Dry Eye Care
Moderate to severe dry eye syndrome can cause major problems and decrease quality of life. Fortunately there are many new pharmacologic and therapeutic options for the dry eye patient. We have devised new protocols for treating dry eyes with a regular schedule of follow-ups, which help us determine if treatment is effective.
There are many causes of dry eye, including medications, oil gland dysfunction, blepharitis, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, menopause, thyroid disease, and Sjogren’s Syndrome.
The key to treating dry eye is to determine the underlying cause. Thus, we not only help the patient feel more comfortable, but we are also helping to treat the underlying problem. Once the problem is diagnosed, we can determine the treatment most likely to help. Follow-up care is imperative because the effectiveness of different treatments can vary for each patient.
The Dry Eye Clinic at Bishop Eye Center uses the most current effective treatments for dry eye, which include, but are not limited to, Restasis, Lotemax, punctal occlusion, aggressive artificial tear therapy, omega 3 oil recommendations, and antibiotics.
For our most severe dry eye patients, we also offer therapeutic scleral lenses. We are one of the few clinics in this region that is experienced in fitting these lenses, which are prescribed to treat severe dry eye or corneal disease. The scleral lens is a large diameter rigid gas permeable contact lens that works by trapping a reservoir of tears on the cornea. We employ all the latest science, materials, and techniques involving this exciting therapeutic modality.
We realize that dry eye is a serious problem and that many patients are frustrated by its chronic nature. We are dedicated to treating this often debilitating disease. Our goal is to provide our patients with the best specialized treatment, whether it is as simple as over-the-counter artificial tears or as complex as the therapeutic scleral lens.
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