Dry Eye Treatment

*According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Although it can take up to several weeks to experience the full results of your treatment, most patients at Choate Eye Associates experience almost immediate relief from their symptoms. By addressing the source of your dry eye, you can experience: 

• Reduced redness 
• Improved comfort 
• Clearer vision 
• Restored ability to wear contact lenses 
• Less tearing or watering 

Improving these areas of your life can help enhance your overall well-being and quality of life. 

To minimize your risk of experiencing dry eyes in the future, it is important to attend your yearly routine eye exams. During these exams, Dr. Choate can evaluate the success of your treatment and determine whether any modifications are necessary. 

There are also lifestyle changes that have been shown to help dry eye syndrome, including: 

• Getting more sleep
• Staying hydrated 
• Quitting smoking 
• Eating a nutritious, balanced diet
• Resting your eyes between phone and computer use 

As an advanced dry eye center, Choate Eye Associates is proud to offer the latest dry eye screening technology. 

• Slit lamp exam: This microscope allows Dr. Choate to closely examine the front and inside of your eyes and identify dry eye and other diseases. Using this tool, he can also perform anterior segment photography to clearly visualize your condition. 
• Schirmer's test: This dry eye test evaluates your tears. During the exam, Dr. Choate will place a small strip of paper inside your eyelid to observe your tear production. 
• LipiScan: This system uses infrared technology to produce high-resolution images of the meibomian glands. The glands help produce healthy tears, and Dr. Choate may use this method to determine if they are blocked or otherwise not functioning properly. 

By using an array of tools, we can prescribe the most effective treatment possible for your unique needs. 

There are a variety of solutions available for dry eye, and our team can design an effective treatment plan based entirely on your diagnosis. Our current regimens include: 

• Prescription drugs such as RESTASIS®, Xiidra®, Lotemax, or doxycycline
• Antioxidants and fish oil high in EPA/DHA/GLA and astaxanthin
• An anti-inflammatory diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins 
• Staying hydrated 
• Warm compresses such as the BRUDER® Moist Heat Eye Compress 
• Antibiotic lid scrubs such as OCuSOFT® 
• Blinking exercises
• Artificial tears including SYSTANE® ULTRA, SYSTANE BALANCE, SYSTANE Preservative-Free, SYSTANE Gel Drops, SYSTANE Nighttime Ointment, REFRESH® OPTIVE, REFRESH OPTIVE Advanced Preservative-Free, REFRESH Liquigel, and REFRESH Lacri-lube Ointment
• LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System 
• ThermiEyes

In addition to testing, we will decide which treatment is recommended based on the severity of the symptoms we observe during your clinical observation.