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Dry Eye Care

Woman putting drops into her eye

Living in the Desert Can Be Tough on Your Eyes. Let Us Help.

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common conditions we diagnose and manage here at Arizona Eye Consultants. Dry eye syndrome is also common elsewhere in the country, but in Arizona, it’s particularly widespread because of our harsh desert climate. Dry eyes can be quite uncomfortable, and sometimes, this condition can even result in other adverse health complications. There are multiple treatment options available to you, however, and our skilled doctors, who prioritize patient education, will help you find the best treatment for your unique needs.

Do You Have Dry Eye Syndrome?

It’s well-known that dry eye syndrome causes symptoms such as a burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation in the eyes. Your eyes may feel gritty and uncomfortable.

However, it can also have some lesser-known symptoms, such as the following:
  • Stringy mucus
  • Excessive watering
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Problems wearing contacts or driving at night
  • Blurry vision
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Your Dry Eye Management Options

When you become a patient at Arizona Eye Consultants, you’ll quickly find that our standard of care is different. We bring together some of the best doctors from around the country, all of whom are committed to helping our patients enjoy better health and quality of life. We pride ourselves on thorough patient education because we want your dry eye care plan to be completely tailored to your needs. Your dry eye management options include the following:
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops
  • Prescription eye drops
  • Lacrimal plugs
  • LipiFlow®
When should you choose OTC eye drops vs. prescription ones? Generally, patients with mild dry eye symptoms can benefit from OTC eye drops. However, different OTC products can work in different ways, so it’s still helpful to consult our ophthalmologists regarding the best product for your particular needs. (Hint: Avoid “redness relief” eye drops for dry eyes.) Patients with moderate to severe dry eyes who have already tried OTC eye drops without much success may benefit from prescription products. These can reduce inflammation and lubricate the eyes more effectively.

In some cases, patients may need to try a couple of different treatments before finding the best one for them. Everyone has unique needs, and our doctors will go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction with your dry eye care plan.
Young man looking at a computer screen and rubbing his strained eyes

Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eye Syndrome and Treatment

Dry eyes occur when the tear glands don’t produce enough tears or they can’t produce high-quality tears. There are many possible causes, including certain medications and medical conditions, dry air, air pollution, and excessive usage of electronic devices with screens. (When you stare at a screen for a long time, your blink rate drops in half, which reduces tearing.
You may be tempted to simply grab some OTC eye drops and self-treat your dry eye syndrome, which is understandable. However, you should know that other conditions can sometimes mimic dry eye syndrome. You might actually have conjunctivitis, for example. Our board-certified doctors will give you an accurate diagnosis. In addition, OTC eye drops don’t always work for dry eye patients. You may need a prescription or a procedure to get relief.
Lacrimal plugs, also known as punctal plugs, are devices that are about the size of a grain of rice. One of our clinicians can place these tiny plugs in your tear ducts to prevent your tears from draining out of your eyes, thereby keeping them moist and healthy. Lacrimal plugs are removable. We also offer temporary plugs, which give you a chance to see if this option could be right for you before you decide to get the semi-permanent plugs.
LipiFlow® is an exciting innovation in dry eye care. This procedure is intended for patients who have a particular tear gland dysfunction that causes a deficit in the production of the oil component of tears. These glands can sometimes become blocked. During a LipiFlow® procedure, our doctor will place dome-shaped devices over your eyes, which will emit a gentle heat to the glands to clear away blockages. It feels like an eyelid massage, and it only takes about 12 minutes, with no downtime needed.

Do note that LipiFlow® is not typically covered by insurance companies. However, we do offer alternative payment arrangements, such as CareCredit. We’re pleased to be finance-friendly to better meet the needs of our valued patients.
It can be tempting to procrastinate on getting your dry eyes checked. We know that life gets busy. However, you should know that leaving dry eye syndrome unmanaged can sometimes result in complications. These include eye infections, since tears are essential for protecting the eyes from infection. Severe dry eyes can also result in eye inflammation, corneal ulcers, corneal abrasions, and even vision loss. Plus, this condition negatively affects your quality of life and ability to enjoy daily activities.

Schedule an Appointment for Dry Eye Management Today

Don’t wait any longer to take care of your dry, itchy eyes, as this will only lower your quality of life and negatively affect your vision health. Contact Arizona Eye Consultants today to request an appointment for dry eye care. We offer a free consult to evaluate you for dry eye syndrome.

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