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Specialized Dry Eye Treatments in San Carlos Eye Care
Punctal Plugs
A simple, minimally invasive procedure designed to help retain moisture on the eye's surface. Tiny plugs are placed in the tear ducts to slow tear drainage, allowing natural tears and lubricating eye drops to remain on the eye longer. Punctal plugs may be helpful for patients with aqueous deficient or chronic dry eye.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are a specialized contact lens option for dry eye relief, offering a larger diameter that covers the entire cornea. They maintain eye hydration by forming a tear-filled chamber over the cornea, acting as a moisture reservoir to alleviate dry eye discomfort.
Zest In-Office Eyelid Cleaning Treatment
Experience the refreshing relief of our ZEST In-Office Eyelid Cleaning treatment. This gentle, non-invasive cleaning (eyelid debridement) uses a natural okra-based solution to thoroughly cleanse and remove residue from your eyelids. This painless procedure exfoliates the eyelids and opens up the meibomian glands, allowing oils to be released into the eye. This eliminates irritants that can cause discomfort and exacerbate dry eye symptoms, treats blepharitis, and promotes the formation of healthy tears, ensuring your eyes stay comfortable.
MGrx
Focused on tackling Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), a leading cause of dry eye, MGrx employs gentle heat and massage to unclog the meibomian glands. This non-invasive approach enhances the natural oil flow into the tears, stabilizing the tear film and providing significant symptom relief.
Amniotic Membranes
Amniotic membranes are biologic tissues that are rich in natural healing factors. They are placed on the eye to reduce inflammation and promote the repair of the ocular surface. Acting as a protective barrier, they accelerate healing, maintain moisture, and prevent further damage. This advanced therapy not only alleviates the discomfort associated with dry eyes but also supports the restoration of healthy eye tissue, offering patients a significant improvement in symptoms and eye health.
Autologous Serum Eye Drops
Autologous Serum Eye Drops (ASEDs) are created using the patient's own blood. The blood is centrifuged to separate the serum, which is then diluted with a sterile saline solution to a concentration suited for the patient's specific condition. As such, autologous serum eye drops contain various growth factors, vitamins, and nutrients naturally found in blood serum that are essential for corneal healing and replacing the tear film. They are particularly beneficial for treating severe dry eye conditions, persistent corneal ulcers, and other ocular surface disorders that have not responded well to conventional treatments.
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.
Meibomian Gland (Oil Glands) Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland (Oil Glands) Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland (Oil Glands) 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 (Oil Glands) Evaluation with Meibography
Meibomian Gland (Oil Glands) 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 (Oil Glands) Evaluation with Meibography
Fluorescence Staining Test
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.
Fluorescence Staining Test
Lissamine Green Staining Test
Fluorescence Staining Test
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.