Dry Eye Center

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome usually refers to a lack of moisture reaching the ocular surface or the tears that reach the ocular surface evaporate too quickly. 65% of patients with dry eye syndrome symptoms have a condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. These lubricating Meibomian Glands provide the protective oil layer that prevents tears from evaporating. With this condition, the glands can become obstructed and an inadequate amount of protective oil is present in your tears.

Factors such as the environment, the aging process, hormonal changes, medications, inadequate blinking, poor diet, and systemic diseases can all play a significant role in reducing this moisture. Occasionally, dry eye syndrome is related to underlying systemic conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, and a multitude of autoimmune diseases.

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Tears are Made Up of Three Layers:

  • Lipid (oil) layer: lubricates and prevents evaporation
  • Aqueous (water) layer: nourishes and protects the cornea
  • Mucin layer: adheres tears to the eye

Common Dry Eye Symptoms:

  • Dryness
  • Discomfort and irritation
  • Grittiness or feeling of a foreign body in the eye
  • Burning or stinging sensation
  • Tearing
  • Redness
  • Discharge
  • Tiredness
  • Itching
  • Vision disturbance
  • Sensitivity to light

Lifestyle Impacts from Dry Eye Syndrome:

  • Difficulty performing visual tasks, such as reading, using a computer, driving and watching television
  • Inability to wear contact lenses
  • Constant use of eye drops
  • Trouble being out in the sun
  • Symptoms that worsen late in the day

Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome

The treatment for dry eye syndrome is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every patient is different and this is how you will be evaluated and treated by Dr. Ginsberg. For over ten years, he has listened to the stories of thousands of patients with dry eye complaints and created very personalized plans of treatment. Very few of these patients benefit from only artificial tears three to four times per day which is a common suggestion from eye care providers who do not take the time to listen and diagnose the underlying problem.

This underlying issue could be autoimmune, inflammatory, dysfunctional tear film due to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, irregularity of the surface of the eye, and occasionally just lack of tear production. Dr. Ginsberg will take the time and interest to solve your problem and make your eyes comfortable. The goal of the therapy is “so that you don’t think about your eyes”!

  • Artificial tears
  • Preservative-free artificial tears
  • Nighttime eye gels
  • The lid and eye hygiene techniques
  • Topical steroids
  • Oral steroids
  • Autologous serum eye drops
  • PRP derived dry eye drops
  • Cyclosporine eye drops
  • Specially compounded eye drops specific to your condition
  • Punctal occlusion therapy
  • Bloodwork to diagnose underlying conditions
  • Long-acting tear reservoir therapy
  • Meibomian gland therapy
  • Ocular surface surgery to reconstruct the normal tear pathway anatomy
  • Amniotic membrane graft therapy

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