Dry Eye Treatment
Dry Eye Diagnosis
Our doctors are specially trained in dry eye diagnosis. They will perform a comprehensive eye examination with a special emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes.
As an accredited TearLab Dry Eye Center, we use the TearLab Osmolarity System to diagnose and manage our dry eye patients.
Benefits of being a TearLab Dry Eye Center:
- Fast, accurate, and objective results in seconds
- Incorporating osmolarity into the standard of care gives the best indication of early-stage disease
LipiView Analysis
LipiView is a noninvasive device that provides a digital image of a patient’s tear film. This instrument is also used in the measurement of the tears lipid content and quality. LipiView is a dry eye examination procedure that provides a proper diagnosis, helping our eye doctor at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region diagnosis whether the patient will need a LipiFlow treatment procedure or must undergo other dry eye therapy treatments intended for curing anyone with dry eye condition.
The following steps are included in the LipiView procedure:
- The examination is at Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region
- The whole procedure takes about 5 minutes.
- You will be asked to look directly at a special light camera and blink normally where a computer-aided program will take care of the necessary measurements of the patient’s lipid content and quality.
Dry Eye Treatment
When it comes to treating dry eyes, every patient’s needs are a bit different. Many find relief simply from using artificial tears when needed to relieve their dry eye symptoms. Some of these products are watery and alleviate the symptoms temporarily; others are thicker and adhere to the eye longer. Preservative-free tears are recommended because they are the most soothing and have fewer additives that could potentially irritate. Closing the opening of the tear drain in the eyelid with special inserts called punctal plugs is another option. These plugs trap the tears on the eye, keeping it moist. This may be done on a temporary basis with a dissolvable collagen plug or permanently with a silicone plug.
LipiFlow Dry Eye Treatment
Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region is excited to offer the new LipiFlow® thermal pulsation treatment. If you experience evaporative dry eye, you can now get this treatment. With only one treatment, you can experience sustained relief.
PROKERA® for Dry Eye Treatment
Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region recently added a new tool to their dry eye treatment program with the addition of PROKERA®. Approved by the FDA, the PROKERA is a safe and effective way to heal the cornea. PROKERA acts like a corneal bandage reducing pain, minimizing scarring and promoting healing in patients with dry eye. PROKERA consists of a segment of amniotic membrane tissue fitted between two clear, flexible rings. The amniotic membrane is cryopreserved and saved in a tissue bank regulated by the FDA.
Inserting the PROKERA is a simple procedure done at our office by an eye doctor. In a recent patient survey done by the manufacturer Biotissue, 93% of patients with dry eye said they felt better after treatment with PROKERA.
PROKERA is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared therapeutic device that reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
NovaTears® for Dry Eye Treatment
For at-home treatment of dry eyes, our doctors can prescribe a new, revolutionary type of artificial tears called NovaTears®. NovaTears is the first and only water-free topical eye drop treatment specifically developed to treat patients with dry eye disease.
NovaTears work by lubricating the surface of the eye, reducing excessive tear evaporation, and stabilizing the tear film—all of which relieve the symptoms of dry eye disease, including blurred vision, burning and itching, redness, and watery eyes. It is a unique preservative-free, phosphate-free, and water-free eye lubricant and tear film stabilizer in a multi-dose bottle, with one drop providing immediate and long-lasting results.
Our patients find that NovaTears spread easily and quickly on the eye accompanied by a pleasant, warm, silky feeling, rather than the stinging or blurring that can be a common side effect of other dry eye drops. Multiple clinical trials found that the drops are effective for a longer period of time compared to other drops on the market, as NovaTears are able to stabilize the lipid layer of the eye without causing blurred vision for several hours—meaning more comfort for a longer period throughout the day.
If you think you’re experiencing dry eye syndrome or have been told you do have dry eyes. Call to schedule an appointment for a dry eye evaluation and to see if NovaTears is right for you.
Relieving Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry Eye Omega Benefits® is custom formulated with a high concentration of the anti-inflammatory omega-3, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) in its natural triglyceride form, combined with vitamin D3 for additional comprehensive health benefits. This product offers an effective, safe, and natural way to address dry eye symptoms systemically rather than topically.
Dry Eye Questionnaire
If your eyes frequently burn or feel gritty or filled with sand, you may be experiencing dry eye disease. This may worsen with time and may impact your vision, lead to damage to the surface of the eye, increase the risk of infection following surgery, and make everyday activities like driving at night or computer work more difficult.
The good news is that Ophthalmic Consultants of the Capital Region can provide treatment options to help manage dry eye disease. To help us determine the presence and severity of your dry eye disease, please complete the questionnaire below.
NEXT STEPS
If you think you may have dry eye or have been told you do, it is important to schedule an appointment. The sooner we can treat your dry eyes, the sooner your eyes will feel better and less irritated.
Get in touch with us today at our nearest location to you
