Dry Eye Diagnosis & Treatment
Herndon, VA
Dry eye can have a significant impact on your quality of life. You may find your eyes get tired faster or you have difficulty reading, not to mention the discomfort of a burning sensation or blurry vision. At Beyond Eyecare, Dr. Khaldieh can determine the underlying cause of your dry eyes and recommend treatment—from simple self-care to innovative prescriptions and therapies—to help you see clearly and comfortably.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye occurs when a person doesn’t have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of poor quality. Tears reduce eye infections, wash away irritants, and keep the eye’s surface smooth and clear. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, especially in adults. Some people with dry eye may not experience noticeable symptoms. If you suffer from dry eye, treatment is necessary to ensure you see clearly and consistently.
Preventive self-care
Dr. Khaldieh starts with a holistic approach to address your dry eye symptoms. He will assess your condition, recommend appropriate treatments, and provide personalized guidance on how to effectively manage and relieve dry eye symptoms. Here are a few simple self-care options that can help manage minor cases of dry eye:
- Blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for a long time.
- Make sure there’s adequate humidity in the air at work and home.
- Wear sunglasses outside to reduce sun and wind exposure. Quality sunglasses are necessary.
- Take supplements with nutrients such as omega-3 as these may decrease dry eye symptoms. At Beyond Eyecare, we sell high-quality omega-3 supplements that are more effective than those found at the drugstore.
- Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- If any of your prescriptions cause dry eye as a side effect, we can work with your healthcare provider to come up with the best treatment options for you.
- Maintain clean and healthy eyelids by using lid scrubs, which are specialty cleansers available at our office.
Artificial tears
For mild cases of dry eyes, the best option is over-the-counter eye drops. Here are a few tips for selecting the right one:
- Choose eye drops with no preservatives.
- Keep your eye on the expiration date.
- Avoid eye drops that claim to reduce redness (this constricts blood vessels).
- As brands often change what they put into their products, ask Dr. Khaldieh about his current recommendations.
- Low viscosity – These artificial tears are watery. They often provide quick relief with little or no blurring of your vision, but their effect can be brief, and sometimes you must use these drops frequently to get adequate relief.
- High viscosity – These are more gel-like and provide longer-lasting lubrication. However, these drops can cause significant blurring of your vision for several minutes. For this reason, it is recommended to use high-viscosity artificial tears at bedtime.
Diagnosing dry eye
The only solution for long-lasting relief is diagnosis and professional treatment. At Beyond Eyecare, Dr. Khaldieh will perform a thorough examination to diagnose the underlying cause of your dry eyes. This may include measuring tear production, assessing tear film stability, and evaluating the health of your eyelids and cornea. We may also use non-invasive infrared technology called meibography to assess the function of your oil producing glands, which are not visible to the naked eye.
Meibography
This imaging technology allows Dr. Khaldieh to visualize the oil-producing glands in your eyelids (the meibomian glands) to see whether they are blocked. Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the leading causes of dry eyes.
Prescription dry eye treatments in Herndon
If these don’t work for you, Dr. Khaldieh can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable. He has many treatment options that can fit your needs and lifestyle.
Artificial tears and warm compresses
We sell artificial tears and warm compresses in our office. These treatments help keep your eyes comfortable and lubricated.
Contact lenses
Antibiotics
In some cases, antibiotics can help relieve inflammation and improve the functioning of the oil glands in your eyelids.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
These eye drops help relieve inflammation on the surface of your eyes.
Eye inserts
You place these small inserts between your lower eyelid and your eye once a day. It slowly dissolves and keeps your eye moist.
Tear-stimulating drugs
These medications help increase tear production and are available as pills, gels, or eye drops.
Autologous blood serum drops
Autologous blood serum drops are eye drops made from your own blood. They help heal your eyes and improve dryness.
Dry eye procedures
In mild cases of dry eye, traditional treatments such as artificial tears can help manage symptoms. However, for some patients, these treatments may not provide long-lasting relief. In these situations, Dr. Khaldieh will want to thoroughly examine your eyes to determine the best treatment for your unique needs. He may suggest in-office procedures such as:
Punctal plugs
These tiny silicone plugs help your tears stay in your eyes longer, keeping your eyes better moisturized and more comfortable.
Amniotic membrane therapy
We offer amniotic membrane therapy as a safe, non-surgical solution for patients who don’t respond to other treatment options. Amniotic membrane has natural substances that help repair damage on the surface of your eyes.
Schedule a dry eye exam in Herndon
You don’t have to suffer from the symptoms of dry eye. Talk to our optometrist about dry eye treatment options designed to address the underlying cause of your condition. Schedule an appointment online or contact our office today to book a dry eye exam in Herndon.