To have Dry Eye means that you may not be making enough tears, or that the tears produced are of a poor quality. The primary function of tears is to keep the surface of your eye moist and lubricated.
Any reduction in their quantity or quality, can leave the cornea exposed to air and drying occurs. Symptoms of drying can be a gritty burning sensation, profuse watering of the eyes and very often disturbances in vision.
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome may include:
Dry eye can be caused by a wide variety of everyday factors, including:
In some cases symptoms can be relieved by altering the external influences mentioned above. Simple changes in environmental factors can help – for example avoidance of dehydrating factors such as air conditioning or regular breaks away from work on computer screens. Protecting your eyes from other factors such as cold wind with spectacles or sunglasses may also help.
Tears must be distributed efficiently, replaced or conserved in order to provide relief. As Dry Eye Syndrome is caused by an imbalance of tears on the eye's surface the most logical way to treat the problem is to artificially replace the tears and by doing so improve the quantity and quality. Sometimes excessive watering can be the result of Dry Eye, this is a reflex tearing of the glands trying to relieve dryness and evaporation of the tear film.
The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 9 out of 10 Dry Eye cases (86%). This form results from a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears caused by a blockage in the gland along the edge of your eye lids (Meibomian glands). This leaves the tear film exposed and allows it to evaporate faster than normal. This lack of oil production is often referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Using the latest digital microscopes and infrared imaging, we are able to examine the Meibomium glands that make up the lipid layer of the tear film. This technology allows us determine the severity of dry eye for each patient, and provide a tailored treatment plan to restore the natural production of lipids and tears.