By Dr. Jeff Broadhead, Optometrist
Progressive Eye Care, South Jordan, Utah
Dry eye is a significant challenge for many people, especially in the dry climate of Utah.
10 Common Symptoms of Dry Eye Include
Here are 10 common symptoms of Dry Eye Disease
●Stinging or Burning Sensation
●Redness and Inflammation
●Sensitivity to Light
●Eye Fatigue
●Blurry Vision
●Excessive Tearing
●Feeling of Something in the Eye
●Difficulty Wearing Contact Lenses
●Mucus Discharge
●Difficulty with Night Vision
These symptoms can vary in severity and may worsen in certain conditions, such as in windy or dry environments, or after prolonged screen use.
Eye Drops Are Only Somewhat Helpful
If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you may have tried to treat your dry eyes with over-the-counter eye drops. Lubricating eye drops serve an important purpose, yet they only treat symptoms. They offer no cure. In some ways lubricating dry eye eye drops are like a liquid bandaid, that only works until it is blinked away. Wouldn’t it be better to treat the source of the problem and not just manage symptoms?
The Real Problem is MGD; The Solution is Tear Restoration Therapy; The Time to Act is Now
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a common eye condition where the tiny glands in your eyelids, which help keep your eyes moist, don’t work properly. These glands (meibomian glands) are supposed to produce oils that mix with your tears to keep them from evaporating too quickly. When they don’t produce enough oil or get blocked, your tears dry up faster, leading to dry, irritated eyes.
If not treated properly, MGD gets worse with time, eventually leading to atrophy or loss of the glands. Chronic dry eye can be challenging to manage once meibomian gland function is compromised.
The solution to today’s dry eye symptoms, and to protect your eyes for the future is Tear Restoration Therapy.
3 Key Steps of Tear Restoration Therapy
While home remedies such as hot packs and lid massage can help in some cases, most patients with significant MGD Dry Eye respond best to in-office treatments directed and followed up by an eye doctor.
Our patient’s best results by combining THREE IMPORTANT STEPS:
●Eyelid Microexfoliation removes biofilm and debris at the openings of the meibomian glands.
●Meibomian Gland Rejuvenation heats and softens the oils inside the glands and heals inflammation.
●Meibomian Gland Expression helps unblock and release built-up hardened meibum allowing the oils to flow freely, restoring proper tear function.
Detailed Explanation of the 3 Steps of Tear Restoration Therapy
STEP 1: Eyelid microexfoliation with the ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) offers several benefits for individuals suffering from dry eye:
●Removal of Debris and Biofilm: The ZEST treatment effectively removes debris, oil, dead skin cells, and biofilm from the eyelid margins and lash lines. This thorough cleaning helps to reduce the load of bacteria and other microorganisms that can contribute to inflammation and exacerbate dry eye symptoms.
●Improved Meibomian Gland Function: By clearing blockages and buildup around the meibomian glands, ZEST promotes better gland function and oil secretion.
●Reduction of Inflammation and Irritation: The exfoliation process helps to alleviate inflammation and irritation. Removing irritants from the eyelid margins decreases the inflammatory response, leading to more comfortable eyes and reduced symptoms of dryness and redness.
These benefits make the ZEST treatment an effective FIRST STEP in managing dry eye and maintaining ocular surface health.
STEP 2: Meibomian Gland Rejuvenation using one or more of the following can help restore the quality of your tears.
●Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
●Radio Frequency (RF) Therapy
●LLLT or Red Light Therapy
Patients may be better suited for one type of therapy over another based on skin type or other factors. All three methods are non-invasive and almost universally well tolerated.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy treats dry eyes, particularly those associated with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), through several mechanisms:
●Reduction of Inflammation: IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target and reduce inflammation in the eyelids and surrounding areas. The light pulses penetrate the skin, where they are absorbed by blood vessels and pigmented structures. This process helps to close abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation, thereby reducing the overall inflammatory response in the eyelids and ocular surface.
●Meibomian Gland Stimulation and Clearance: The heat generated by IPL therapy helps to melt and liquefy the thickened meibum (oil) within the meibomian glands. This facilitates the expression of these oils during subsequent gland massage, clearing blockages and allowing the glands to function more effectively. Improved gland function results in a better quality lipid layer of the tear film, reducing tear evaporation and alleviating dry eye symptoms.
●Reduction of Demodex Mites and Bacterial Load: IPL therapy also has a photothermal effect that can reduce the population of Demodex mites, which are often found on the eyelids and can contribute to inflammation and MGD. Additionally, the light pulses can decrease the bacterial load on the eyelids, further reducing factors that contribute to eyelid inflammation and dysfunction.
●Additional Skin Rejuvenation Benefits. IPL therapy is also helpful for removing age spots and tightening skin. Our technicians are trained to apply IPL to the skin of the face for additional cosmetic benefits.
Radio Frequency (RF). RF Therapy treats dry eyes, through the following mechanisms:
●Controlled Heating of the Eyelids: RF therapy uses electromagnetic waves to generate controlled heat in the deeper layers of the skin and tissues around the eyelids. This heat is precisely targeted to the meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oily layer of the tear film.
●Melting and Expressing Thickened Meibum: The heat from RF therapy helps to liquefy the thickened meibum (oil) within the meibomian glands. This melting process facilitates the expression of the clogged oils, clearing blockages and allowing the glands to secrete oils more effectively. This helps to restore the natural lipid layer of the tear film, preventing rapid tear evaporation and improving tear stability.
●Reducing Inflammation: The thermal effect of RF therapy also reduces inflammation in the eyelid area. Heat promotes better blood circulation, which can help to clear inflammatory mediators and reduce swelling. Lower inflammation levels contribute to a healthier ocular surface and less irritation, addressing one of the underlying causes of dry eye symptoms.
●Stimulating Collagen Production: RF therapy can stimulate the production of collagen in the skin and tissues around the eyelids. Improved collagen production helps to support the structural integrity of the eyelids and meibomian glands, promoting long-term gland health and function.
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) or Red Light Therapy treats dry eye, particularly Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), through several key mechanisms:
●Reduction of Inflammation: LLLT uses specific wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and tissues. This light energy is absorbed by cellular components, leading to a reduction in inflammatory markers and an overall decrease in inflammation. By lowering inflammation in the eyelids and ocular surface, LLLT helps alleviate one of the primary causes of dry eye symptoms.
●Improved Meibomian Gland Function: The light energy from LLLT helps to stimulate and enhance the function of the meibomian glands. It promotes better blood circulation and metabolic activity in the glandular tissues, which can help to unclog the glands and improve the quality and flow of the meibum (oil) they produce. This results in a more stable and effective tear film, reducing tear evaporation and dryness.
●Cellular Repair and Regeneration: LLLT promotes cellular repair and regeneration by stimulating mitochondrial activity and increasing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production. This boost in cellular energy supports the healing and regeneration of damaged tissues in the eyelids and meibomian glands, contributing to improved gland health and function over time.
●Pain Relief and Tissue Relaxation: The therapeutic effects of LLLT also include pain relief and muscle relaxation, which can help reduce discomfort associated with dry eye and MGD. By easing muscle tension and promoting tissue relaxation, LLLT contributes to overall eye comfort and symptom relief.
Step 3: Meibomian Gland Expression
Meibomian gland expression is a procedure used to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). During this procedure, an eye care professional applies gentle pressure to the eyelids to squeeze out the blocked or thickened oils (meibum) from the meibomian glands. This procedure works best when the lids have already been treated with Meibomian Gland Rejuvenation techniques such as IPL, RF and LLLT therapies, which soften the oils in the meibomian glands, making them easier to express and blockages easier to remove by expression.
Remember the Goal
The goal of Tear Restoration Therapy is to help you achieve clear vision and comfortable eyes by restoring your body’s natural eyelid function.
Tear Restoration Therapy’s 3-Step-Process works together to help enjoy:
●Clear Comfortable Vision
●Decreased Dependence on Artificial Tears
●Improved Meibomian Gland Function
●Reduction of Inflammation
●Non-invasive and Long-lasting Relief of Dry Eye Symptoms
This therapy really works!
Our team will be happy to help you learn more about the right combination of Tear Restoration Therapies for your individual needs and goals.
Progressive Eye Care, LLC
10654 S River Heights Drive, Ste 110
South Jordan UT 84095
801-676-2020
www.progressive-eyecare.net
© Progressive Eye Care, LLC 2024
