Dry Eyes and Dry Eye Disease: Treatments

Dry Eyes and Dry Eye Disease are common conditions in Colorado’s dry, windy climate. There are many treatments for dry eye disease. Depending on the cause of the dryness, different modalities — often in combination — can help most patients feel comfortable and protect their eye health.

How Can Dry Eyes and Dry Eye Disease Be Treated?

As there are many causes and my approach to each patient varies, I will outline the most common ways I recommend treating dry eye disease.

Alter Your Environment

• Place humidifiers in your home or workplace to increase the ambient moisture
• Avoid drafts or air from fans, air conditioners, and heaters. This can help decrease the evaporation of your tears.
• Avoid cigarette smoke
• When outside, wear sunglasses or ski goggles to help retain eye moisture
• Wearing contact lenses can wick tears away from your eyes, so decreasing the amount of time you wear your lenses can help

Harmful and Helpful Medications

Some over-the-counter medications can contribute to dry eye disease. The most common are antihistamines, available in both oral and eye-drop forms. Certain prescription medications, such as some that treat hypertension or depression, can also worsen dry eye conditions. Substitute medicines can sometimes be found, but if not, the following forms of therapy can be typically used concurrently with your medications:

Artificial Tears

The most common treatment for dry eye disease consists of non-prescription eye drops that mimic the natural mix of water, oil, and protein in our tears. Some of these drops are better than others. I recommend Refresh Optive and Systane Ultra for most of my patients.

I suggest Soothe Eye Drops. I do not recommend eye drops that “get the red out”, as these can cause other problems. Most drops that come in a bottle contain preservatives and should be used no more than 6 times a day. However, if you require more frequent use, many brands offer a preservative-free variety.

Nighttime eye gels can be beneficial for some patients.

Tear Duct Plugs

Tears flow across the eyes and drain out through small openings in the upper and lower lids into the tear ducts. Punctal or Tear Duct Plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices that are inserted into tear ducts to prevent drainage so that tears remain in the eyes longer. I insert plugs in a painless procedure that typically takes less than a minute. Plugs are completely buried in the tear duct, and patients don’t feel them at all. I commonly recommend plugs that are made of a material that dissolves in three to six months. Another type of silicone plug can last longer but protrudes slightly from the tear ducts and is uncomfortable for some patients.

Prescription Eye Drops

Restasis and Xiidra can increase tear production from the lacrimal gland. The lacrimal glands are paired, almond-shaped glands in each eye that secrete the aqueous layer of the tear film. While some people find these medications helpful, they can be expensive, and it can take weeks or months to know whether they are working.

Additional Measures

In addition to the above treatments, moisture chamber goggles can prevent excessive tear evaporation. Serum tears, a specialized artificial tear made with a person’s own blood components, can also help.

For cases of severe dry eye disease that do not respond to the treatments I’ve described here, I can perform an in-clinic procedure that permanently seals the tear duct openings.

Let’s Talk

If your eyes feel consistently dry, irritated, or watery, it may be time for an evaluation. Donald McCormack provides comprehensive exams to determine whether your symptoms are occasional or related to dry eye disease, along with personalized treatment options. Make an appointment.