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Dry Eye Disease

Puzio Eyecare Associates is the only optometric practice on Cape Cod to offer LipScan, LipiFlow, and IPL Therapy.

Dry eye disease is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. Symptoms range from burning, redness and itching to fluctuating blurred vision. Knowing what leads to dry eyes can help reduce symptoms and treat the underlying cause. At Puzio Eye Care, our doctors specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and will determine the most effective therapy.

Therapies and Technology

We offer a variety of treatments, including the latest in dry eye technology and we are the only optometry practice on Cape Cod to introduce many of these new technologies. These dry eye technologies and treatments we utilize include:

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Machine

IPL therapy is designed to address meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the root cause of evaporative dry eye. By focusing treatment on MGD, your doctor is able to not only offer symptom relief, but also to slow the progression of your chronic dry eye condition. For more on this therapy, please watch this video here:

LipiFlow

This is FDA approved for the treatment of dry eye syndrome caused by MGD. It directly treats the meibomian glands by using a combination of gentle massage and heat to improve the quality of the meibomian gland secretions. LipiFlow is a “dropless” treatment for dry eye and, in many of our patients, avoids the inconvenience of daily eye drops. It’s a safe and painless 12-minute in-office prodecure that doesn’t require any medications.

For more information on Dry Eye and Meibomian glands please refer to this video:

 

 

LipiScan

This is one of the newest and most exciting pieces of technology we offer our dry eye patients. The LipiScan scans the meibomian glands and provides a high-definition image used to determine and diagnose the health of these glands. This revolutionary diagnostic test gives doctors an inside view of the glads and helps determine if this is truly the cause of dry eye.

InflammaDry

This diagnostic tool is used to determine the cause and treatment course for dry eye. It’s a lab test that measure inflammation associated with dry eye disease. This inflammatory marker  is measured to show active inflammation in your tear film. The inflammation breaks down components of your tear film and causes dry eye. If you have the marker you have to be put on medicine or vitamins to control the inflammation.

Slit Lamp Exam

Another way to diagnose dry eye is via an exam using a Slit Lamp and Florisene dye. During this examination a tear break up analysis is done. This tells our doctors how quickly the tear film breaks up.

BlephEx

BlephEx is another treatment used by Puzio Eyecare Associates.  BlephEx is an in-office procedure that removes excess bacteria and biofilm, the main causes of inflammatory dry eye and lid disease.  To learn more about this procedure, just click here. 

Punctual Plugs

A punctum plug, or punctal plug, is an implant that is inserted in the tear duct, or puncta, of the eye. It is intended to block the tear duct and is a treatment for dry eye.

Lubricating Drops

We highly recommend lubricating drops which work to preserve your tear layer and keep your eyes hydrated, thereby decreasing symptoms of dry eye. We carry an assortment of drops in the office so that each patient can leave with the product best fit for their condition.

Lid Cleaner

Lid cleaner works to kill the bacteria that cause inflammation of your eyelids (also known as blepharitis), which is the leading cause of dry eye. Once the bacteria are eliminated, your eyes can resume their natural levels of tear production, ultimately alleviating dry eye.

Bruder Mask

BRUDER Moist Heat Eye Compress opens oil glands and allows natural oils to flow back into the eye…relieving discomfort from aging, contact lenses, use of digital devices, and more. The compress helps stabilize the tear film, improves oil gland function, and slows tear evaporation. Properly hydrated and lubricated eyes can expel bacteria and debris more efficiently so that your eyes will feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Omega-3 Vitamins

Nutritional supplementation has become a well-accepted therapy for dry eye.  Numerous studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids contained in supplements decrease dry eye symptoms, positively impacting meibomian gland secretion, and also possess anti-inflammatory effects.  These dry eye supplements provide patients with nutrients that many Americans lack in their everyday diet. These nutrients not only promote tear production, but also promote healthy immune and brain function.

Xiidra

Xiidra is a revolutionary medication that helps reduce the inflammation associated with dry eye syndrome. This prescription drop was formulated for treating both symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.  In 2016, Xiidra became the first medication to be approved by the FDA for dry eye syndrome in over ten years. 

Restasis

RESTASIS® and RESTASIS MultiDose® Ophthalmic Emulsion help increase your eyes’ natural ability to produce tears, which may be reduced by inflammation due to chronic dry eye.

Make dry eye a thing of the past. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.