Dry eye treatment is often necessary for long-term vision health
A dry eye syndrome is a typically chronic and generally progressive condition affecting the conjunctiva and the middle eye region. Depending upon its exact cause and extent, it might not always be entirely cured. However, in many cases, dry eye treatment can be effectively managed, generally leading to less dry eye symptoms, more stable vision, and in some cases, even sharper vision without any loss of vision quality.
Common symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome include excessive dryness, tearing, redness, and discomfort. Typically, dry eye treatment for these symptoms includes topical ointments or medications, such as eyelid drops, and medical attention from eye doctors. In some cases, an ointment for eyelid protection is sufficient, while in others, more aggressive treatment is required. Generally, eye doctors treat dry eye syndrome with appropriate medications and therapy to address symptoms.
For cases where topical eye drops are not sufficient, steroid eye drops may be prescribed by a specialist. Steroid eye drops help to reduce inflammation by reducing the ability of bacteria to adhere to the conjunctiva and epithelial layers. They also reduce the water content of the eye drops, which allows for better absorption into the eye. Some steroids also help to thin the tears, which is beneficial in alleviating some of the dryness and discomfort. However, a separate antibiotic may be necessary to prevent bacterial infections.
In more extreme cases, steroid injections are also sometimes needed. In general, however, most cases of dry eyes are not requiring such treatments. Often the symptoms are so mild that medication is not necessary. If, however, these symptoms persist for longer than a couple weeks, a visit to an optometrist or ophthalmologist should be made. Eye doctors are trained to properly diagnose and treat dry eye treatment needs.
A doctor can also prescribe artificial tears to prevent dry eyes. These artificial tears contain the same ingredients found in natural tears, but they are specially formulated to provide moisture. Typically, artificial tears are prescribed to those whose tear ducts are unable to adequately produce tears, as is the case with many individuals with chronic dry eyes. While these treatments can be quite effective, they are not a substitute for the natural remedies often recommended by an eye care professional.
In some cases, particularly when additional treatments are necessary to resolve the issue, ipl therapies (IPL) are administered. An all device is simply a small computer chip with an infrared transmitter. The transmitter emits ipl pulses of light, which are absorbed by the eyelid and treated there. Iridus around the eye may also be diminished as a result of the treatment.