Dry Eye Diagnosis & Treatment

We offer dry eye diagnosis and treatment at both our Fort Myers and Cape Coral locations. Because dry eye is related to age, medication usage, tear film and tear composition, treatment is often multi-faceted.  It can include adding supplements into your routine, improved lid hygiene and tear preservation therapies.  Your best first step is to schedule a dry-eye evaluation with any of our ophthalmologists or optometrists.

How is Dry Eye Syndrome Diagnosed?

Dry eye syndrome is an ocular surface disease that can affect a patient’s quality of vision and overall ocular comfort. A comprehensive eye exam can help determine whether the symptoms that you are experiencing are related to dry eyes. There are other tools available to help diagnose and treat this common condition.

 

How is Dry Eye Treated?

Eye drops formulated to mimic your natural tears may be used to lubricate the eyes and help maintain moisture. These are available without a prescription. There are also prescription eye drops available.  In more severe cases, autologous serum tears may be recommended. These are drops that are formulated by extracting the serum in a patient’s blood. The components of these tears are natural and similar to those in a patient’s natural tear, making them very safe to use.

Another method includes the conservation of tears. Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose. It is possible to close those channels either temporarily or permanently helping conserve your own tears and make artificial tears last longer.

Dry eye disease is treatable and you don’t need to suffer. If you have been diagnosed with dry eyes or if you are concerned you may have dry eyes, please schedule an appointment to discuss your options with one of our doctors.