Helping You Manage Dry Eye Disease
At Daniel Island Eye Care, we understand the discomfort and frustration that dry eye can cause. More than 16 million Americans experience dry eyes, a chronic problem when your tears don’t provide enough lubrication for your eyes.
Dry eye can leave your eyes feeling irritated, gritty, and sensitive. We can help ease your symptoms and address the root cause of your dry eye with treatments like OptiLIGHT by Lumenis, LipiFlow, medicated eye drops, and more.
Our comprehensive dry eye treatment program is designed to provide relief through personalized care. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
Understanding Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is inadequate.
Your tear film is made up of 3 layers:
- The oily outer layer
- The watery middle layer
- The inner mucus layer
When any one of the layers is compromised, dry eye and inflammation can develop. Our approach to dry eye treatment begins with a thorough diagnosis to identify the root cause of your symptoms.
Causes of Dry Eyes
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough lubricating tears or if the tears you do produce are of poor quality Many factors can change the quality of your tears, including medications and environmental influences.
While the condition is more common in certain people over 50, anyone can experience the symptoms of dry eye disease.
Although dryness is a more obvious symptom, you can also have excess watering or the sensation of something in your eye.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
Some common symptoms of dry eyes can include:
- Burning eyes
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Light sensitivity
- Heavy or tired eyes
- Irritated or red eyes
If you have dry eye, treating and managing the condition is essential to help alleviate your symptoms and reduce the risk of future complications.
Diagnosing Dry Eye
At Daniel Island Eye Care, we use a comprehensive array of diagnostic tools to accurately identify the underlying causes of your dry eye symptoms. Our diagnostic process helps us tailor a treatment plan specifically to your needs, helping you find relief.
The diagnostic stage can help our team determine what level of dry eye care you need.
Meibography is an imaging technique that helps us visualize the meibomian glands in your eyelids. These glands produce the essential oils that form the outer layer of your tear film, preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly.
By assessing the structure and function of these glands, we can determine if meibomian gland dysfunction contributes to your dry eye condition.
The TearLab Osmolarity Test measures your tears’ saltiness (osmolarity), a critical indicator of dry eye disease. Elevated tear osmolarity suggests that your tears are more concentrated, often due to insufficient tear production or excessive evaporation.
InflammaDry is a quick, in-office test that can detect the presence of MMP-9, an inflammatory marker found in the tears of patients with dry eye disease. By identifying elevated levels of MMP-9, we can confirm the role of inflammation in your dry eye and tailor treatment to address this specific cause.
Schirmer’s test is a reliable method for measuring tear production. During this test, we place a small strip of filter paper under your lower eyelid and measure how much of the strip is wetted by your tears over a set period. This test helps us determine if your eyes produce enough tears, a key factor in diagnosing aqueous-deficient dry eye.
Subjective Tear Breakup Time (TBUT) is a test that measures the stability of your tear film. During this test, we apply a small amount of dye to your eye and ask you to blink. We then observe how long it takes for dry spots to appear on your cornea, indicating the tear film has broken up.
What Is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic and progressive condition affecting the function of the tiny meibomian glands that line your eyelids. These glands produce the tear film’s oily layer, which is essential for preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly.
MGD symptoms can include:
- Watery eyes
- Fluctuating or blurry vision
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses or eye makeup
OptiLIGHT by Lumenis can help address MGD by gently stimulating your meibomian glands, helping release the oils your eyes need.
OptiLIGHT by Lumenis for Dry Eye
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.
OptiLIGHT uses precise pulses of light to reduce the inflammation that is typically associated with dry eye disease, improve tear break-up time, and increase meibomian gland functionality.
Personalized Dry Eye Treatment
Based on your diagnosis, we will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your dry eye’s root cause and help provide long-term relief.
Our process has levels, and depending on your needs and severity of dry eyes, we can choose the right path for you.
- Warm compresses: Applying warm compresses to your eyelids helps to melt any blockages in the meibomian glands, allowing them to produce healthy oils that stabilize your tear film.
- Lid hygiene: Proper eyelid hygiene helps remove debris and bacteria that can contribute to dry eyes. We can provide detailed instructions on effective cleaning techniques.
- Artificial tears: Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can help lubricate your eyes and alleviate dry eye symptoms.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: This in-office treatment is for more persistent or severe cases of dry eye. Using light pulses, IPL can reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands.
We will also discuss lifestyle modifications that can help manage dry eye, such as:
- Increasing your omega-3 fatty acid intake through diet or supplements.
- Using a humidifier at home to add moisture to the air.
- Reducing screen time or taking breaks to minimize eye strain.
We understand that dry eye can be frustrating, but with the right treatment plan, you can find relief for lasting comfort.
Our Other Dry Eye Treatment Options
We also offer a range of dry eye treatments tailored to your specific needs, including:
- Punctal plugs: These tiny devices are inserted into the tear ducts to temporarily reduce tear drainage and help improve tear film stability.
- LipiFlow thermal pulsation system: An innovative technology, LipiFlow uses heat and pressure to unclog blocked meibomian glands and help restore proper oil production.
- Meibomian gland expression: Our optometrists can manually express the meibomian glands to help clear blockages and improve tear quality.
- Eyelid debridement: This procedure involves removing debris and hardened oil from the eyelid margins to help restore proper function.
Comprehensive Care for Lasting Relief
We believe in a holistic approach to treating dry eye at Daniel Island Eye Care. Our team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include lifestyle modifications, dietary supplements, and ongoing monitoring and check-ins.
If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with us today. Let us help you find the right treatment to restore comfort and clarity to your vision.
Get Relief from Dry Eye
Living with dry, irritated eyes can make even simple tasks uncomfortable. Our dedicated team of optometrists offers tailored solutions to help you find relief from dry eye. During your eye exam, we use diagnostics to uncover the cause of your dry eye symptoms and provide treatments like prescription drops, heat therapy, or lifestyle recommendations. Trust us to deliver the care you need for refreshed, hydrated vision.
Your Partner in Managing Keratoconus
Keratoconus can make daily life challenging, but with the right care, we can help you manage it. At Daniel Island Eye Care, our optometrists specialize in diagnosing and managing this condition with solutions like scleral lenses and diagnostics like corneal topography.
These customized treatments can improve vision and protect long-term eye health. Book your eye exam today for the first step toward clearer vision and better eye health.
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Our Address
- 297 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 101
- Daniel Island, SC 29492
Contact Information
- Phone: 843-471-2733
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