Dry Eye Treatment

Do your eyes often feel dry, irritated, or fatigued? Dry eye disease is a common condition that affects millions of people, making everyday activities like reading, driving, or using digital screens uncomfortable. At Texas State Optical Mansfield, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating dry eye, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to address the root cause of your symptoms.
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What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye, or dry eye disease (DED), occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is inadequate to keep the eye’s surface properly lubricated. This condition can cause discomfort, irritation, and vision disturbances, affecting daily activities such as reading, driving, or working on digital screens.

Dry eye disease is generally classified into two main types:

• Evaporative Dry Eye (EDE): This occurs when the tears evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—a blockage or dysfunction in the oil-producing glands in the eyelids. Without a stable lipid layer, tears evaporate rapidly, leading to dryness and irritation.

• Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye (ADDE): This happens when the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough watery (aqueous) tears to keep the eyes adequately hydrated. Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome are common culprits of this condition.

Many patients experience a combination of evaporative and aqueous-deficient dry eye, making comprehensive diagnosis and treatment essential.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Several factors contribute to dry eye disease, including:

• Aging: Tear production naturally decreases with age.

• Digital Eye Strain: Prolonged screen use reduces blink rates, leading to tear film instability.

• Environmental Conditions: Exposure to wind, smoke, or dry air can accelerate tear evaporation.

• Contact Lens Wear: Long-term use of contact lenses can disrupt the tear film and contribute to dryness.

• Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, and certain blood pressure medications can reduce tear production.

• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can impair tear production.

• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations due to pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disorders can affect tear quality.
  
  

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include:

• Persistent eye irritation or burning

• Redness and inflammation

• A gritty or sandy feeling in the eyes

• Watery eyes

• Blurred vision or fluctuating clarity

• Light sensitivity

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

If left untreated, chronic dry eye can lead to corneal damage and vision complications, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosing Dry Eye

We use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to pinpoint the underlying cause of dry eye and create a personalized treatment plan. Our comprehensive evaluations include Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) to measure how quickly tears evaporate and Meibography, which utilizes imaging technology to examine the health of the meibomian glands. We also perform Fluorescein Staining to detect dry spots or corneal damage. By analyzing these factors, we can determine whether a patient has evaporative dry eye, aqueous deficient dry eye, or a combination of both, ensuring we develop the most effective treatment strategy for long-term relief.

At Texas State Optical Mansfield, we offer a customized approach to dry eye management. Depending on your condition’s severity, we may recommend one or a combination of the following treatments:

Prescription Eye Drops

For patients with moderate to severe dry eye, we may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops designed to reduce irritation, improve tear quality, and enhance overall eye hydration. These specialized medications work by addressing underlying inflammation, promoting natural tear production, and stabilizing the tear film, helping to prevent excessive evaporation and dryness. When used consistently as part of a comprehensive dry eye treatment plan, these drops can provide long-term relief, helping patients maintain clearer, healthier, and more comfortable vision.

OPTASE® Moist Heat Mask

For patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or evaporative dry eye, the OPTASE® Moist Heat Mask is an effective therapy. This mask:

• Uses moist heat therapy to unclog meibomian glands, allowing natural oil flow to stabilize the tear film.

• Improves tear retention and reduces tear evaporation.

• Provides a comfortable, drug-free way to manage symptoms.

Regular use of the OPTASE® Moist Heat Mask can help improve tear film stability and reduce irritation.

Prokera® and NEOX® FLO Amniotic Tissue Treatment

For severe or chronic dry eye cases, where inflammation and corneal damage have progressed, regenerative medicine can offer a more advanced solution. Prokera® and NEOX® FLO Amniotic Tissue Treatments are groundbreaking therapies that harness the healing properties of amniotic tissue to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

• Prokera® – A biologic corneal bandage made from cryopreserved amniotic membrane that helps reduce inflammation, promote healing, and restore corneal health.

• NEOX® FLO – A flowable amniotic membrane treatment used to help reduce inflammation and repair damaged corneal tissue in severe dry eye cases.

These regenerative therapies are particularly beneficial for patients with corneal damage or chronic inflammation caused by prolonged dry eye disease.

IPL & RF Treatments for Dry Eye

We’re also proud to offer Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radiofrequency (RF) treatments, two advanced solutions for managing evaporative dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): IPL uses gentle light pulses to target and reduce inflammation around the eyelids, improve blood flow, and stimulate healthy oil production in the meibomian glands. This non-invasive treatment helps restore a stable tear film and reduce the need for artificial tears.

• Radiofrequency (RF): RF therapy delivers controlled heat to the eyelids to gently liquefy and release trapped oil in the meibomian glands. It also promotes collagen production, helping tighten the skin around the eyes and improve overall eyelid function. RF is a comfortable, relaxing procedure with long-lasting benefits for tear stability and dry eye relief.

Both IPL and RF are ideal for patients with chronic dry eye due to MGD and can be incorporated into a personalized treatment plan for lasting comfort and clearer vision.

Comprehensive Dry Eye Care at Texas State Optical Mansfield

At Texas State Optical Mansfield, we provide a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to dry eye management. Our experienced optometrists use advanced diagnostic technology and innovative treatment solutions to help relieve symptoms, protect your vision, and improve your overall eye health.

If you’re experiencing persistent eye irritation, burning, or blurred vision, schedule a consultation with Texas State Optical Mansfield to learn more about our personalized dry eye treatment options and how we can help you achieve long-term eye health and relief