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Dry Eye Institute

Treatment Options

Lubricants

Lubricants are often a first line treatment for dry eyes. Ideally they should contain minimal or no preservatives and contain electrolytes. They should also be neutral to slightly alkaline in pH.

Preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK) have been shown to be toxic to the anterior surface of the eye and particularly highly risk of toxicity it those with moderate to severe dry eye. Hence preservative free formulations are absolutely necessary in severe dry eyes.

There are other preservatives in lubricants which may have been reported to be less toxic to the eye but the potential still exists especially for severe dry eyes to find that these preparations can increase irritation symptoms.

Ointments/Gels

Ointments and gels can also be used in the treatment of dry eyes. They can be formulated with a specific mixture of mineral oil and petrolatum. Gels have a longer retention time that lubricants and also less blurring effect compared to ointments.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs divided into temporary (ABSORBABLE) and permanent (NOT ABSORBABLE) and can be used to successfully improve symptoms of some dry eye patients depending on the cause and results of their dry eye assessment.

Moisture Chamber Spectacles

There are many reports that increasing the humidity can improve dry eyes and there are spectacles that increase the humidity around the eye to improve symptoms of dry eye. The presence of air conditioning and thus a lowering of humidity can cause an increase in symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory Therapy

Disease or dysfunction of the glands that secrete tears can cause changes to the tears composition, conversely, inflammation can cause dysfunction of cells that secrete and/or maintain tears in the eyes. Thus a vicious cycle of inflammation can develop on the surface of the eye and become responsible for symptoms and signs of dry eyes. There are a number of oral and topical medications to control inflammation.

Essential Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and have even been shown to benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients. There is also a study that shows essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and gamma – linolenic acid when administered orally twice a day saw significant improvement of symptoms and signs of dry eyes.

LipiFlow®

LipiFlow is the most revolutionary treatment for Dry Eye, providing comfort to 86% of dry eye patients. Dry Eye is a progressive disease and without treatment it can worsen over time. LipiFlow can treat your dry eye symptoms with its revolutionary technology—that is backed by over 25 years of scientific research. Bring comfort back to your life with LipiFlow.

IPL

E-Eye IPL is a device that generates a polychromatic pulsed light by producing perfectly calibrated and homogenously sequenced light pulses.

The sculpted pulses are delivered under the shape of train pulses. The energy, spectrum and time period are precisely set to stimulate the Meibomian glands in order for them to return their normal function.

Blephasteam

Blephasteam is a quick and safe treatment for MGD. Blephasteam uses moisture and heat to provide a warm chamber which is optimised for the eye. This combination of heat and moisture increases blood flow and melts away the waxy meibum to help relieve dry eyes. When the session is completed the melted secretions are manually expressed, improving the natural oil flow and tear quality.

Blephex

BlephEx™ is an advanced cleaning hand piece, it is used to precisely and gently clean along the edge of your eyelids and lashes. The medical grade micro-sponge clears any scurf and debris and exfoliating your eyelids.Studies have shown that up to 35% of all patients suffer from some type of blepharitis symptoms which can be treated with BlephEx™. These numbers increases to over 70% in patients over 65.

Plasma growth factor eye drops

Autologous serum has been widely publicized for its use in tissue regeneration. However, a new generation of autologous drops, namely Plasma Rich in Growth Factors is now superseding autologous serum. Due to a specialized activation process, PRGF drops are higher in platelets and growth factors. This promotes greater healing and less scar tissue formation with none of the inflammation of leukocyte containing autologous serum.

PRGF drops are indicated for moderate to severe dry eye and can be made within hours of drawing a patient’s blood.

Want to discuss your symptoms or book a comprehensive dry eye assessment?