Dry eye may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can have a significant impact on your quality of life. From a gritty, scratchy sensation to redness and irritation, this condition can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
While some cases of dry eye are temporary and can be treated with lifestyle changes or home remedies, others are chronic or severe. If you’re struggling with severe dry eye, you may be wondering what the best treatment options are. Fortunately, there are advanced therapies available that can provide long-lasting relief and improve your overall eye health.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including aging, hormonal changes, medications, and environmental factors.
For mild cases of dry eye, natural remedies like blinking exercises, warm compresses, and artificial tears may be enough to provide relief. However, if you have severe dry eye or your symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks of self-treatment, it’s important to visit an eye doctor who specializes in dry eye treatment. If left untreated, severe dry eye can cause damage to the cornea and lead to vision problems.
What is the best treatment for severe dry eye?
The best treatment for severe dry eye depends on the underlying cause. Your eye doctor will carefully evaluate your eyes to figure out what’s causing your dry eye. Once they know the root cause, they can suggest the most suitable treatment to help relieve your symptoms.
At Omaha Primary EyeCare, we offer a range of advanced treatments for severe and chronic dry eye in our Elkhorn office, including LipiFlow®, OptiLight, and BlephEx®. LipiFlow® is a treatment that uses gentle heating and massage to clear blocked tear ducts and stimulate natural tear production. OptiLight intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a specialized light therapy that reduces inflammation and improves your overall eye health. And BlephEx® is a deep cleaning treatment that removes debris and bacteria from your eyelids and lashes that may be contributing to your dry eye.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic dry eye or experiencing symptoms for the first time, we can help you find relief. Schedule an appointment with us today and find out which treatment is best for your unique case.
