Dry Eye Treatment

Do I Have Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough or the right type of tears. If your eyes feel itchy, gritty, or burning, you could have dry eye. Other symptoms can include redness and blurry vision.

Common causes of dry eye can include aging, certain medications, and environmental factors like wind or air conditioning. Spending too much time in front of screens can also contribute to dry eye. At Family Eye Care Center, we don’t want to overwhelm you with treatment options. We’ll work with you to find the most convenient option for your lifestyle.

If you’re experiencing dry eye, we want to help. Schedule an appointment in Laurens today.

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The Different Types of Dry Eye

There are 2 main types of dry eye: aqueous deficiency and evaporative. Aqueous deficiency occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, usually due to aging or health conditions.

Evaporative dry eye occurs when tears evaporate too quickly, usually due to issues with your eye’s oil-producing glands. Screen use, environmental conditions, and contact lenses can worsen both types.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Dry Eye

If you have dry eye, we can help diagnose and manage your symptoms. Although dealing with dry eye may seem complicated, we’re here to support you.

Our team can recommend treatments based on your specific needs, and our Laurens location has additional diagnostic technologies, like TearLab. TearLab gives us more information about your tear quality.

We’ll start with treatments that may be easier to integrate into your life and build up from there. If one treatment option isn’t working, we can try another.

These treatments may include:

Omega-3 Supplements

Omega-3 supplements may help improve tear quality and reduce inflammation associated with dry eye. These fatty acids support overall eye health, making them a beneficial addition to your daily routine.

Eye Masks

Warm eye masks may relieve dry eye by improving oil gland function and increasing tear flow. Regular use can help keep your eyes moist and comfortable, reducing dryness and irritation.

Medicated Eye Drops

Medicated eye drops are specially formulated to reduce inflammation and increase tear production, which may relieve dry eye. These drops can soothe irritation and improve tear quality, making your eyes feel more comfortable.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Meibomian gland expression involves gently massaging the eyelids to unblock oil glands, which could improve tear quality and reduce dry eye symptoms. This in-office procedure helps restore natural lubrication, which can help provide relief.

Eyelid Debridement

Eyelid debridement is a procedure that removes debris and buildup from the eyelids. This may increase tear production and eye comfort, improve the health of your eyelids, and alleviate dry eye symptoms.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into your tear ducts to help your eyes retain moisture and relieve dry eye symptoms. This procedure may provide comfort by keeping your eyes lubricated and reducing tear drainage.