Total Care for Dry Eyes
Dry eye can result in discomfort or visual changes. Common symptoms can include stinging, burning, a gritty feeling, redness, or mucous in the eye. Some people experience excessive watering as the eye tries to compensate. Other people notice visual fatigue or blurring, or other changes to visual acuity. Advanced dry eye can lead to susceptibility to infection, as well as changes to the corneal surface that can impair vision. Dry eye symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Recurring blurred vision sometimes may be the only symptom, while counter-intuitively, excessive tearing can actually be a symptom of dry eye in other patients. Symptoms alone are NOT a true indication of how severe dry eye is. Only dry eye testing done during an eye exam can truly show how progressed dry eye is in a sufferer.
Dr. Farbowitz strives to stay up-to-date on the latest technology breakthroughs. In an effort to create a comprehensive treatment program for dry-eye, our practice has added several new diagnostic and treatment options to better serve our patients. We have added testing for inflammation, tear film osmolarity, and blocked or insufficient meibomian glands. Common causes, such as screen time, medical conditions, medications, lid hygiene, environmental factors, nutrition are evaluated as well. These tests and evaluations help Dr. Farbowitz determine the type of dry eye that a patient is experiencing and form an appropriate plan of treatment. Preventative measures might include eye protection, using a humidifier, eye breaks, and use of artificial tears. Treatments can include artificial tears, lid hygiene products, vitamin supplements, prescription drops, punctal plugs, and LipiFlow treatment to improve oil flow in the tear film. LipiFlow technology helps unblock oil glands to protect the tear film and corneas. This 12-minute procedure is done in-office. It uses special heat and massage techniques to promote oil flow in the eyes. Patients liken the experience to a spa treatment, and the results can last for years with proper maintenance care observed afterward.
Proper moisture levels in the eye are vital to overall eye health. Our practice is proud to offer solutions and preventative measures to our patients to combat this growing problem.
If you experience any symptoms of dry eye, call to schedule an evaluation at 973-379-2544.
Read Dr. Farbowitz’s published article on Dry Eye for more information!
