FAQs

It is not uncommon for patients to already have used eye drops or currently be using eye drops during the initial evaluation. We would like to know your entire treatment history, including all over-the-counter drops that were used and even make-up and facial cleansers. We encourage you to bring these products along with you for your initial evaluation or make a list.

Scheduling your consultation is the first step. We are devoted to helping improve the quality of life and comfort for all of our patients. Your initial exam will include dry eye testing to help differentiate the type of dry eye disease present. From there a tailored treatment plan will be developed.

Dry Eye Disease is challenging to treat and there is no one-size-fits all treatment. we are constantly seeking the next best treatments for our patients, often doing research to determine how to best achieve improved outcomes for our patients. If there is a bump in your treatment path, we will work with you to determine the next best approach.

For many patients, Dry Eye Disease was undiagnosed for several years causing irreversible damage to the eye, rehabilitating the eye’s surface takes time but can be done. Don’t lose hope. Call today for your consultation to gain control of your symptoms.

• “dry feeling”, burning/ stinging especially early or late in the day
• grittiness or “feeling like sand or other particles are in your eye
• tearing
• tiredness
• difficulty wearing contact lenses
• vision effects later in the day or after visual tasks
• sensitivity to light
• fluctuating vision

• Aqueous Tear Deficiency
  • Low tear volume and production
• Evaporative Dry Eye
  • Tears evaporate too quickly due to changes in tear chemistry and /or compromised meibomian glands.
• Sjogrens, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Glaucoma, Diabetes

• Lower blink rates due to increase usage of screen devices causing even younger people to experience dry eye symptoms.
• Medications such as ADD/ADHD, birth control, antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure, to name a few, add to dry eye symptoms.
• Age and hormonal changes
• Environmental causes – air quality, dry heat, circulating air

• History – symptoms, vision later in the day, visual tasks, ceiling fan, type of heat in home or office, C-Pap usage, medication, contact lens wear – number of hours able to be comfortably worn
• Measure tear volume
• Check for corneal and conjunctival staining
• Check TFBUT
• Evaluate / press on eyelids to access meibomian gland function
• Check for inflammation in tears
• Access tear chemistry or osmolarity
• Imaging of the meibomian glands and access oil production