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Dry Eye Treatment

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We are thrilled to now offer PRN Omega Health range of supplements in Levittown PA.

Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals (PRN) is a leader in specialty Omega-3 products and nutritional supplements. Their products are developed in partnership with doctors and supported by a comprehensive body of clinical evidence.

Thousands of top physicians across the country recommend the use of PRN products versus other over-the-counter Omega-3s to help reduce occasional dry eye symptoms, improve overall tear quality, support macular health and improve visual function.

We also supply the Eye Doctor Plus Compress

eye compressThis microwaveable and reusable eye compress (eye mask) is now available at our practice. When used hot, this compress provides effective relief and treatment for patients suffering from dry eyes, blepharitis, and general grittiness and soreness, including for contact lens patients who are experiencing issues with comfort.  

The Cold compress provides effective symptom relief for eye discomfort related to allergies, sinus problems, and general sore eyes.

Contact us for more details.

 

More Information on Dry Eyes in Levittown, PA

Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome (DES) is an ongoing condition that treatments may be unable to cure. But the symptoms of dry eye—including dryness, scratchiness and burning—can usually be successfully managed.

Your optometrist may recommend artificial tears, which are lubricating eyedrops that may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling and foreign body sensation of dry eye. Prescription eye drops for dry eye go one step further: they help increase your tear production.

If you wear contact lenses, be aware that many artificial tears cannot be used during contact lens wear. You may need to remove your lenses before using the drops. Wait 15 minutes or longer (check the label) before reinserting them. For mild dry eye, contact lens rewetting drops may be sufficient to make your eyes feel better, but the effect is usually only temporary. Switching to another lens brand could also help.

Check the label, but better yet, check with your doctor before buying any over-the-counter eye drops. Your eye doctor will know which formulas are effective and long-lasting and which are not, as well as which eye drops will work with your contact lenses.

To reduce the effects of sun, wind and dust on dry eyes, wear sunglasses when outdoors. Wraparound styles offer the best protection.

Indoors, an air cleaner can filter out dust and other particles from the air, while a humidifier adds moisture to air that's too dry because of air conditioning or heating.

For more significant cases of dry eye, your eye doctor may recommend punctal plugs. These tiny devices are inserted in ducts in your lids to slow the drainage of tears away from your eyes, thereby keeping your eyes more moist.

Doctors sometimes recommend special nutritional supplements containing certain essential fatty acids to decrease dry eye symptoms. Drinking more water may also relieve symptoms.

If medications are the cause of dry eyes, discontinuing the drug generally resolves the problem. But in this case, the benefits of the drug must be weighed against the side effect of dry eyes. Sometimes switching to a different type of medication alleviates the dry eye symptoms while keeping the needed treatment. In any case, never switch or discontinue your medications without consulting with your doctor first.

Treating any underlying eyelid disease, such as blepharitis, helps as well. This may call for antibiotic or steroid drops, plus frequent eyelid scrubs with an antibacterial shampoo.

If you are considering LASIK, be aware that dry eyes may disqualify you for the surgery, at least until your dry eye condition is successfully treated. Dry eyes increase your risk for poor healing after LASIK, so most surgeons will want to treat the dry eyes first, to ensure a good LASIK outcome. This goes for other types of vision correction surgery, as well.

To read more about the symptoms and causes of dry eyes, visit Your Eye Health.

Source: Dry Eyes Syndrome, article by AllAboutVision.com. ©2009 Access Media Group LLC.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction other than for one-time personal use is strictly prohibited.