Dry Eye Disease
Find lasting comfort through cutting-edge treatments and compassionate guidance. Your journey to clear, rejuvenated eyes begins here with our dry eye expert, Dr. Hawks.
%
of Americans struggle daily with Dry Eye Syndrome
%
of Americans have Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Common Symptoms Are:
Redness
Frequent Tearing
Discharge
Dryness
Stinging
Itching
Two Types of Dry Eye
Evaporative Dry Eye: Occurs secondary to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where the oils that form the lipid layer become solidified and trapped within the meibomian glands. This causes the tear film to evaporate quickly off the eye.
Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: Occurs when an insufficient amount of the aqueous layer of the tear film is produced.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when the layer of tears covering our eye, called the tear film, is no longer able to protect the cornea from exposure to the environment. This can happen when not enough tears are formed or if our tears evaporate too quickly.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, the root cause of most dry eye cases, occurs when the oil (meibum) from the eyelid’s glands, crucial for stabilizing the tear film and preventing evaporation, solidifies. This blockage leads to a faster tear film evaporation, resulting in a dry ocular surface.
Diagnosing Dry Eye Syndrome
Dr. Hawks, our dry eye expert, uses innovative techniques and advanced technology like the Lipiscan for precise diagnosis of Dry Eye Syndrome. Her detailed evaluations of tear film, cornea, and meibomian glands, aided by unique dyes, ensure accurate assessment and effective treatment for your dry eye issues.
Dry Eye is more than an annoyance, it’s a serious health issue that can lead to permanent changes to the ocular surface and even vision loss. To get relief, schedule now with our dry eye expert, Dr. Chelsey Hawks!
Treatments for Dry Eye
Dr. Hawks excels in developing personalized treatment plans for Dry Eye disease, tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Leveraging the latest technology, she ensures optimal care, aiming to not only manage your symptoms, but also target the root cause of your dry eye condition.
LipiFlow
An in office treatment using gentle thermal pulsation to treat MGD.
Learn More:
Scleral Lenses
Used to treat dry eye in contact lens wearers. Learn more here.
Celluma LLLT
An in office treatment using wavelengths to treat MGD.
Heat Mask
Hot compresses used at home to maintain meibum after LipiFlow.
Amniotic Membranes
Similar to a contact lens ut used to rebuild corneas damaged by dry eye.
Punctal Plugs
Silicone plugs that keep tears from draining off the ocular surface.
Rx Eye Drops
Such as Restasis, Xiidra, or Cequa help produce more natural tears.
Artificial Tears
Used as needed to replenish the tear film and protect the cornea at night.
Serum Tears
Customized drops made from a patient’s own blood which makes them have more healing properties beyond that of artificial tears.