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Dry Eye Treatment in Denver, CO

At The Denver Ophthalmology Center, we exceed patient expectations every day in everything we do. No matter what you need from us, our goal is to provide you with the highest quality service, using the most innovative equipment and techniques alongside personalized, compassionate care that always puts our patients first.

To better meet your needs, we’ve expanded our treatment options to include more than just the advanced surgeries we’ve become known for. We also provide effective non-surgical management for chronic eye conditions like dry eye disease.

Dry Eye Disease

What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease is a condition caused by a reduced quality or quantity of tears. A film of tears lubricates the front of the eye, keeping it protected from irritants like dust, sand, and wind, and this tear film also allows the eyelid to slide smoothly across the cornea, the front surface of the eye.

Our tears have three layers: an oily layer produced by the meibomian glands, a watery layer produced by the lacrimal glands, and the mucus layer produced in the conjunctiva. When tear production decreases, or one of these layers becomes unbalanced, it can result in dry, irritated, and unhealthy eyes.

Causes of Dry Eye

​When dry eye is caused by decreased tear production, it’s commonly due to aging, and women tend to be more affected due to the hormonal fluctuations from menopause. Reduced tear production can also result from certain medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy, or medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome. It can also be a temporary side effect of undergoing a refractive eye procedure like LASIK.

When the quality of tears is poor, it can be caused by the meibomian glands becoming clogged, which affects the oily layer of the tears and leads to increased tear evaporation. This can also be caused by conditions like blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction. Reduced blinking during focused activities like computer work and driving, eye allergies, dry or blowing air, or even certain preservatives in eye drops can contribute to the meibomian gland becoming clogged.

Cause of Dry Eye

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

Symptoms of dry eye disease can include:

  • Itchy, stinging, or burning eyes
  • Redness, blurred vision, or eye fatigue
  • Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Foreign body sensation (feeling like something is in the eye)
  • Increased watery tearing

Since many of these symptoms can also be attributed to other conditions, such as allergies, dry eye disease is often misdiagnosed. To determine if you have dry eye disease, our physicians will perform a series of specialized tests that will measure the quality and quantity of your tears.

How Dry Eye is Treated?

If left untreated, dry eye disease can lead to irritation, infection, and eventually permanent damage to the cornea. Luckily, there are several ways to treat dry eye, including eye drops, medications, warm compresses or eye masks, and certain heat treatments and therapies designed to unblock the meibomian glands.

At The DOC, we’re pleased to provide one of the most advanced and effective treatments for dry eye, called TearCare®.

TearCare® Dry Eye Treatment

The TearCare® System delivers heat to the eyelids while still allowing the eyes to blink. Unlike many thermal treatments, the design of the TearCare® system allows it to apply heat to targeted areas, making it more effective than a hot compress. This allows TearCare® to better treat dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis.

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry Eye Relief in Denver, CO

Whether you suspect that you have dry eye disease or are currently seeking a better management solution to treat chronic dry eye, the Denver Ophthalmology Center will work closely with you to provide you with the relief you deserve. Give us a call today at (303) 295-6839 to schedule a dry eye consultation.

What Our Patients Are Saying

About The Denver Ophthalmology Center

“The staff here was wonderful. On top of having to reschedule 2 times and them working with me so kindly, the exam itself was very thorough. I felt really confident in the information I was receiving and the answers to the questions I asked. I would recommend The DOC to everyone.”

 

– J.G.