How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

Almost all of us experience dry eye symptoms occasionally. Being in a room with the air conditioning turned too high or outdoors on a windy day can leave your eyes feeling dry and irritated. If dry eye bothers you regardless of external factors, it may be caused by an underlying issue. Many of these issues are treatable, restoring your eye health. 

What is Dye Eye?

Dry eye is a condition that results in persistently irritated, dry, itchy eyes. It can occur for many reasons, but it usually develops because there is a problem with the amount or quality of your tears. Tears are a combination of water, oils, and other ingredients. The oils or lipids are vital to keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. Tears that lack any component will not effectively hydrate or lubricate your eyes. 

How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

Since dry eye can have many causes, diagnosis requires a full consultation and eye examination with one of our dry eye specialists. They will review your medical history, current medications and supplements, and other factors that can contribute to dry eye, such as extensive computer use or working in a dry environment. 

They will also examine your eyes and the structures that produce your tears to look for signs of dysfunction. They may recommend medical tests if they think your dry eye may have an underlying medical cause, such as a thyroid problem or allergies. Diagnosis is the first step in beginning dry eye treatment. When we understand why your eyes feel dry, we can find tools to help you achieve relief. 

How is Dry Eye Treated?

Your Vold Vision team offers several options for improving dry eye symptoms. Treatments may include eye drops, oral medications, or non-invasive in-office procedures. We can also help you find inexpensive at-home ways to ease your eye irritation. Our in-office treatments are an excellent option for those who have not achieved relief with other methods or want to rely less on medications. Many people find that these procedures provide long-lasting relief and reduce or eliminate the need for drops or other treatments. 

IPL

Dry eye can be caused by inflammation that prevents normal tear production. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses broadband light to decrease inflammation, improve blood flow, and increase tear production. As an added bonus, IPL can significantly improve the skin under your eyes, giving them a rejuvenated appearance. Most people feel nothing more than the sensation of a rubber band lightly snapped against the skin. 

Prokera®

This treatment is known as a biological corneal bandage. Prokera® covers the eye with a thin membrane that is easily placed and removed in a quick office visit. This membrane protects and helps heal the eye after procedures and can help strengthen the cornea. It can provide dry eye relief within days that lasts for several months after the bandage itself is removed.  

LipiFlow®

One of the most common causes of dry eye is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). This condition occurs when glands along the edge of the eyelid become blocked and cannot produce an oil called meibum, a critical component of tears. LipiFlow® uses warmth and mechanical pulses to clear the glands and restore normal tears gently. Treatment is gentle and not uncomfortable, often compared to an eyelid massage. 

Is There Any Recovery After Dry Eye Treatment?

Dry eye treatments require little to no recovery time. They are gentle enough that you can return to your usual activities immediately. You may achieve relief with eye drops, medications, in-office treatments, or any combination of these. While procedures like LipiFlow® can help some people stop using eye drops or other treatments, others may still need them for full relief. Dry eye is often chronic, and you may require occasional follow-up treatments to maintain your results. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Dry Eye Treatment?

If you have dry eyes, your Vold Vision team has options that can help. Most people are good candidates for at least a few of our treatments. A correct diagnosis will help your eye expert approach your condition with effective strategies that provide results. Let your provider know if you have any health conditions that might affect your eyes. 

Take the Next Step

You’ll benefit not only from the latest technologies available but also from our compassionate, personal approach. You’re more than a patient at Vold Vision in Bentonville and Fayetteville. We strive to make you as comfortable as possible while evaluating the optimal treatment plan just for you. We invite Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and Springdale residents to contact us today for a consultation at (479) 442-8653.