FAQ

  • Dry eyes, medically known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your tear ducts don’t provide adequate tears to effectively lubricate your eyes. This chronic condition usually stems from decreased tear production, increased tear evaporation, or an imbalance in tear composition.

  • You may develop dry eyes due to decreased tear production naturally as you age. But you can also have this uncomfortable condition due to:

    * Regularly staring at a computer screen (computer vision)

    * Chronic diseases, including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis

    * Laser eye surgery

    * Tear gland damage

    
Dry eyes from decreased tear production can even be a side effect of certain medications, particularly allergy medications and decongestants. This is why it’s so important to discuss all medications – including over-the-counter varieties – with your optometrist at Eye Associates of New York .

  • Increased tear evaporation means that you probably have enough tears, but they don’t effectively lubricate your eyes. This can happen due to:

    * Wind, pollution, or dry air

    * Blinking less often

    * Eyelid problems

    
In some cases, increased tear evaporation can stem from both environmental and physical issues, like living in a dry climate and having eyelids that turn out (ectropion).

  • Your tears are made from oil, water, and mucus. But if your oil glands (meibomian glands) become clogged, your tears might not have enough oil to adequately lubricate your eyes. In many cases, your optometrist can get to the root of a tear imbalance and correct the underlying issue, so you can start producing healthy tears.

  • Dry eye issues don’t just leave you with dry, scratchy, red eyes, these complications can lead to other serious issues. Untreated dry eyes can:

    * Increase your risk of eye infections

    * Lead to damage of the surface of your eye

    * Make it difficult to see and perform everyday tasks

    
The sooner you start treatment for dry eyes, the less likely you are to have these serious complications.

  • Yes, we treat red, pink, sore and severe dry eyes.

  • The team of optometrists evaluate your eyes to determine what’s causing your dryness. Depending on the cause, your dry eye treatment can include:

    * Medications to reduce eyelid inflammation

    * Eye drops to minimize cornea inflammation

    * Tear stimulating prescription medications

    * Daily eye inserts to lubricate your eyes

    * Punctal plugs

    
Many dry eye sufferers benefit from punctal plugs. These inserts go right into your tear ducts and block the flow of tears from your eye down into your nose and sinuses. This forces tears, as well as any essential eye drops, to stay on your eyes for longer periods.

  • IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is a treatment for evaporative dry eye related to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and ocular rosacea.

  • IPL works in different ways to treat dry eye.

    •Closing down of abnormal blood vessels: ocular rosacea is a common cause of MGD.  Here, dilated (widened) abnormal blood vessels develop around the eyelid and eyelid margin.  These vessels release chemicals that induce inflammation of the meibomian glands which cause blockages and eventual destruction of the glands.  The energy from the intense pulse of light destroys these abnormal vessels, as the result the source of inflammation is removed.

    •Heating the oils in the meibomian gland: the energy of the IPL causes an increase in skin temperature causing the oils in the glands to melt.  This, in turn, helps to unlock the meibomian glands.

    •IPL changes the cells within the glands: It has been proposed that IPL may change the cells that produce oil with the gland to prevent them from clogging up.

    •IPL increases collagen production, therefore, improving the structure of the eyelids.

    •IPL eradicates Demodex: IPL energy is absorbed by the Demodex mite causing its destruction.  Demodex is often found in MGD and is thought to be a cause of MGD.

    •IPL is thought to suppress proteins responsible for inflammation.

  • Generally, up to 4 treatments are required usually 2 weeks apart.

  • Yes.

  • Following treatment, you will be able to resume your normal activities. You are also advised to wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen to your face, including the skin around your eyes.

  • • Temporary erythema (redness),

    • Temporary itching and oedema (swelling)

  • Your optometrist will also advise you on how to maintain the health of your meibomian glands through supplements, behaviour changes, dietary recommendations and at home treatments.

  • Most patients report improvement in their symptoms after the 3rd session and less dependence on artificial tears to control dry eye. Clinical studies have found that symptoms continue to improve after each treatment, with maximum improvement typically occurring after the fourth treatment session.

    Dr.Menezes will also advise you on how to maintain the health of your meibomian glands through supplements, lifestyle changes, dietary recommendations and at home treatments.

    It is important to note that IPL therapy is not for everyone. The best way to find out if IPL therapy can help relieve your dry eye symptoms is by scheduling a one-on-one consultation with Dr.Menezes. During your consultation, she can evaluate your symptoms in order to recommend the best treatment plan for you.

    Contact us by calling (718) 349-8313 today.