Dry Eye Treatment
in Shelton & Waterbury, CT
Our dry eye treatment helps relieve your discomfort and improves your quality of life.
Dry eye is a common condition that requires attention, but many people may have dry eye without realizing it. At Vision Center LTD and Waterbury Eye Associates, we can diagnose dry eye as well as provide guidance on the best treatment for dry eyes for your specific needs.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye is when your eyes struggle to make enough moisture because of a shortage of quality tears. It’s a common issue that frequently affects both eyes, increasing the chance of eye infections and damage to the eye surface.
Dry eye syndrome may be a result of your diet, hormone levels, medication use, age, health, or even where you live. Fortunately, there are a variety of dry eye syndrome treatment options available to help you find relief and improve your overall eye health.
When should I see an eye doctor for dry eye?
Dry eye is a common condition but can be undertreated because of a lack of awareness. Some people may even have been struggling with dry eye for years, but do not realize that they have a problem.
You may benefit from dry eye treatment if you frequently experience the following symptoms:
- Blurry vision
- Red or burning eyes
- A sensation that something scratchy is stuck in your eye
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
- Teary eyes from recurrent irritation
- Stringy mucus around your eyes
If you have been living with these symptoms, it’s time to visit our optometrists in Shelton or Waterbury and get help. There may be hope for relief.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
While many people struggle with dry eye, this condition can sometimes go undiagnosed. The best way to diagnose dry eye is with a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, our eye doctor will be able to get a full picture of your eye health. If dry eye syndrome is suspected, we may perform more tests to rule out other causes.
Dry eye diagnostic technology
Our eye doctors use the latest technology to accurately diagnose dry eye syndrome. Our advanced diagnostic tools include the TearLab Osmolarity System and the Firefly Slit Lamp Imaging System:
Tear osmolarity testing
Our eye doctors use the TearLab Osmolarity System to measure the salt content of your tears (or osmolarity). High levels of salt in tears are linked to dry eye disease, which is why tear osmolarity is one of the most reliable indicators of this condition. During the test, our optometrist will collect a small sample of tears (about 50 nanoliters) from your lower eyelid using a microcapillary tube. We’ll then place the sample on a small disposable sensor to measure tear osmolarity.
Meibography
At Vision Center LTD and Waterbury Eye Associates, we use the Firefly Slit Lamp with meibography to detect meibomian gland dysfunction, one of the leading causes of dry eye. Meibography is an advanced imaging technique that provides a clear view of the meibomian glands. These glands secrete an oil that coats the surface of your eyes and keeps your tears from evaporating too quickly.
More about Meibography
If these glands get blocked and don’t function properly, dry eye can occur. Meibography uses infrared light to capture detailed images of the meibomian glands, allowing our eye doctor to see any blockages or inflammation.
Meibography is not only useful for diagnosing dry eye, but it can also be used to track how well treatment is working and how the condition is progressing. Meibography images allow our doctors to monitor your treatment plan’s effectiveness over time, adjusting it as necessary to ensure that you are getting the best care possible.
What are the treatment options for dry eye?
For some people, dry eye may be more of an annoyance while others may experience incredible discomfort. Depending on the situation, some individuals may require chronic dry eye treatment while others may only need infrequent care. Some people may also have more serious eye surface damage that requires additional attention. Because of these variables, dry eye care may be a little different for everyone, so we will work with you to determine the next best step.
Some dry eye treatment options we offer include:
- Education on eyelid hygiene, at-home care, and contact lens needs
- PRN Nutraceutical eye supplements
- Prescription eye drops
- Tear duct plugs
- Medications
We also offer the following treatments for dry eye:
Scleral lenses
TearCare
Equinox Low Level Light Therapy
Dry eye treatment in Shelton or Waterbury
Our dry eye treatment in Shelton and Waterbury is tailored to the specific patient’s needs, but the goal remains the same. We want you to minimize dryness and discomfort while promoting good overall eye health. Contact us today to schedule an eye exam and let us help you alleviate or even eliminate your dry eye symptoms.