Dry eye occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when the tears you make evaporate too quickly.
Your tears are more complex than you might think. They're made up of three layers: an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucus inner layer. When any part of this system isn't working properly, you can develop dry eye symptoms.
Many people are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eye. When your eyes are irritated from dryness, they can respond by producing excess tears, which are often poor quality and don't solve the underlying problem.
Dry eye can develop for many reasons, and it's important to understand that not all dry eye is the same. Some people experience chronic dry eye, where symptoms persist day after day regardless of circumstances. Others have intermittent dry eye, where discomfort comes and goes based on specific triggers or situations.
Age is a significant factor in chronic dry eye. As we get older, tear production naturally decreases. Women are more likely to experience chronic symptoms, especially during pregnancy or menopause. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases, can also lead to ongoing dry eye issues.
Intermittent dry eye often results from environmental factors or temporary situations. Extended screen time is a major culprit in our digital world, as we blink less frequently when staring at computers or phones.
Certain medications, like antihistamines and blood pressure drugs, can cause temporary dryness. Environmental factors such as wind, air conditioning, dry climates, or even a day spent outdoors can trigger symptoms that weren't there the day before. Contact lens wear can also cause intermittent symptoms, particularly after wearing them for extended periods.
Whether your symptoms are constant or occasional, it's important to have your eyes examined. What might seem like minor irritation from a long day at the computer could actually be an early sign of a more significant issue with your tear production or gland function. A comprehensive evaluation helps your eye doctor determine whether you're dealing with situational dryness or a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.
Schedule an AppointmentAt Laconia Eye & Laser Center, we use the Oculus Keratograph, a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that helps us understand exactly what's happening with your tears and the glands that produce them. This technology examines your meibomian glands, which are the tiny glands in your eyelids responsible for producing the oil layer of your tears. The Keratograph also measures how quickly your tear film breaks up and evaluates the lipid layer quality.
This advanced imaging allows us to diagnose the specific type of dry eye you're experiencing, whether it's evaporative dry eye, inflammatory dry eye, or blepharitis, a condition where the eyelids become inflamed. With this detailed information, we can create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Schedule an Appointment
Lumecca IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is an excellent treatment for the most common type of dry eye. During this in-office treatment, we apply intense pulses of light to the skin around your eyes. The light energy triggers beneficial responses in your skin and glands, including reducing inflammation and improving meibomian gland function.
The treatment is customized based on your skin type and specific needs. Many patients notice improvement after just a few sessions.
Forma-I is another treatment for dry eye that uses radiofrequency energy to gently warm the delicate skin around your eyes and eyelids. This thermal treatment improves the function of your meibomian glands without medication, helping them produce better quality oil for your tear film. It's a comfortable, non-invasive option that many patients find relaxing.
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Technology) is like a deep cleaning for your eyelids. This in-office treatment thoroughly cleanses your eyelids and lashes, removing debris, bacteria, and even tiny mites called demodex that can contribute to inflammation and dry eye. Many patients describe it as feeling like a spa treatment for their eyes.
Punctal Plugs offer a simple solution for patients whose tears drain away too quickly. These tiny devices, about the size of a grain of rice, are painlessly inserted into your tear ducts to slow drainage. By keeping tears on your eye's surface longer, punctal plugs provide natural, sustained lubrication throughout the day.
Schedule an Appointment
Daily eyelid hygiene is crucial for managing dry eye. We carry Zocular lid scrub products that you can use at home to keep your eyelid margins clean between office treatments. Heated eye masks are another simple but effective tool, as the warmth helps liquefy the oils in your meibomian glands, allowing them to flow more freely.
We also provide access to quality artificial tears and rewetting drops through Dry Eye Rescue. Not all over-the-counter eye drops are created equal, and your eye doctor at Laconia Eye & Laser Center can help you choose products that will work best for your specific type of dry eye.
Visit Dry Eye Rescue siteWe offer several prescription options that target dry eye at its source. Medications like Cequa, Veyve, and Restasis work by reducing inflammation and helping your eyes produce more of their own natural tears. Xdemvy is a newer treatment specifically designed for certain types of dry eye. These medications typically require consistent use over several weeks before you'll notice improvement, but they can provide long-term relief.
Schedule an Appointment
The key to successfully managing dry eye is finding the right combination of treatments for your unique situation. Some patients do well with a simple regimen of daily lid hygiene and quality artificial tears. Others benefit from prescription medications or in-office procedures like IPL or Forma-I. Many patients find that combining treatments provides the best results.
During your consultation, we'll thoroughly evaluate your eyes, discuss your symptoms and lifestyle, and create a customized treatment plan. Dry eye is typically a chronic condition, which means ongoing management rather than a one-time fix. However, with the right approach, most patients can achieve significant symptom relief and protect their long-term eye health.
Schedule your comprehensive dry eye evaluation today and take the first step toward lasting comfort.
Schedule an Appointment
