New Developments in Dry Eye Treatments

Itchy, burning, and tired eyes can be quite a nuisance — but not just that. If you develop dry eye disease, your daily activities can become challenging.

But there’s good news! Recent advancements in dry eye treatments offer new options to relieve you from this ocular surface disorder.

Today, we will discuss everything from home remedies to more advanced treatments for dry eyes. If this eye condition is putting a pause on your life, keep reading to know more!

Dry Eye Disease: Types, Causes, and Symptoms

There are two main types of dry eye disease, though you may experience a mix of both. These are:

1. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: Your eyes can’t support sufficient natural tear production.
2. Evaporative Dry Eye: Tears evaporate fast due to problems in the oil-secreting meibomian glands.

Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Sandy, burning, or itchy sensations
• Redness
• Pain
• Tiredness
• Blurry vision
• Heavy eyelids

The causes of dry eyes include Meibomian gland dysfunction, underlying inflammation, anterior blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis, or anterior uveitis. These can be attributed to one or more of the following:

• Prolonged exposure to a dry environment
• Excess screen time
• Corneal nerve desensitivity due to contact lens
• Age-related changes
• Hormonal changes
• Medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, etc.
• Medications
• Eyelid problems like turning or inflammatory disease
• Skin diseases near the eyes
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Allergies

Dry Eye Treatments

Temporary dry eyes may be fixed easily with OTC eye drops, medicines, or home remedies. However, chronic dry eyes may demand lifestyle changes with therapies, surgeries, etc., for long-term management.

First-Line Treatments: Eye Drops, Ointments, and Medications

The go-to solution for dry eyes is OTC eye drops or artificial tears that moisten the eyes. Preservative-free drops are best, and you’ll have to apply them multiple times per day.

There are ointments that create a better coating for the eyes. Use them before bedtime as they tend to blur vision due to their thick texture.

If these don’t work, the other option is eye inserts composed of dissolvable hydroxypropyl cellulose. They’re placed in the lower eyelid to release medication all day, keeping the eyes moist.

The above options are over-the-counter solutions. But if they’re ineffective, the next treatment options are prescription medicines like:

• Perfluorhexyloctane (Miebo)
• Loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension (Eysuvis, Inveltys, Alrex, Lotemax)
• Lifitegrast (Xiidra)
• Cyclosporine (Restasis, Cequa)
• Varenicline (Tyrvaya).

Second-Line Treatments: Therapies and Procedures

First-line treatments may be insufficient for chronic issues affecting tear secretion or eye moisture level. In that case, you must consult a healthcare professional who may prescribe the following advanced treatments that can truly make a difference in your vision. Dry eyes can be a constant source of irritation and discomfort. Thankfully, advancements in eye care offer targeted solutions to address the root cause.

LipiFlow:

LipiFlow is a specialized in-office treatment designed to address dry eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). MGD is the leading culprit behind dry eyes, and it occurs when the tiny meibomian glands in your eyelids become clogged and unable to release the oily layer that keeps your tears stable.

Here’s how LipiFlow works:

• Gentle Heat and Massage: A device is placed comfortably over your closed eyelids. This device delivers controlled warmth and internal pulsed pressure to your eyelids. The warmth helps melt any blockages in the meibomian glands, while the pulsating pressure gently massages the glands to express the oils.
• Improved Tear Quality: By clearing these blockages and stimulating the glands, LipiFlow helps restore healthy oil production. These oils are essential for preventing tears from evaporating too quickly, which is a major contributor to dry eye symptoms.
• Long-lasting Relief: While it may take a few weeks to experience the full effects, LipiFlow offers long-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms. Studies suggest relief can last up to a year for some patients.

LipiFlow is a non-invasive procedure that’s typically completed within 12 minutes. It’s a good option for those seeking a long-term solution to chronic dry eye caused by MGD.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy:

IPL is one of the latest treatments for dry eye symptoms. IPL (intense pulsed light) targets dry eyes by addressing several underlying issues:

1. Inflammation Reduction: Dry eyes are often linked to inflammation around the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oily layer of your tears. IPL delivers pulses of light that target these inflamed areas. The light gets absorbed and converted to heat, reducing inflammation and potentially decreasing the activity of inflammatory mediators.

2. Improved Gland Function: The gentle heat from IPL can also help thin any thickened secretions blocking the meibomian glands. This allows the glands to function more efficiently and express healthy oils more easily.

3. Reduced Blood Vessel Activity: IPL can target and potentially coagulate some of the small blood vessels around the meibomian glands. This can be beneficial because these vessels can contribute to inflammation and may also hinder gland function.

By addressing these factors, IPL helps create a more favorable environment for healthy tear production, ultimately alleviating dry eye symptoms.

Radiofrequency RF Treatments:

Another treatment that uses gentle heat to treat dry eyes is RF (radio frequency) treatments. It melts blockages in the meibomian glands to restore their normal function, i.e., oil production for a healthy tear film.

Eye Lid Surgery:

In very rare and extreme cases, you may need critical surgery to adjust or tighten the eyelids and ducts. Surgery may also involve permanently closing your tear ducts.

Beyond these technological advancements, there are additional dry eye management techniques. Daily eyelid hygiene with warm compresses and gentle cleansers can loosen clogged glands. Artificial tears provide temporary lubrication, while omega-3 fatty acid supplements can promote tear quality from within. Working with your eye doctor to develop a personalized plan that combines these strategies can bring welcome relief and restore moisture to your eyes.

Lifestyle Habits and Home Remedies:

In addition to modern medicines, home remedies can help manage dry eye symptoms. Try the following:

• Warm compresses to keep the glands flowing
• Mild soap like baby shampoo to massage and clean the eyelids
• Castor oil eye drops to reduce tear evaporation and alleviate symptoms.

Lifestyle changes can keep eye problems like ocular surface disease at bay and maintain visual acuity. Include the following in your daily life:

• Avoid windy, dry, smoky, or air-conditioned environments.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
• Take a break from electronic screens frequently.
• Take blinking breaks to lubricate the eyes.
• Focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
• Wear sunglasses with side shields.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Take dietary supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12, C, and D.

FAQ:

Q. Can fish oil cure dry eyes?

A: It is theorized that fish oil is good for the eyes and can cure dry eyes as it’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Clinical studies have not yet been able to back this claim with proven results. However, experts do not completely rule out its likely benefits for dry eyes.

Q. Can I cure my dry eyes permanently?

A: You can’t permanently cure chronic dry eye disease. However, with proper medicines and the right course of treatment, you will be able to manage the symptoms of the condition better.

That way, you won’t have to worry about triggering dry eyes and feeling constant eye discomfort.

Contact Bright Eye Spa

Are you experiencing dry eyes? Don’t delay!

Eye problems can affect the quality of life. If left untreated, they even cause vision obstruction and weakness.

At Bright Eye Spa, we provide the best services in Canada with an experienced team. Besides eye care, our services include skin and hair treatments, skin analysis, etc.