There are many treatments to relieve the symptoms of dry eye, which range from making simple changes in your home, to in-office procedures. It depends on the underlying cause of your dry eye. No matter what your individual treatment plan entails, the most important thing to remember is to be consistent and follow instructions regularly. Dry eye can be managed so that you can be symptom-free for months, even years – but even if you no longer have symptoms, you must still continue the treatment program prescribed by your eye care professional to keep dry eye at bay. Because dry eye is an inflammatory condition like arthritis, you can experience flare ups from time to time. Should this happen, just schedule an appointment with us. We’ll always work with you to find the best plan to keep your eyes moisturized, comfortable, and healthy. Bullet Summary: Dry eye treatment plans vary depending on the underlying cause Like any inflammatory condition, consistently following your treatment plan is key to managing dry eye Contact us if you experience a flare up – we may need to adjust your treatment.
There are a variety of dry eye treatments available to provide relief from dry eye. Once your eye care professional identifies the underlying cause of your dry eye, he or she will work with you to design a flexible treatment plan customized to your needs. If your dry eye is caused by your environment or behavior, you may be advised to make small changes. These can be as simple as reducing the speed of ceiling fans in your home – or remembering to blink more often when you use computers. Your eye care professional might recommend drinking more water or eating foods or supplements high in omega fatty acids or vitamin A.Your tear production may also be the cause of your dry eye. Eye drops including prescription medications, artificial tear drops, gels, or ointments are often used to increase eye moisture or tear production and may be used in combination with other treatments. Another option, called punctal plugs, retains tears in the eye by blocking the tear drainage canal. If you are experiencing dry eye as a result of another condition, your eye care professional will also treat that cause. For example, if you wear contact lenses, you may need to try other types of lenses. If you have inflamed or clogged eyelid glands, your doctor will offer methods to treat the glands ranging from at-home lid hygiene techniques, to in-office procedures. Let us work with you to find the best course of treatment for your dry eye!
