The Dry Eye Center
At the Dry Eye Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome. With two convenient locations in Elgin and Kildeer, Illinois, our team of experienced eye care professionals is dedicated to helping patients find relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye.
Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that occurs when the eyes are unable to produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, which can lead to a range of symptoms, including redness, itching, burning, and sensitivity to light. Left untreated, dry eye can also lead to damage to the surface of the eye and vision problems.
MORE ABOUT DRY EYE CENTER
Our doctors make sure to provide a comprehensive eye examination to rule out any other possible ocular surface disease and to assess the dry eyes signs and symptoms. In addition to their years of experience in diagnosing dry eyes. Our doctors use high technology testing to assist in their diagnosis.
Tear Osmolarity Testing
During your visit to the Dry Eye Center at Quality Eye Care Clinic, we use the TearLab Osmolarity Test Card to collect a tiny amount of tear fluid directly from the eyelid margin. We then use the TearLab Osmolarity System to provide a quick and simple method for determining tear osmolarity. This process gives our doctors a quantitative numerical value to aid in the diagnosis of dry.
Lipiscan
As a part of dry eye evaluation, we take images of the Meibomian glands in your lids. A quick noninvasive scan will allow our doctors to assess the quality of the gland structure. Also, the doctor will check the function of the gland during the exam to determine the best treatment method for your eyes.
TREATMENT
There are several options for treatment of dry eyes at our dry eye center. These range from healthy supplements and dietary changes to prescription medications.
Another option for patients with dry eyes or blepharitis are some new in-office procedures that allows us to take an active role in the preventing the risk of dry eye and blepharitis, as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
The following is a summary of some of the recommended dry eye treatments done in our office:
WARM COMPRESSES
Warm Compresses is a long traditional home remedy to improve circulation and unclog swollen glands in the eyelids.
Our doctors recommend the use of BRUDER Moist Heat Eye Compress that is easy-to-use and delivers an effective moist heat treatment.
Simply microwave for 20 seconds and apply for 10 minutes to the closed eyes twice daily.
The warm compress helps stabilize the tear film, improves oil gland function, and slows down tear evaporation.Properly hydrated and lubricated eyes can expel bacteria and debris more efficiently so your eyes will feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
If you don’t have the mask, you may use a clean washcloth heated in tolerably warm water from the sink or shower and apply on top of your closed eyes.
MICROBLEPHAROEXFOLIATION DEEP EYE CLEANING
We offer the highest technology to treat Blepharitis.
The BlephEx or AB Max tool works by spinning a medical grade micro-sponge along the eyelid surface, eliminating scruff, bacterial debris, and the biofilm that builds up along the lid and base of the eyelashes, removing bacteria and destroying the environment it thrives in.
Very similar to how a dentist removes plaque and tartar to prevent gingivitis, your eye doctor can now use Microblepharoexfoliation to remove the lid’s biofilm to prevent and treat blepharitis.
With regular treatments, and intermittent at home maintenance, we finally have the ability to treat a previously unsuccessfully treated disease.
LIPIFLOW
LipiFlow® is a treatment device specifically designed for effectively removing blockages from the Meibomian glands, allowing them to properly function and produce the oils that make up the top protective lipid layer of the tear film.
The LipiFlow is the only safe, effective clinical cleared procedure for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).
It is a painless procedure that not a pill, drop or drug can cure.
It is an in-office 12-minute treatment where heat is applied directly to the Meibomian glands on the upper and lower lids (only 10 degrees warmer than your normal body temperature).
The heat effectively melts the keratinized obstruction, and most patients describe as gently massaging of the eye lids.
LipiFlow Efficacy
The FDA results show patients had 3x gland function improvement after a single 12-minute LipiFlow procedure.
90% of patients had significant symptom improvement at their 1st 8 week follow up appointment.
On average their symptoms were cut in half.
Depending on the degree of severity & other contributing factors related to the causes of MGD, patients have had positive treatment efficacy lasting from 12 to 36 months out with
one treatment.
PROKERA AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE
PROKERA is a biologic corneal bandage device made from safe and effective amniotic membrane tissue which has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring properties that help damaged eye surfaces heal.
PROKERA products promote faster and more effective healing of the cornea with less inflammation and scarring, leading to improved clinical outcomes with better vision.
It is the only FDA cleared therapeutic device used by eye doctors to helps restore your cornea and return your eye to a normal, healthy state.
PROKERA is used to heal many ocular conditions, especially keratitis where the cornea is irritated and inflamed.
Patients with keratitis suffer from severe dry eye.
The PROKERA lens is inserted by the eye doctor to sit on the eye, and for optimal healing, it is important that you complete the PROKERA treatment period of 3-5 days.
Your eye doctor may use tape to partially close your eyelid after PROKERA is inserted.
INTENSE PULSED LIGHT THERAPY (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is another advanced treatment for patients with moderate to severe dry eye, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, or meibomian gland dysfunction.
The treatment helps to improve the health of the meibomian glands, which produce the oil that prevents evaporation of the tear film.
SCLERAL LENSES
Scleral lenses are very special new technology contact lenses that provide much better vision to many patients with the comfort like soft lenses.
Another benefit of scleral lenses is that they help in patients with dry eye conditions or ocular surface disease.
The contact lens is filled by preservative-free saline before applying it to the eye; the moist reservoir stay wetting the cornea throughout the day while wearing the lens. Read more...
REGENER-EYES
Regener-Eyes® Ophthalmic Solution is a first in class, natural, biologic ophthalmic solution that is preservative free.
It contains naturally occurring anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, HC-HA/PTX3 (Pentraxin 3) (hyaluronic acid), and Collagen Types I, III, IV, V.
Regener-Eyes has an excellent safety profile and there are no known contraindication.
RADIOFREQUENCY
Radiofrequency (RF) is a technique that stimulates collagen production by safely delivering high frequency electrical currents to the surface of the skin.
The electrical currents generate heat, at a predetermined temperature, to increase collagen growth within the superficial and deeper layers of the skin.
The increase in collagen helps to tighten the skin, resulting in an improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The process is non-invasive, in-office procedure generally takes around 10 to 20 minutes to complete.
When RF is applied to the skin adjacent to the eyes, the heat melts the thick oil secretions clogging the meibomian glands. This enables improved oil flow into the tears.
RF also helps to reduce inflammation around the eyes, which may be contributing to your eye condition.
In addition to the cosmetic effect of RF, it helps alleviate the dry eye symptoms and makes your eyes and skin feel better.
DRY EYES PREVENTION TIPS
Below is a list of steps that you can take to minimize your dry eye syndrome symptoms:
- Use a humidifier at your home.
- Use blue light blockers and anti-glare coatings on your glasses.
- Avoid medications with a side effect of dry eyes.
- Blinking Exercises.
- Healthy diet to include Omega 3.
- Drink more water.
- Avoid smoking..
- Follow 20/20/20 rule where every 20 minutes on electronic, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 ft far away.
- Ask our doctors for special contacts that are designed for dry eye patients like Scleral lenses and soft daily disposable lenses.
