Laser surgery has become increasingly popular as an alternative method of treating pressure.
New revolutionary device for the treatment of dry eyes due to Blepharitis/Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the E-Eye IPL machine.
What is Dry Eye?
If your eyes feel tired, sore, gritty or sandy, you may have dry eyes. The eyes may feel scratchy or gritty as though there is something in them. They also can be itchy and red and may feel as if they are burning or appear crusty.
The tear film consists of three layers:
Each layer has its own purpose. The oily layer produced by the meibomian glands forms the outermost surface of the tear film. Its main purpose is to smooth the tear surface and reduce evapouration of tears.
The middle watery layer makes up most of what we ordinarily think of as tears. This layer produced by the lacrimal glands in the eyelids, cleanses the eye and washes away foreign particles or irritants.
The inner layer consists of mucus produced by the conjunctiva. Mucus allows the watery layer to spread evenly over the surface of the eye and helps the eye remain moist. Without mucus tears would not stick to the eye.
Normally the eye constantly bathes itself in tears. By producing tears at a slow and steady rate the eye stays moist and comfortable.
The eye uses two different methods to produce tears. It can make tears at a slow, steady rate to maintain normal eye lubrication. It can also produce a lot of tears in response to eye irritation or emotion. When a foreign body or dryness irritates the eye, when a person cries or when excessive tearing occurs.
It is paradoxical that a dry eye would cause excess tearing, but think of it as the eyes response to discomfort. If the tears responsible for maintaining lubrication do not keep the eye wet enough, the eye becomes irritated. Eye irritation prompts the gland that makes tears (called the lacrimal gland) to release a large volume of tears, overwhelming the tear drainage system. These excess tears then overflow from your eye.
When you blink a film of tears spreads over the eye making the surface of the eye smooth and clear. Without this tear film good vision would not be possible.
Causes of Dry eyes.
Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye can be caused by:
Treatment options will vary depending on the type of dry eyes that you have. If there is a shortage of water production, it is necessary to increase the supply of water in the tear layer. If there is sufficient water but excessive evaporation of the tears, then the tears will also be lacking due to exposure to the outside world. It is necessary to improve the oily layer of the tears to reduce evaporation.
Adding tears
Eye drops called artificial tears are similar to your own tears. They lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. Artificial tears are available without a prescription. There are many brands on the market, so you may want to try several to find the one you like best.
Preservative free eye drops are available for people who are sensitive to the preservatives in artificial tears. If you need to use artificial tears more than every two hours, preservative free brands may be better for you.
You can use the artificial tears as often as necessary, once or twice a day or as often as several times an hour. It is generally advised to use drops 4 times a day minimum.
Using a thicker lubricating gel at night helps to build up the lipid layer on top of the water layer thus giving added ocular protection at night.
Conserving your tears
Conserving your eyes own tears is another approach to keeping the eyes moist. Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose (which is why your nose runs when you cry). Mr. Golchin may close these channels either temporarily or permanently. This method conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer.
A temporary method of closing the channels may involve the use of punctal plugs. The plugs are inserted into the punctum (tear duct) and works by blocking your eyes drainage system.
Warm Compress and Lid Hygiene
Using a commercially available warm compress or a hot facecloth, place this over your eyes for at least 10 minute. The heat tends to make the meibum secretions softer and dilate the glands slightly thereby facilitating the expression of the oily meibum.
Developing a regular routine of eye hygiene is essential in the treatment of dry eyes especially those linked to meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis. It is important that you clean your eyelids every day, whether or not you are experiencing any symptoms. You should consider it part of your daily routine, much like brushing your teeth!
Effective eye hygiene will reduce both the severity and frequency of symptoms.
In IPL treatment, a hand-held device flashes bright light onto the skin. The light is filtered to allow only wavelengths that can be absorbed by dilated blood vessels in the eyelids. The effect of this treatment may be the resolution of these dilated blood vessels and associated inflammation.
Many patients experience relief from their dry eye symptoms and become less dependent on artificial tears and other eye drops to control dry eye symptoms after IPL treatment. For this reason, IPL treatment may be well suited to dry eye patients who are troubled by the inconvenience of frequent eye drop use.
Nutritional Supplements
Studies have found that supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids can decreased dry eye symptoms.
Good sources of Omega-3 include cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and cod. Omega-3 is also found in flaxseed, walnuts and dark leafy vegetables and can reduce dry eyes by 30-60%. Omega Eye is a scientifically formulated food supplement recommended for all dry eye sufferers.
Drinking more water can help too. Mild dehydration can often make dry eye problems worse. This is especially true during hot, dry and windy weather. Simply drinking more water can sometimes reduce dry eye symptoms.
Healthy Diet and not smoking
It may seem strange but a healthy diet can help to prevent dry eyes.
Other Remedies
Blink more frequently –When using a computer, smartphone or other digital device, we tend to blink less frequently than normal which can cause or worsen dry eye symptoms. Make a conscious effort to be aware of this, and blink more often when using these devices.
Take frequent breaks during computer use – A good rule of thumb here is to look away from your screen at least every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet from your eyes for at least 20 seconds. This can often relieve both dry eyes and computer eye strain.
Wear quality sunglasses – When outdoors during the day always wear sunglasses that block 100% of the suns UV rays. A good pair of wraparound sunglasses will protect your eyes from wind, dust and other irritants that can cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Discontinue or reduce contact lens wear – If you wear contact lenses, it can be difficult to tell if an underlying dry eye condition is causing contact lens discomfort or if your contact lenses are causing dry eye symptoms. If you wear contacts, it’s often best to discontinue wearing them while your dry eye treatment is in progress.
Suite 7/8, Clinic A,
Cork Clinic, Western Road,
Cork, T12 VY83.
Tel: 021 434 1030
Fax: 021 434 1033
Email: bgolchin@corkeyeclinic.ie
Thank you to Mr. Golchin and his team. I am very grateful to him for his calm professionalism. The operation to remove the cataract in my right eye was a complete success and I am very pleased with the results. So far as eye surgery can be a positive experience, it was indeed a very positive experience. Go raibh mile maith agat! All the very best for the future.
Edmond Kent (August 2022)
Mr. Behrooz Golchin