Dry Eye Treatment
Even without knowing the term “dry eye” or “Dry Eye Syndrome“, if you suffer from it, then you are all too familiar with the soreness, discomfort, and constant misery that can come with dry eyes.
Fortunately, our staff can bring relief and healing from Dry Eyes to patients from Pennsylvania. Our Team of Dry Eye Experts at Yealy Eye Care of Lancaster's Dry Eye Clinic can treat Dry Eye Syndrome, from mild to severe. Whether it’s an occasional irritant or a debilitating daily problem, we can help.
Diagnostic Equipment And Tools
For Dry Eye
Yealy Eye Care of Lancaster's Dry Eye Clinic uses the latest diagnostic equipment and tools to quickly and accurately pinpoint the cause and type of dry eye problem you’re suffering from. We don’t just throw any old drops at you either.
We provide custom treatment plans designed to maximize the relief of your dry eye symptoms AND treat the underlying cause of your discomfort.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry Eye Syndrome can range from a mild irritant to chronic problem. The symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome may include:
- Dry, irritated, or red eyes
- Excessive tearing/watery eyes
- Inflammation
- Sore or sensitive eyes
- Itchiness
- Burning
- A gritty or pasty feeling in the eyelids
- Crusty or gunky eyes
- Blurriness
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eyes or Dry Eye Syndrome is a complex condition that can have multiple causes but tends to share common symptoms. Our Team of Dry Eye Experts will use the latest technology to assess the cause of your dry eye symptoms in order to provide the best possible care.
- Poor Tear Quality
- Meibomian Gland Disorder
- Blepharitis
- Poor Tear Volume
- Age, Gender
- Environmental Factors & Irritants
- Contact Lenses
- Medical Conditions
- Lifestyle
- Medications >
Your prescription medications could be causing Dry Eye:
Several common antidepressants—including SSRIs such as Paxil and trycyclic antidepressants like Adapin—can cause anticholinergic side effects. These effects can disrupt the function of your lacrimal glands and make your eyes produce fewer tears, resulting in dry eyes.
Antihistamines can control a wide range of allergy symptoms, but they can also diminish the aqueous layer of your tear film, leaving your eyes without moisture. Benadryl and Claritin are two examples of antihistamines that may affect your tear film this way, but even site-specific antihistamines such as Allegra can lead to dry eyes (although this is less likely).
Topical retinoid-antibiotic combination treatments have been linked to significant dry eye symptoms. These treatments include isotretinoin, which is found in the common acne control medication Accutane and its generic counterparts.
It’s well-known that taking birth control medications frequently leads to dry eyes. However, taking oral contraceptives alone does not seem to affect tear osmolarity, which is a key indicator of dry eyes. It is thought that taking birth control while using contact lenses increases the risk of dry eyes in women, possibly because oral contraceptives may increase contact lens intolerance.
Many common painkillers fall under the category of topical Non-Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs (or NSAIDs). Since inflammation is a common symptom of dry eyes, you might think that these drugs would reduce your risk of dry eye syndrome—but that isn’t necessarily true. NSAIDs can also make your cornea less sensitive and exacerbate the damage that dry eyes already cause to the epithelial cells on its surface.
Beta blockers are an active part of many medications for hypertension and migraines. However, they also weaken the aqueous layer in your tear film and cause ocular irritation, resulting in dry and uncomfortable eyes.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used to reduce stomach acid levels and prevent common gastrointestinal problems like stomach ulcers and acid reflux. However, numerous PPIs can also cause dry eyes as a side effect, including Prevacid and Prilosec.
Phenothiazines are commonly used to medicate people with schizophrenia, but they also decrease aqueous production, which leads to dry eyes. Thorazine, which is now less commonly used for the same purposes, can also have negative impacts on aqueous production.
Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) can help prevent long-term estrogen deficiency. However, it also increases your risk of developing dry eye syndrome since estrogen affects the course of inflammation in the human body. Interestingly, the same research shows that MHT can reduce your risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
Dry eyes are a common side effect of cyclophosphamide, which is frequently used for chemotherapy under the name Cytoxan.
How Can I Improve My Lifestyle To Prevent and Treat Dry Eye Syndrome?
There are many ways to treat dry eyes. We recommend that you prevent dry eye symptoms before they begin and address lifestyle factors that may be aggravating an existing condition.
Blink a lot, drink plenty of fluids and avoid eye irritants. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a focus on vitamins like Omega 3. Make sure to use lubricating eye drops if you are taking medication that puts you at risk for dry eyes. Over the counter eye drops for dry eye are widely available.
20/20/20 Rule
During prolonged computer or digital device use, make sure to take a short break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Keep Hydrated
Drink enough water. Women need at least 91 oz. of water a day and men need even more. Insufficient water intake can directly contribute to a reduced supply of tears, particularly in hot and dry climates.
Healthy diet and Omega 3
A healthy diet is essential for maintaining optimal health. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to help maintain good vision and eye health, as well as decrease dry eyes symptoms.
Fish and flax are good natural sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, and are available in tablet/supplement form. There are supplements specifically made for dry eyes. These usually consist of Omega 3 with DHA from flaxseed oil, and include vitamin C, vitamin E, Vitamin B6, magnesium, and a variety of other vitamins specifically formulated for patients with this eye condition.
Contact Us for Dry Eye Relief
If you’re seeking relief for your dry eyes, Our Team of Dry Eye Experts can help. Yealy Eye Care of Lancaster's Dry Eye Clinic serves patients from Lancaster County, Lancaster Township, Bird in Hand, East Petersburg, and throughout Pennsylvania.
