Dry Eye Treatment

It’s More Than A Dry Feeling: Your Eye Comfort Plays a Part In Quality of Life

Dealing with stinging, tired, red eyes, or blurry vision can take the joy out of your day—whether it’s focusing at work, using digital screens, or just feeling comfortable. Dry eye is a common, chronic eye problem that can affect your quality of life, no matter your age.

The weather in Minnesota doesn’t always play nice with our eyes. Indoor heating during frosty winters can contribute to dry, scratchy eyes, while air conditioning during humid summers can suck moisture out of the air.

We understand how frustrating dry eye can be, and we’re here to help. Our eye doctors create personalized dry eye treatment plans designed to help give you long-lasting relief. Book your appointment, and let’s make those eyes feel happy again.

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What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye syndrome (DES) occurs when your eyes can’t produce enough tears or the tears you produce evaporate too quickly. This leads to a dry, irritated feeling on the eye’s surface.

Common dry eye symptoms include:

Dry or watery eyes
Gritty, stinging, or burning sensation
Redness
Light sensitivity
Blurred vision
Difficulty wearing contact lenses

How Dry Eyes Can Impact You

Dry eyes can go beyond just physical discomfort. When your eyes are irritated, it might be all you can think about.

Here are a few common ways eye discomfort can affect your daily life:

Reduced Productivity: Constant irritation can make it difficult to focus on tasks at work or school.
Limited Activities: The everyday activities you used to enjoy—like reading, watching TV, scrolling social media, or driving—can be frustrating with tired, burning eyes.
Contact Lens Discomfort: Soft contact lenses absorb moisture from the eye’s surface, which can cause irritation and blurred vision.

Regain Comfort with Dry Eye Treatments

Our eye doctors take the time to see where you’re coming from, understanding your concerns, needs, and how your symptoms are affecting your day-to-day. We’re here to work out a treatment plan that brings back your comfort and helps you maintain healthy, clear vision.

We can offer various dry eye treatment options to help target your symptoms and the cause of your discomfort. Our goal is to provide lasting relief.

Here are a few of the options we might suggest.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy uses pulses of light to target inflammation and help unblock your meibomian glands, the tiny oil factories in your eyelids. These oil glands help keep your tears from evaporating too quickly.

With healthier glands, your eyes can feel more comfortable and less dry for longer.

Eyelid Hygiene & Eyelid Debridement

Just like washing your face, keeping your eyelids clean is essential for eye health. We can show you thorough eyelid hygiene techniques to help remove debris and bacteria that can irritate your eyes and contribute to dry eye.

We may also recommend eyelid debridement, a procedure where we gently remove any crusting or debris from the base of your eyelashes for a fresh start.

Omega-3 Supplements

Daily omega-3 supplements can help improve the quality and quantity of your tear production. Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil and certain seeds) have anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve the overall function of the meibomian (oil-producing) glands.

Meibomian Gland Expression

Sometimes, your meibomian glands just need a little help getting things flowing. Meibomian gland expression is a gentle in-office procedure where our eye doctor massages your eyelids to express any blockages.

Think of it like gently squeezing out a tube of toothpaste when the opening has dried, blocking the paste inside. This treatment helps clear the way for your glands to produce the oils your tears need to stay moist.

Punctal Plugs

Think of punctal plugs like tiny dams for your tears. These small inserts are placed in the drainage holes of your eyelids to help keep your tears from draining away too quickly. Your tears will then stay on your eyes’ surface for longer, improving lubrication duration to help relieve dryness.

Evaluating & Monitoring Dry Eye for Effective Treatment

Before recommending a treatment plan, our eye doctors will perform a comprehensive dry eye evaluation.

These tests are crucial for both initial diagnosis and monitoring treatment progress. Evaluating your tear quality can help us understand the root cause of your dry eye and determine if your treatment plan effectively addresses your needs.

Some of the tests we may recommend include meibography, Schirmer’s test, and tear breakup time (TBUT).

Our Dry Eyes Tests

Meibography: This imaging test allows us to visualize your meibomian glands to assess their health and identify blockages.

Schirmer’s Test: This test measures your tear production by placing a small strip of paper under your lower eyelid to see how much moisture is produced in a specific timeframe.

Tear Breakup Time (TBUT): This test uses a special dye to measure how long it takes for your tears to evaporate, which can indicate tear instability.

Find Relief Now: Schedule Your Dry Eye Exam Today

Don’t put up with discomfort. Schedule an appointment with our eye doctors today to discuss your dry eye concerns and explore treatment options that can transform your life. We can help you find lasting relief and get back to enjoying clearer, more comfortable vision.

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