Severe Dry Eyes Treatment – Dry Eyes Treatment Guide
Prescription eye drops: Prescription eye drops can help to increase tear production or decrease inflammation. Some common prescription eye drops for dry eye include cyclosporine (Restasis), lifitegrast (Xiidra), and corticosteroids.
In-office procedures: There are a number of in-office procedures that can be used to treat severe dry eye. Some of the most common include:Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs are small inserts that are placed into the tear ducts to block the drainage of tears from the eyes. This can help to keep the eyes more lubricated.
Thermal pulsation therapy: Thermal pulsation therapy is a procedure that uses heat and massage to stimulate the meibomian glands in the eyelids. These glands produce oil that helps to keep the tears from evaporating too quickly.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: IPL therapy uses pulses of light to reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat severe dry eye. For example, if the tear ducts are blocked, surgery may be performed to open them up.
It is important to work with an eye doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Severe dry eye is a chronic condition, so it is important to be patient and consistent with your treatment.
Here are some additional tips for managing severe dry eye:
Avoid dry environments, such as those with air conditioning or heating.
Use a humidifier at home.
Take breaks from computer and phone screens.
Wear sunglasses when outdoors.
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.
If you have any questions or concerns about your severe dry eye, please talk to your eye doctor.