Dry Eye Relief

Dry, Scratchy, Irritated Eyes? Complete relief starts with OCuSOFT®

Eye irritation can be subtle or extreme ranging from the occasional dry or gritty sensation to ongoing tearing and discharge. Every time you blink, the surface of your eye is protected with a new tear film consisting of three layers, an outer oil layer, middle aqueous layer, and an inner mucin layer. When there is an excess or lack of any of these three layers, a condition called Dry Eye develops. This imbalance in the tear film may directly relate to the eyes or rather, the eyelids where a series of glands (meibomian glands) secrete oils for lubrication and corneal protection. When these glands become clogged, a condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) results.

MGD is the most common cause of Dry Eye and may lead to eyelid inflammation, called Blepharitis. Blepharitis happens when you have too much bacteria on your eyelids at the base of your eyelashes. Having bacteria on your skin is normal, but too much bacteria can cause problems. You can also get blepharitis if the oil glands in your eyelids get clogged or irritated. Blepharitis makes your eyelids red, swollen, irritated, and itchy. It can cause crusty dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes.

There's a lot of overlap among these three conditions, and it's possible to have them all at once. In fact, experts aren't entirely sure what comes first, or exactly how they're connected. It could be that MGD causes inflammation that leads to Dry Eye, or that inflammation from Dry Eye could hurt the meibomian glands resulting in MGD and Blepharitis.

Unfortunately, symptoms are not always noticeable, especially in the early stages, so it is important to have your eyes examined regularly. Being proactive about treatment will help prevent further deterioration and avoid more serious conditions. Only your doctor knows what’s best for you so follow their instructions carefully.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

EYELID CLEANSING

For healthy eyelids, which are important for healthy eyes, practice good eyelid hygiene every day by thoroughly removing excess oil, pollen, makeup, and other debris with an eyelid cleanser. Without proper cleansing, irritated eyelids can lead to inflammatory conditions and dry eyes.

ARTIFICIAL TEARS/EMULSION

By resembling your own natural tears, specifically the aqueous layer of your tear film, artificial tears provide immediate relief of dryness and irritation.

When these types of eye drops are not enough, ophthalmic emulsions (oil and water) provide long-lasting relief by replenishing the oil layer of the tear film, sealing in moisture, and protecting against evaporation.

EYELID SPRAY

For added relief throughout the day, eyelid sprays soothe dryness and irritation while improving the overall comfort of your eyes. Simply close your eyes and spray.

OINTMENT

With a thicker consistency, ointments offer additional lubrication and protection while minimizing the need for frequent instillations. Excellent for nighttime use.

NUTRITION

Therapy with supplements can often resolve Dry Eye problems providing long term relief. A proper balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) offers anti-inflammatory properties that aid in the natural healing of the tear film.

MOIST HEAT THERAPY

The combination of moisture and heat helps unclog glands in the eyelid that produce the oil layer of the tear film and prevent the evaporation of tears.