Dry Eye Treatment

What Is Dry Eye Treatment?

Most people may sometimes experience dry, itchy eyes, but if it lasts for a long time or happens often, you might have dry eye syndrome. This highly common condition is due to a lack of tears (or lubrication within the tears), which could be caused by an underlying illness, various prescription drugs, or behavioral factors. Tears are vital to the overall health of the eyes so if your eyes fail to produce tears, it can cause severe irritation of the eyes, as well as hazy vision. At Capstone Vision & Aesthetics, Dr. Leslie Emmert-Buck and her team of vision specialists provide several solutions, including iLux and IPL for dry eyes. Our team will conduct a complete eye exam to correctly identify your dry eye symptoms and confirm whether an underlying illness is causing the condition. To learn more about our dry eye treatments, arrange a visit with us at our Auburn Hills, MI office.

How Does Dry Eye Treatment Work?

Many patients with mild cases of dry eye can lessen their discomfort with prescription or nonprescription artificial tears. These eye drops can supplement your natural tears. If your dry eyes are more complicated, we may suggest the iLux treatment. In 15 minutes, the iLux handheld device warms and massages the meibomian glands in the eyelids to promote improved natural tear production.

Our team also uses intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). By employing Harmony® XL PRO technology from Alma Lasers, pulses of light energy from this innovative light-based therapy target and treat abnormal blood vessels associated with chronic inflammation of the eyelid (rosacea or ocular rosacea), improving gland function and a healthier tear film.

What to Expect After Dry Eye Treatment

After undergoing dry eye treatment, patients can expect to experience relief from symptoms such as dryness, burning, and irritation in the eyes. Depending on the severity of the condition, it may take some time for the full effects to be felt. It's important to follow any post-treatment instructions given by your eye care professionals to ensure optimal results.

In addition to improved comfort and reduced symptoms, patients in Auburn Hills, MI, can also expect long-term benefits when working with our team. Because Dr. Emmert-Buck targets the root cause of dry eyes, we can help prevent future flare-ups and allow for healthier tear production in the long run.

What Are the Benefits of Dry Eye Treatment?

Dry eye treatments, like iLux and IPL, target the meibomian glands in the eyelids that produce poor quality or insufficient oil or meibum to soothe the tear film. The benefits of dry eye treatments at our Auburn Hills, MI practice include:

• Targeted treatment
• Reduced inflammation
• Controlled therapeutic heat application
• Improved meibomian gland function
• Long-term relief

Who Is a Candidate for Dry Eye Treatment?

Individuals experiencing persistent symptoms such as dryness, burning, itching, or a gritty sensation in their eyes may be candidates for dry eye treatment. Common causes include environmental factors like dry climates and prolonged screen use, medical conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, certain medications that reduce tear production, and age-related decline in tear gland function. If these symptoms are ongoing, consulting an eye care professional can help determine suitable treatments, including artificial tears, prescription medications, or procedures to enhance tear production and quality.