Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears to keep them lubricated and comfortable. Dry eye is more than just an occasional inconvenience—it can impact daily life, making reading, using a computer, or even driving at night more difficult.

There are two primary types of dry eye:

• Evaporative Dry Eye (EDE): The most common form, caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked, leading to rapid tear evaporation.

• Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye (ADDE): Occurs when the eyes do not produce enough watery tears due to issues with the lacrimal glands, often related to medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome or aging.

Several factors contribute to dry eye, including:

• Aging: Tear production naturally declines with age, making dry eye more common in older adults.

• Screen Time: Prolonged use of digital devices reduces blink rates, leading to increased tear evaporation.

• Contact Lens Use: Wearing contact lenses for extended periods can contribute to eye dryness and irritation.

• Environmental Conditions: Exposure to wind, air conditioning, or dry climates can cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.

• Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can decrease tear production.

• Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menopause, and hormone therapy can affect tear production.

• ​​​​​​​Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren’s syndrome can impair tear production.

At Texas State Optical Midlothian, we use advanced diagnostic tools to accurately assess your dry eye condition and identify the underlying cause. Some of the tests we perform include:

• Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT): Measures how quickly your tears evaporate to determine tear film stability.

• Meibography: Imaging technology that evaluates the health of the meibomian glands in your eyelids.

• Fluorescein Staining: Highlights damage or dryness on the eye’s surface by applying a special dye, helping to assess tear film stability and overall eye health.
  
  

With these precise diagnostics, we can develop a customized treatment plan to provide lasting relief.

For patients with moderate to severe dry eye, over-the-counter artificial tears may not provide sufficient relief. In these cases, prescription eye drops offer a more effective solution by addressing the underlying cause of dryness rather than just providing temporary moisture.

There are different types of prescription eye drops, each targeting a specific aspect of dry eye:

• Tear-Stimulating Drops: Some prescription drops are designed to enhance natural tear production by stimulating the lacrimal glands. These are particularly useful for patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye, where the eyes fail to produce enough natural tears.

• Anti-Inflammatory Drops: Chronic inflammation of the ocular surface or meibomian glands can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Certain medicated drops help reduce inflammation, allowing the eyes to regain balance and improve natural tear film stability.
  
  

While these medications are not an instant cure, consistent use can lead to significant improvement in symptoms, reducing irritation, redness, and discomfort over time. We carefully assess your condition to determine the most suitable prescription option for your specific needs.

The OPTASE® Moist Heat Mask is designed to provide therapeutic warmth to the eyelids, helping to unblock the meibomian glands and improve the overall quality of the tear film. For many patients, integrating this moist heat mask into their eye care routine leads to noticeable improvements in eye comfort, making it an essential tool in long-term dry eye management.

For severe or chronic dry eye cases, where inflammation and corneal damage have progressed, regenerative medicine can offer a more advanced solution. Prokera® and NEOX® FLO Amniotic Tissue Treatments are groundbreaking therapies that harness the healing properties of amniotic tissue to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

• Prokera® is a therapeutic device that consists of cryopreserved amniotic membrane placed within a soft ring that is inserted onto the eye.

• The amniotic tissue contains anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties that help to heal the ocular surface and reduce discomfort.
  

• The treatment is minimally invasive and is often recommended for patients with severe dry eye, corneal damage, or persistent eye irritation.

• NEOX® FLO is a liquid amniotic fluid therapy designed to provide fast-acting relief for dry eye sufferers.

• NEOX® FLO is administered as an eye drop, making it a comfortable, non-invasive option for patients with moderate to severe dry eye.

• The therapy works by reducing inflammation and supporting corneal healing, restoring the ocular surface without surgery or long recovery times.

When it comes to treating dry eye, choosing the right provider is essential for long-term relief and eye health. We go beyond symptom management by using state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to identify the root cause of dry eye, ensuring precise and effective treatment. Our personalized treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s specific condition and lifestyle, offering a full range of solutions, from prescription therapies to advanced regenerative treatments.

​​​​​​​If you’re struggling with dry eye symptoms, schedule a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with Texas State Optical Midlothian today and let us help you find lasting relief and restore your eye health.