Could Your Symptoms be Dry Eyes?
Dry eye does not always feel “dry.” Symptoms can include burning, stinging, gritty or sandy eyes, excessive watering, redness, light sensitivity, eye fatigue and blurry or fluctuating vision. Some patients notice that their vision temporarily clears after blinking.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments in San Carlos, CA
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are a simple, minimally invasive treatment that can help keep natural tears on the surface of the eye longer. Tiny plugs are placed in the tear drainage openings to reduce tear loss. They may be especially helpful for patients with aqueous-deficient or chronic dry eye.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are specialized contact lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, called the sclera. A fluid reservoir beneath the lens continuously bathes the cornea, helping protect the ocular surface and relieve symptoms of moderate to severe dry eye. Scleral lenses may be especially helpful when traditional dry eye treatments do not provide enough relief.
ZEST Eyelid Cleaning for Blepharitis, MGD & Dry Eye
ZEST is a gentle, in-office eyelid and lash cleaning treatment designed to remove oils, debris, bacteria, and buildup along the eyelid margins. It can be helpful for patients with blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and dry eye symptoms.
Looking for BlephEx? We do not offer BlephEx. We offer ZEST as our professional eyelid-cleaning alternative.
$30 with an eye exam | $150 standalone
MGrx Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye. MGrx uses controlled heat followed by gentle expression of the meibomian glands to help soften and release thickened oils. Improving oil flow can help stabilize the tear film and reduce dry eye symptoms.
Amniotic Membrane Treatment for Severe Dry Eyes
Amniotic membranes are biologic tissues that may be used to support healing of the ocular surface in patients with severe dry eye, persistent inflammation, or corneal surface damage. The membrane is placed temporarily over the eye, where it acts as a protective covering and provides a healing environment for the cornea.
This treatment may be considered when conventional dry eye therapies are not providing enough relief or when the ocular surface needs additional support to heal.
Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Severe Dry Eye
Autologous serum eye drops are made from a patient’s own blood. After the blood is processed, the serum is diluted to create sterile eye drops containing naturally occurring proteins, vitamins, and growth factors that are also found in healthy tears.
These drops may be recommended for patients with severe or persistent dry eye, significant ocular surface disease, or corneal epithelial problems that have not responded adequately to conventional treatments. They can help support the ocular surface and corneal healing while providing lubrication similar to natural tears.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency treatment with Eterna delivers controlled heat to the eyelid and periocular area. The heat helps warm the meibomian glands and support healthier oil flow, which may improve tear-film stability and symptoms associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.
An added benefit for many of our patients is the aesthetic effect of treatment. Radiofrequency also stimulates collagen in the treated skin, which may improve skin texture and the appearance of fine lines around the eyes. This combination allows us to address dry-eye concerns while also offering aesthetic benefits for patients interested in both.
ADVATx
ADVATx is a laser treatment that may help address inflammation and facial or ocular rosacea, which can contribute to dry eye symptoms and meibomian gland dysfunction. Its targeted wavelengths allow treatment of redness and vascular changes in the skin around the eyes and face.
By reducing inflammation and rosacea-related redness around the eyelids, ADVATx may help support a healthier environment for the meibomian glands and ocular surface. Treatment is comfortable for most patients and typically requires little to no downtime.
An added benefit is skin rejuvenation. ADVATx can also improve the appearance of redness, uneven skin tone, texture, and fine lines, making it a good option for patients interested in addressing both dry eye-related concerns and the appearance of the skin around the eyes.
Red Light Therapy (LLLT)
Red Light Therapy, also known as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. The light helps support cellular activity and may reduce inflammation around the eyes, supporting meibomian gland function and a healthier tear film.
For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, Red Light Therapy may be combined with treatments such as MGrx to help improve oil flow and relieve dry eye symptoms.
An added benefit is skin rejuvenation. Red Light Therapy may also support collagen production and improve the appearance of skin tone, texture, and fine lines around the eyes. For patients interested in additional aesthetic benefits, it can be combined with Radiofrequency or ADVATx.
Treatments are comfortable and require no downtime.
Prescription Dry Eye Medications
Prescription treatments may be recommended to reduce inflammation, improve tear production, stabilize the tear film, or address other causes of chronic dry eye. Depending on your needs, options may include Restasis, Cequa, Vevye, Xiidra, Tyrvaya, Tryptyr, Miebo, Eysuvis, or other anti-inflammatory treatments.
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
Meibography is a non-invasive imaging technique that allows us to see and evaluate the health of your oil glands (meibomian glands) located along your eyelids. These glands play an important role in keeping your eyes comfortable and your tears from evaporating too quickly. Meibography helps us detect signs of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) by showing any loss or structural changes.
Schirmer’s Test
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
The Schirmer's test measures your eye's tear production rate. By placing a thin strip of filter paper under the lower eyelid, we can determine the volume of tear production, aiding in the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome.
Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
Meibomian Gland Evaluation with Meibography
Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
TBUT is a critical test that evaluates the stability of your tear film. By applying a non-invasive dye to the eye, we observe how long it takes for dry spots to appear after a blink. This helps us understand the evaporative speed of your tears.
Fluorescein Staining Test
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
This diagnostic test uses a special dye called fluorescein that illuminates areas of damage on the cornea when exposed to blue light. It helps us identify dry spots, abrasions, or corneal erosions, providing valuable information on the severity and type of dry eye condition.
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Lissamine green is another dye used to highlight areas of the eye's surface that have been affected by dryness or damage. Unlike fluorescein, lissamine green stains devitalized cells and areas where the protective mucin layer is deficient, offering a complementary assessment to better understand your dry eye syndrome.
InflammaDry
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Lissamine Green Staining Test
InflammaDry is a diagnostic test that detects the presence of MMP-9, an enzyme associated with inflammation found in the tears of those with dry eye syndrome. This quick and painless test helps us identify and quantify inflammation, allowing for targeted treatment strategies.
Understanding Your Tear Film
How the Tear Film Affects Dry Eye
The tear film coats and protects the surface of your eyes, keeping them comfortable, hydrated, and your vision clear. When one or more layers of the tear film become unstable, tears may evaporate too quickly or fail to adequately protect the eye, contributing to dry eye symptoms.
The Three Layers of the Tear Film
1. The Lipid Layer: The outer layer is produced by the meibomian glands in the eyelids. It slows tear evaporation and helps keep the tear film stable. Poor oil production or blocked glands can contribute to evaporative dry eye.
2. The Aqueous Layer: Produced primarily by the lacrimal glands, this layer provides moisture and contains nutrients and proteins that help nourish and protect the surface of the eye.
3. The Mucin Layer: The inner layer helps tears spread evenly across the surface of the eye and remain attached to it. This creates a smooth, stable surface for comfortable, clear vision.
The Role of Meibomian Glands and Dry Eye Syndrome
The meibomian glands are tiny oil-producing glands located along the eyelids. They produce the lipid (oil) layer of the tear film, which helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
When these glands become blocked or stop producing healthy oils, a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can develop. MGD can cause the tears to evaporate too quickly, leading to burning, irritation, redness, fluctuating vision, and other dry eye symptoms. It is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye.