry Eye Syndrome?
Call Montgomery Vision Care and schedule an appointment with Dr. Laura Fiorenza. She will be able to examine, diagnose and treat your symptoms and bring much-needed relief. And you may even find a new contact lens that actually increases your eye comfort!
