Tampa, FL
Dry Eye Evaluation
Tampa, FL
Dry Eye Evaluation
Find Relief From Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry Eye Evaluation, Tampa, FL
Dry eye is a common condition, but it can have a significant impact on your daily life, affecting everything from your vision to your ability to concentrate. At I-Care Optical in Tampa, Florida, our skilled eye doctor Dr. Neil Patel specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye to give you the relief you deserve.
What are the symptoms of dry eye disease?
The most common symptoms of dry eyes include:
- A gritty or sandy sensation in the eyes
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Redness, itchiness, and soreness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive tearing
- Eye fatigue
- Mucus around the eyes
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with us for an evaluation. Our eye doctor can perform an eye exam to determine the severity of your dry eyes and recommend treatment options.
What causes dry eye?
To effectively treat dry eye disease, it’s important to understand what’s causing it. That’s why it’s crucial to get a personalized evaluation if you’re experiencing any symptoms. Here are some of the most common causes of dry eye:
Aging
As we age, our tear production decreases and the quality of our tears changes. Most people over age 65 experience some symptoms of dry eyes.
Gender
Dry eye is more common in women than men due to hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause and from using oral contraceptives.
Digital eye strain
When people spend long hours in front of a computer screen or other digital device, their blink rate decreases, resulting in dry eye symptoms.
Certain medical conditions
Having certain medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases can increase your risk of developing dry eye.
Medications
Certain medications, such as antihistamines and antidepressants, can cause dry eyes as a side effect.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors like wind, sun, air conditioning, and living in dry environments can also cause dry eye.
Meibomian gland dysfunction
The meibomian glands are tiny glands located inside the eyelids that produce oil to keep tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands get blocked and are not functioning properly, it can cause a range of symptoms, including dry eye.
Demodex mites
Demodex mites are microscopic creatures that live on our skin and hair follicles. Having a small population of Demodex mites on our skin is normal, but an overgrowth can cause various skin and eye problems, including dry eye. Having too many Demodex mites on your eyelashes can clog your meibomian glands, resulting in dry eye symptoms.
Cosmetics
Cosmetic products like mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow are often made with chemicals and preservatives that can irritate the eyes. These ingredients can disrupt the tear film, which is a thin layer of fluid that coats the surface of the eye and keeps it moist and lubricated. When the tear film is disrupted, the eyes can become dry, red, and irritated.
In addition to irritating ingredients, some cosmetics can also block the tiny glands in your eyelids that produce the oily layer of the tear film. This can lead to a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which is a common cause of dry eye symptoms.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation, redness, and swelling of the eyelids. It can affect one or both eyes and can make them feel itchy, irritated, or like they’re burning. Some people may also notice flaking or crusting of their eyelashes.
Blepharitis can make existing dry eye symptoms worse. When the eyelids become inflamed, the meibomian glands, which produce oil to keep the eyes lubricated, may become blocked or not function properly. This can result in dry, gritty, or burning eyes due to reduced tear quality and quantity.
Evaluation for dry eye disease
Dr. Patel uses state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to assess patients for dry eye disease. If you’re having symptoms, he can diagnose dry eye and find the underlying cause for your particular case. One of the tests we use to accurately diagnose dry eye is called meibography.
Learn more about meibography
Meibography is an advanced imaging technology that provides a clear picture of the meibomian glands. These glands are responsible for secreting oils to lubricate the eye’s surface. If these glands aren’t working properly, dry eye can occur. Meibography uses infrared light to capture detailed images of the meibomian glands, allowing our eye doctor to see any blockages or inflammation.
Not only can meibography help diagnose dry eye, but it can also help keep track of how the condition is progressing and how well the treatment is working. By taking regular meibography images over time, our doctor can see if your treatment plan is effective and adjust it as needed to make sure you’re getting the best care possible.
Relieve Dry, Itchy Eyes
Treatment for dry eye disease
Treatment for dry eye disease varies depending on its underlying causes. That’s why we develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. While dry eye can be a chronic condition, our goal is to provide treatments that support eye health, alleviate dryness and discomfort, and prevent vision loss.
Some common treatment options we offer include:
- Prescription eye drops to combat inflammation
- Treating oil glands
- Punctal plugs
- Blinking exercises or proper eyelid hygiene
- If an infection is causing the issue, low-dose antibiotics may also be prescribed.
We also offer the following treatments for dry eye in our Tampa office:
MiBo Thermoflo
MiBo Thermoflo treatment uses gentle heat and massage to unclog blocked meibomian glands, providing long-lasting relief from dry eye.
Eterna™
Eterna™ not only helps treat dry eye symptoms but also offers anti-aging benefits such as tightening loose skin.Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses create a tear-filled reservoir over the cornea, keeping the eyes comfortable and moist and relieving dry eye symptoms.
Advanced Solutions For Dry Eye
Schedule an eye exam in Tampa
Don’t let dry eye syndrome affect your quality of life. Our dedicated team at I-Care Optical provides a range of treatments and personalized care to meet your unique needs. Whether your dry eye symptoms are mild or severe, we are here to help you find relief and improve your overall eye health. Contact us today to schedule a dry eye evaluation at our Tampa office.
Services at I-Care Optical
Eye Exams
We customize our eye exams to fit your specific needs. Whether you're looking for an eye exam, contact lenses, or pediatric eye care, you can trust you’re in capable hands.
Specialty Eye Care
At I-Care Optical, we’re here to meet all your eye care needs, from managing chronic eye diseases to treating everyday eye discomforts.
Optical Boutique
We offer a full range of designer frames, lenses, and sunglasses for adults and the little ones as well. For contact lens wearers, we have a variety of contact lenses to choose from.