What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye is a complex disease of the eye’s surface involving improper formation and instability of the tear film. The tear film is made up of three different layers, which are all secreted from different glands. A poor tear film is unable to protect the eye’s surface, leading to a vicious cycle of inflammation, damage and considerable discomfort. Dry eye can also cause significant visual fluctuations and is a very common cause of intermittent watery eyes.

Why is a personalized approach to Dry Eye Disease so important?

Dry eye management is not “one size fits all”. There are different types of dry eye which an individual may be suffering from. To effectively treat dry eye, we need to examine the production, quality, and consistency of the different layers of the tear film and treat the components that are not functioning properly.

For example:

Evaporative Dry Eye is usually related to dysfunction of the meibomian glands, which are glands in the lids that secrete oil. This oil forms a very important protective barrier over the watery part of your tears. Without the oily layer the tears evaporate very quickly, and the vicious cycle of dry eye continues. Treatments for this type of dry eye are targeted to improve the health of the meibomian glands and the quantity and quality of the oily tear layer.

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye is caused by a low production of the watery part of the tear film. There are many reasons why this might occur. People with autoimmune diseases or people taking certain medications such as blood pressure tablets or anti-depressants might be more prone to this type of dry eye. This is also the more common type of dry eye after eye surgery such as LASIK or Cataract surgery. Treatments for this type of dry eye are targeted to help improve watery tear production/quality and retain more watery tears on the surface of the eyes.

 

Dry Eye Diagnostics includes, but is not limited to:

·        Dry eye questionnaire

·   Tear Osmolarity – Determines the salt concentration of tears and is an important biomarker of eye surface health.

·      Tear Volume Testing

·   Digital Dry Eye Analysis – using the latest IDRA OSA technology we perform a fast and detailed structural exam of the aqueous and oily tear layers.

o   Non-invasive tear break-up time

o   Interferometry

o   Tear meniscus height

o   Blink rate and blink quality

o   Meibography and 3D meibomian gland imaging

o   Red eye classification

o   Demodex and blepharitis investigation

·         Individualised Dry Eye Report – This printed report outlines your diagnosis and custom management plan.

Dry Eye Management may include:

Lifestyle and at-home management options

·        Behavioural and environmental modifications

·        Nutrition and fluid intake recommendations

·        Change to oral prescription medications (in consultation with your GP)

·        Eye lubricants or therapeutic medications

·        Heat treatments, lid massages, and/or lid cleansers

In-office professional treatments and procedures

·        Lid margin debridement: to remove debris from the openings of the oil glands and help them work better.

·        BlephEx: a deep cleaning of the eyelashes and eyelids to remove bacteria, debris and eyelash mites.

·        Digital Heat Therapy and Meibomian Gland Expression: to melt and remove the thickened oils trapped inside inflamed eyelid glands.

·        Blephasteam Therapy and Meibomian Gland Expression: to melt and remove the thickened oils trapped inside inflamed eyelid glands. Also creates a high humidity environment which can be beneficial for mixed dry eye.

·        Punctal Plugs: Insertion of small plugs into the tear drainage ducts to keep more fluid in your eyes (temporary and permanent options available).

·        Lacrimal Lavage: to flush and clean the drainage ducts of the eyes.

·        IPL Therapy: Using the Lumenis Optima M22 IPL device, Intense Pulsed Light is applied around the eyes over 4 sessions to improve the health of the eyelids and glands, decrease gland blockages, kill mites, and most importantly decrease inflammation

 

 

 

Our modern lifestyles can make the symptoms of dry eye unbearable. Heavy screen use, airconditioned rooms and long working hours all contribute to dry eye.  Dry Eye Disease symptoms can vary in presentation and intensity. These symptoms may include: a stinging or burning sensation in your eyes, eye redness, sensitivity to light, mucus build up around your eyes, blurred vision or even watery eyes. Watery eyes may seem like an unlikely symptom, but remember, the surface of the eye requires quality tears, not just a large quantity.

 

If you are suffering dry eye symptoms, do not simply rely on over-the-counter drops to self-manage your symptoms. There are better and more modern solutions available. Call in to book an appointment for you or your loved one and let our team know if you think you are suffering from dry eye disease.