1651 N Collins Blvd, Suite 245, Richardson, Texas 75080
8am-5pm Monday-Friday
Dry Eye
Dry Eye is a serious condition that often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. The Dry Eye Clinic at NextGen Eye is staffed by a Fellowship Trained Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgeon with a keen interest in Dry Eye disease.
As the name indicates, dry eyes is a chronic condition where the eyes don’t get the moisture they need to keep them clear, protected, and lubricated. Our eyes are lubricated by a thin layer of tears which is called the tear film. This tear film is made up of 3 main components; A mucus layer (closest to the eyes), an aqueous (water layer), and a lipid (oil) layer. Dry eye disease occurs when there is an instability in the tear film, which can lead to ocular surface inflammation and the ocular symptoms of dry eye.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
This condition can be chronic or acute and symptoms include:
- A dry, gritty sensation
- Periods of excessive tearing
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Stringy discharge
- Redness
- Glare or halos around lights
- Eye fatigue
- Sensation of a foreign body in the eye
Diagnosis
If you’re suffering from dry eye, we can do a complete dry eye workup exam. We’ll discuss your lifestyle and medical history, as factors like computer use and certain medical conditions can increase your risk of dry eye. Then, we’ll use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess what’s causing your dry eyes so we can find the right treatment.
Treatment
Treatments vary depending on chronicity, severity, and seasonality etc. Various treatment options include lifestyle modification, over the counter eye drops, prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, blepharitis therapy, and laser therapy. We are the go-to experts when it comes to Dry Eye. Dry eye requires an individualized treatment plan and a deep understanding of the contributory factors leading to pathology. Schedule your Dry Eye consultation today.
Blepharitis is a Key Contributing Factor often Overlooked in Dry Eye Treatment
Blepharitis is a very common condition caused by inflammation of the eyelids. A key contributor to blepharitis is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Eyelid inflammation can occur via multiple causes and can be found over various locations along the eye lids. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a key component of is considered the leading cause of dry eye disease.
MGD can be a pesky and debilitating condition. Appropriate diagnosis and management will be key in combatting this potentially chronic issue.