Solution

Once your eye doctor understands what may be triggering your dry eye symptoms, he or she can consider any combination of treatments for effective relief based on your individual dry eye diagnosis. Here are a few possibilities to consider asking your doctor about:

DAILY EYELID & LASH HYGIENE

Start an eye care regimen. Daily hygiene not only applies to your mouth; it also applies to your eyes. Take care of your eyelids and the delicate skin around them by using a hydrating gel cleanser daily. Lids, lashes and skin get moisturized using a gel cleanser like Oasis LID & LASH®, which increases the skins moisture in two weeks by up to 20% according to a third party testing facility using a Corneometer (a tool to measure skins moisture retention). Ask your eye doctor where eye lid hygiene may be a benefit.

WARM COMPRESS

Warm compresses bring relief to your dry eye because of the loosening of the oils in the Meibomian glands located in and around your lids. These glands are what produce the oils (lipids) that get released with each blink and blanket the surface of your tear film. These oils also help to retain the water layer and prevent tear evaporation. Some doctors will recommend holding a warm wash cloth to your closed eye lids, however it may be that the heat doesn’t last long enough. There are compresses or soft cotton cloth eye mask filled with beads that conform to your eyes and orbital bones and hold heat along with compression. These eye masks can be used per your doctor’s recommendation

PRESERVATIVE-FREE LUBRICANT EYE DROPS

Lubricant eye drops are artificial tears that replace the moisture that is lost on your eyes surface. The viscousness of artificial tears such as Oasis TEARS® PLUS and Oasis TEARS® lubricate the eyes to relieve the gritty dry sensations that cause irritation. Doctors often recommend preservative-free artificial tears such as these. Oasis TEARS® can be used as needed to relieve dry eye symptoms.

PUNCTAL PLUGS

Tears drain from your eyes through what is called the puncta and the canal below it called the canaliculous. Punctal plugs comfortably seal the drain, or puncta. This allows your own tears to remain on your eyes for a longer period of time.

Short Term

There are short-term punctal plugs that dissolve in 3-5 days.

Medium Term

Medium term or extended duration Punctal Plugs dissolve in up to 3 months or up to 6 months.

These dissolvable plugs sit inside the canaliculus and therefore are not visible.

Long Term

If a patient prefers that their long-term plugs not be visible, then consider plugs made from hydrogel, a soft gelatinous material. These sit within the canaliculous clear from view.

The traditional long term silicone punctal plug has a cap and anchor design. The silicone plugs have a slightly visible cap exposed over the puncta and an anchor that sits within the canaliculous to prevent, or reduce, the draining of tears.

Punctal plugs come in different sizes so it takes a few minutes for placement and they are easily removed if necessary.

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