Dry Eye Treatment

Dry Eye Diagnosis and Treatment in Western Maine

Dry eye is an exceptionally common condition that impacts daily comfort and visual clarity for individuals. According to data published by the National Eye Institute, an estimated 16.4 million Americans experience dry eye disease each year.

Top symptoms, such as persistent burning, a gritty sensation, and fluctuating vision, can make routine tasks like reading or working on a computer uncomfortable. At Mountain View EyeCare, we are committed to determining the root cause of your discomfort in order to provide long-lasting relief from your symptoms.

Book your dry eye assessment today and take your first step towards relief.

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What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye, also referred to as ocular surface disease, occurs when the eyes do not receive adequate lubrication from tears.

This condition is caused by an imbalance in the tear film, which is composed of water, oils, and mucus layers. When this system is disrupted, the eyes may produce an insufficient volume of tears or produce poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly, failing to keep the eyes sufficiently moist and protected.

Common Symptoms and Causes of Dry Eye

Symptoms

Dry eye disease can manifest through a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, which often worsen in dry, windy, or smoke-filled environments. Common signs include:

A burning, stinging, or scratching sensation
A gritty or sandy feeling, as if a foreign object is present
Blurred vision that changes when blinking
Redness and general irritation of the surface of the eye
Watery eyes, a reflexive response to dryness from poor-quality tears
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Eye fatigue
Stringy mucus in or around the eyes

Causes

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): This is the most common cause of dry eye disease. The meibomian glands, located within the eyelids, produce the oil layer of the tear film that prevents tears from evaporating. MGD refers to problems with oil production, which can be caused by blockages, inflammation, or damage to the glands.
Blepharitis and Demodex: Blepharitis is the chronic inflammation of the eyelids, frequently driven by an overgrowth of bacteria or Demodex mites along the lash line. Inflammation from blepharitis can clog the oil glands, contributing to dry eye symptoms.
Certain medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, thyroid disorders, and diabetes
Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants
Recent Eye Surgery

How We Diagnose Dry Eye

To provide effective management, we perform a detailed evaluation of your eyes and tear film before designing your treatment plan. This begins with the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire, a standardized assessment tool. This questionnaire helps us better understand the extent and severity of your symptoms.

Then, our optometrists use specialized diagnostic equipment, including a slit lamp examination of tear break-up time. This examination uses a high-magnification microscope to evaluate the eyes’ surface and how long your tear film remains stable before breaking down and evaporating.

We also use meibography, a noninvasive imaging technique that allows our optometrists to look directly at the meibomian glands to check for blockages, shortening, or structural loss.

Evaluating the eyes through these objective tests allows us to determine the precise root cause of your condition to guide successful, targeted treatment plans.

Our Dry Eye Treatments

Appropriate dry eye treatment is determined only after a thorough diagnostic process. Every management plan is tailored to the individual, accounting for their specific symptoms, the determined cause, and their personal preferences.

Treatments may include prescription eye drops, in-office therapies, and nutritional supplements to support eye and tear health, hygiene, and function.

Medicated Eye Drops

Unlike over-the-counter eye drops that only provide temporary, artificial lubrication, medicated eye drops address the underlying mechanisms of dry eye.

These prescription options work by reducing chronic inflammation on the eye’s surface or by actively stimulating the body to produce a greater volume of natural tears.

Meibomian Gland Expression

For individuals with confirmed MGD, meibomian gland expression is an in-office procedure where an eye care professional applies gentle, controlled pressure to the eyelids to clear blockages in the glands.

This physical clearance helps remove hardened oils and debris from the glands, restoring a healthier flow of oil to the tear film.

ZEST Eyelid Exfoliation

ZEST, the Zocular Eyelid System Treatment, is an in-office deep-cleansing procedure for the eyelid margins.

ZEST targets inflammation, blepharitis, and Demodex by clearing away dirt, debris, built-up oils, and bacteria along the lash line using a gentle, natural Zokrex™ okra-based solution.

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices inserted into the puncta (the small drainage ducts in the corners of the eyelids). By safely restricting the drainage of tears, these plugs keep your natural tears on the surface of the eye longer to reduce dryness.

Tear Care

TearCare is an open-eye technology designed to deliver targeted, localized heat therapy directly to the eyelids to combat MGD. This controlled thermal energy liquefies hardened oil within the meibomian glands.

Once the oils are softened, your provider performs a manual expression of the glands to clear out blockages and support healthier gland function.

Nutritional Supplements

We offer specialized EyePromise vitamins to support tear health from the inside out. These professional-grade supplements feature specific combinations of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3, which assist in reducing localized inflammation and supporting the overall quality of your natural tears.

Find Lasting Relief from Dry Eye

Dry eye is a progressive condition, but it can be managed effectively with the right diagnostic insight and therapeutic approach. By identifying the root cause of your symptoms and applying tailored treatments, our team focuses on long-term comfort and eye health.

We encourage you to book an appointment for a comprehensive dry eye assessment to help you find lasting relief from your discomfort.

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