Dry Eye Treatment

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. It can cause symptoms such as stinging, burning, itching, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. The most common causes of dry eyes include:

⬩Tear production decreases with age, so dry eyes are more common in people over 50.

Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause dry eyes.

Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome and lupus can damage the tear glands and lead to dry eyes.

Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, can cause redness, swelling, and crusting along the eyelid margins, affecting tear production.

Environmental factors like dry air, wind, smoke, and cigarette smoke can cause tears to evaporate more quickly.

Prolonged use of digital screens like computers, tablets, and phones can reduce the number of times you blink, leading to tear evaporation.

Contact lenses can help tears stay on the front surface of the eyes but can also speed up tear evaporation.

Other Risk Factors for Dry Eyes Include:

⬩Vitamin A deficiency

⬩Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency

⬩Hormonal changes

If you have dry eyes, it is important to see an eye doctor. Your doctor can determine the cause of your dry eyes and discuss treatment options with you.

Laser Treatment for Dry Eyes

For dry eyes, treatments such as artificial tears and warm compresses may not always be sufficient. At this point, laser treatment for dry eyes emerges as a promising option.

Laser treatment for dry eyes involves a series of procedures using methods such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Thermal Laser Therapy. These treatments aim to stimulate the oil glands in the eyelids and increase tear production.

In IPL treatment, a gentle pulse of light is applied to the eyelids. The light helps open blocked oil glands and increase oil production. Thermal laser therapy involves applying a low-intensity laser beam to the eyelids.

The laser beam helps reduce inflammation and improve the function of the oil glands. The benefits of laser treatment include:

⬩Reduces dry eye symptoms.

⬩Decreases the need for artificial tear drops.

⬩Reduces eyelid inflammation (blepharitis).

⬩Reduces eye fatigue and irritation.

⬩Improves vision quality.

Laser treatment is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. However, it is not suitable for every dry eye patient. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with certain medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease, and those with active eye infections should avoid laser treatment.