10-20% of Americans Suffer From Dry Eyes
Dry Eye Disease, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction & eye allergies are some of the most common eye conditions, all of which have been on the rise. Causes of these include increased pollution levels, medication side effects, and changing hormonal levels to name a few. Untreated symptoms can cause intermittent vision reduction and eye infection. In extremely severe cases, it can cause loss of vision.
Symptoms might include:
- A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Eye redness
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Watery eyes, which is the body’s response to the irritation of dry eye disease
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
Causes of these include increased pollution levels, medication side effects, and changing hormonal levels to name a few. Untreated symptoms can cause intermittent vision reduction and eye infection. In extremely severe cases, it can cause loss of vision.
At Envision, we have treatment options including therapeutics for at-home use, Intense Pulse Light Therapy (IPL), LipiScan, Thermal 1-Touch, and more! Most recently we have acquired OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS, from Lumenis, the first and only FDA-approved IPL devices for management of dry eye disease due to Meibomian Glands Dysfunction (MGD). We have certified clinicians in-house to ensure your treatment is effective and safe. If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, rest assured there are relief options and treatments to support you.
Schedule your exam today by calling us at 828.254.6757 or by scheduling online.
Treatments
LIPISCAN
LipiScan is a non-invasive procedure that helps our doctors analyze the health of your meibomian glands. It plays an important role in diagnosing and treating the symptoms of dry eye disease. This procedure can be performed during your comprehensive eye health exam as part of our preventative package.
HOME THERAPY DRY EYE KIT
Helps to reduce symptoms of inflammation, also known as dry eye disease. Includes a warm compress to help stabilize tear film, improve oil gland function, and slow tear evaporation; artificial tears to supplement the layer of water, oil, and mucus that keeps your eyes moist; and tea tree foaming cleanser to help maintain healthy meibomian glands and promote lid hygiene. These items are available individually, but when you bundle them together and purchase the kit, you’ll save fifteen percent!
OPTILIGHT & OPTIPLUS (IPL TREATMENT) BY LUMENIS
The powerful pairing of OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS unlocks the potential of two dedicated, innovative devices for advanced expertise, patient comfort, and safety. OptiLIGHT resolves demodex mites that accumulate in the meibomian glands and reduces ocular rosacea, inflammation, and redness.
OptiLIGHT is an instrument that uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to improve the underlying causes of dry eye.
OptiPLUS is a radio-frequency device that precisely reaches different skin layers to enhance blood circulation, collagen production, and target meibomian glands.
FDA CERTIFIED TO TREAT:
- Dry Eye Disease
- Ocular Rosacea
- Demodex
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
- Aesthetics Benefits
Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices are non-laser high-intensity light sources that make use of a high-output flashlamp to produce a broad wavelength output of noncoherent light. It has been used to treat skin conditions for over 20 years. That light output can deliver controlled pulses of intense red and infrared light to the skin in only a few milliseconds. This Light treats dry eye disease by absorption in the mitochondria of the Meibomian glands, which activates them to produce a better oil layer, thereby improving tear quality. This light is also used effectively to kill demodex mites that accumulate in the meibomian glands. IPL improves ocular rosacea-related inflammation and redness by sealing off these small leaky capillaries.
Dry eye disease is a chronic disease, and this treatment is not a cure, but it is proven to reduce progression and improve symptoms. After 4 treatments, your symptoms should improve in 30-90 days. Depending on the severity of the disease, you may need maintenance treatments a few times a year. Your current dry eye disease treatment regimen should be continued unless your doctor informs you of any changes. The goal is for you to have fewer symptoms, with less daily maintenance, and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals. At Envision, we have invested in this therapy, which makes treatment easier and more effective.
THINGS TO AVOID DURING TREATMENT:
- Direct sunlight
- Tanning beds
- Waxing
- Chemical peels
- Collagen injections
- Medications that increase your bleeding risk, such as Aspirin (Ecotrin) and Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Creams or other products that contain vitamin A, such as RetinA or glycolic acid
THERMAL 1-TOUCH
The Thermal 1-Touch is used to treat the most common form of dry eye disease called evaporative dry eye disease. Normally, one’s tears rely on a delicate balance of nutrients and oils to coat the eye. The oils are produced through the meibomian glands, but when your glands get clogged, your tears no longer receive these essential oils. Thus, your tears become overly watery and will evaporate before they reach the eye.
By reaching a certain temperature, the device can safely and comfortably express the glands to allow your oils to pass through normally. The Thermal 1-touch is a great solution to unclog your meibomian glands. Within days, dry eye disease symptoms will be reduced.