Dry Eye Syndrome and Treatment in Richboro, PA
Dry eye syndrome is very widespread. For some people, it’s a mild itchiness or irritation of the eyes. For others, Dry Eye Syndrome can be a chronic eye condition that is debilitating.
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome vary but usually include one or more of the following:
- Dry, scratchy eyes
- Excessive Tearing
- Redness
- Itchiness or irritation
- Inflammation or burning
- A feeling of grit, or like there is something in your eyes
- Pasty, gunky, or crusty eyes
- Blurriness
What Causes My Dry Eyes?
There are numerous causes and risk factors that contribute to the development of dry eye syndrome.
Does Staring at a Screen Cause Dry Eye?
Continuous staring at a fixed object, such as a phone or computer screen, usually results in a decreased blink rate. The lack of blinking actually causes the eyes not to replenish the tears often enough. The meibomian glands, therefore, can become blocked or even atrophy and die.
Does Drinking More Water Help with Dry Eye?
The main component of tears is water. Most of us don’t drink enough water. If you are dehydrated or not drinking enough, then you may not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. Snapple, Coke and other caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea may feel like they quench your thirst, but they actually dehydrate the body. Your body needs water to prevent dry eyes symptoms.
Antihistamines and Dry Eyes
Certain medications are known to contribute to dry eyes. In particular, anti-histamines (allergy) medication. Prolonged use of antihistamines will often lead to dry eye symptoms developing.
Beta-Blockers and Dry Eyes
Typically prescribed for controlling blood pressure, beta-blockers are proven to cause or exacerbate existing dry eye symptoms. If you are taking beta-blockers and experiencing symptoms, let us know! Your Richboro dry eye doctors can help.
A recent study about the correlation between migraines and dry eyes has interesting results. Comparing migraine sufferers to people without headaches. The results showed a much greater prevalence of dry eye in the migraine group than in those without headaches. So, researchers are speculating that some migraines may worsen when dry eye symptoms are present. It has been recently hypothesized that when people report on headaches these could actually be caused by dry eyes, amongst other factors. However, it is unclear whether one causes the other, or whether computer use is a contributing cause of both headaches and dry eyes.
As we age, we experience hormonal changes. These changes are known to cause or contribute to dry eyes. While this is true of both men and women, it seems that women over 50 are particularly more prone to developing dry eye symptoms.
The following environmental factors are known to play a huge role in causing or contributing to dry eyes:
- Smoke
- Pollution
- Cold-climate and central heating
- Dry climate
- Sandy or dusty conditions
Various diseases contribute to dry eyes. Autoimmune diseases are a known factor. Rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome – a common symptom that rheumatologists treat can also contribute to dry eyes. Diabetics or those with Glaucoma that requires medication are more likely to have dry eye syndrome.
One of the main reasons people discontinue contact lens usage is due to dry eyes. The good news is there have been major improvements across all the brands with special contacts that are aimed at preventing dry eye symptoms.
What Treatments for Dry Eye Are Recommended?
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Dry Eye
There are many ways to treat dry eye. The first recommendation is to prevent dry eye symptoms. Blink a lot and drink a lot. Avoid eye irritants, use lubricating eye drops if you are taking medication that puts you at risk for dry eye. Over the counter eye drops for dry eye are widely available. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a focus on vitamins like Omega 3.
- One of the most common treatments we recommend is simple. Just BLINK! Blink regularly. Good, hard, fully closed blinks help restore the tear film.
- The 20-20-20 Rule! During prolonged computer or digital device use take 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, to look at an object at a distance of at least 20 feet away. This gives your eyes a needed rest.
- Drink adequately. Women need at least 91 oz. of water a day. Men need even more.
- Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease dry eyes symptoms. Fish and flax are good natural sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, also available in tablet form.
- If using a medicine that is known to contribute to dry eyes, like antihistamines or beta blockers, it’s important to combat dry eye with over the counter teardrops.
Omega 3 vitamins are very well-known to be good for general health, and heart health, but they are also helpful in treating dry eyes. There are even formulations specific for dry eyes. These usually consist of Omega 3 with DHA from flaxseed oil and includes vitamin C, vitamin E, Vitamin B6, magnesium, and a variety of other vitamins specifically geared toward patients with dry eyes.
In cases of chronic dry often, we often see patients who have a decreased ability to produce tears. This occurs because of the constant inflammation they experience. Unlike simulated tears, Restasis and Xiidra are prescription eyedrops which are both proven to increase the eye’s ability to make its own tears. Instead of having to constantly replenish your eyes’ moisture, with Restasis or Xiidra you are actually stimulating your eyes to make more tears over time.
When do I need prescription eye drops and when is a dietary supplement enough?
Typically, Restasis or Xiidra is used for chronic cases, while a recommended omega-3 supplement usually can and should be used in most cases even as a preventative measure and to maintain optimal eye health.
Our eye doctors are experts in treating dry eye syndrome and will diagnose and guide you through the right treatment plan for you. You don’t have to continue to suffer. Book an appointment with our Burlington dry eye specialist today.
Restasis vs. Xiidra for Dry Eyes
Restasis has been in use for a number of years. It is an eye drop that is used twice a day. It’s the teardrop form of cyclosporine, an autoimmune suppressant which is prescribed for many chronic conditions, and it has been found to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes by reducing the inflammation and increasing tear production. However, Restasis doesn’t necessarily help to improve the outflow of the oil that needs to be produced on top of the tears so that the tears don’t evaporate. Right now some of the studies are suggesting that over 50% of people with dry eyes actually have meibomian gland dysfunction. So, if the first lines of treatment are failing to manage dry eye symptoms, consider more rigorous treatments for dry eyes and blepharitis. Restasis also has side effects, with some patients experiencing burning and discomfort.
Xiidra is a newer drug that has recently received FDA approval for the treatment of Dry Eyes. Clinical studies have shown it to be significantly effective in alleviating symptoms, and it works far faster than Restasis, providing significant relief within as little as 2 weeks without the side effects of Restasis. However, the long-term benefits for dry eyes have yet to be conclusively proven. Nonetheless, it is considered a very safe drug.
At our Burlington eye clinic, our optometrists occcasionaly use punctal plugs to treat dry eyes. For those suffering from dry eyes caused by a lack of tears (as opposed to meibomian gland disorder) can often benefit from punctal plugs. These are small devices that are inserted into the tear ducts to slow or even block the drainage of tears. This increases the tear-film and moisture present in the eyes.
In most cases, the procedure is quick, painless, and uneventful. Find out if punctal plugs are right for you.
A scleral lens sitting on the eye
Scleral lenses are a special contact lens that is large. It sits on the sclera, rather than the cornea, leaving a pocket of space over the cornea. In our Richboro eye clinic, our optometrists use scleral lenses to treat a variety of eye conditions, including keratoconus and for people with sensitivity to regular contacts.
Scleral lenses are highly useful in treating Dry Eyes. Studies have shown that the use of scleral lenses is effective in treating moderate to severe dry eyes. In more than 50% of cases, patients fitted with scleral lenses report reduced discomfort and dry eye symptoms, decreased use of artificial tears and improved visual acuity.
Alipour F, Kheirkhah A, Behrouz M. Use of mini-scleral contact lenses in moderate to severe dry eye. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2012 Dec;35(6):272-6.
This is a revolutionary treatment that has been developed in the past few years for treating severe and chronic cases of dry eye. Amniotic membranes are collected during elective cesarean births from the placenta. Amniotic membranes protect and nurture the baby in the womb. When placed over the eye, this membrane dramatically heals the eye surface which has been damaged by prolonged dry eyes. Absolutely no sale of body parts is involved, and absolutely NO harm comes to the infant or the mother in extraction.
The results of using an amniotic membrane to treat dry eye are dramatic. At our dry eye clinic, we make use of both wet and dry membranes, which differ slightly in use. Both types offer significant, dramatic, and real healing and relief for inflamed and scarred eyes due to dry eyes. The use of amniotic membranes is a gamechanger in the treatment of dry eyes.
Wet Amniotic Membrane
The "Wet" amniotic membrane is a thin membrane held together by a small plastic ring. Applied directly to the eye, the ring holds it in place right where the eyelid meets the sclera (the white part) of the eye. The healing from this method is very fast. Usually, the membrane needs to be worn for no more than a week before dramatic improvement occurs.
Dry Amniotic Membrane
Looking more like a thin dry bit of tiny corrugated cardboard, the dry membrane is placed right on the cornea and held in place with something called a "bandage contact lens" on top.
The LLLT mask utilizes medical grade LEDs for light modulation, a photobiomodulation technology that stimulates the production of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) by emitting a specific wavelength of light. It also significantly warms the eyelids to temperatures recommended for periorbital heat treatment. The increase in cellular action that triggers endogenous heat combined with the external thermal heating helps stimulate the normalization of the glands. LLT is one of the latest, most effective technologies for treating meibomian gland dysfunction.
This technology has been used in medicine for over 10 years but only until recently did doctors discover its benefit for inflammatory conditions & dry eye!
Do You Live in Richboro, Newtown, Southampton, or Ivyland or surrounding areas and suffer From Dry Eyes?
Doctor Richard Shetzline is a founding partner of Eye Associates of Richboro, New Jersey.
Dr. Richard Shetzline is an associate of Eye Associates of Richboro specializing in Dry Eyes, Geriatrics, and Low Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Shetzline completed his undergraduate study in Biology at Messiah College prior to receiving his Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1998 and is licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Dr. Shetzline also completed an externship with the He Philadelphia Veterans’ Medical Center during his studies at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In addition to his membership to the American Optometric Association, Dr. Shetzline has also been appointed as staff to various organizations including, the Burlington Woods Convalescent Center, the Granville Assisted Living Center, the Brendenwood Retirement Village, the Alterra Sterling House Assisted Living, the Alterra Clare Bridge Assisted Living, and Sunrise At Floral Vale Assisted Living.