Dry eye can be extremely uncomfortable and, if left untreated, can lead to permanent damage. Dry eye occurs when our eyes are unable to produce enough tears to keep our eyes lubricated, or the tears they do produce are poor-quality and evaporate too quickly.
Our tears are designed to keep our eyes lubricated. To do this, they need to be able to smoothly spread out over the surface of the eye and form a thin film, called the tear film. The tear film consists of 3 layers: the oil layer, the water layer, and the mucus layer.
The oils in the oil layer are produced by the meibomian glands, which prevent the tears from evaporating too quickly. The water layer is responsible for cleaning the eye, and the mucus layer keeps our eyes moist by helping ensure the tear film spreads out evenly over the surface of the eye.
We offer several treatments to give you some relief from the symptoms of dry eye.
Dry eye can be caused by a lack of essential nutrients and minerals. To help ensure your eyes are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, we may suggest foods or supplements you can add to your diet.
Please request an appointment so we can discuss what will work best for you!
We may recommend various Oasis products designed to maintain eye moisture and relieve symptoms of dry eyes. These include:
Punctal plugs are small silicone inserts that are placed within the tear ducts to prevent tears from draining too quickly, improving tear retention.
LipiScan is a new technology that allows us to scan your meibomian glands to see if they need treatment. LipiFlow is a device that involves heat and massage to promote meibomian gland secretion and improve tear quality.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
TearCare is a wearable, software-controlled technology, similar to a high-tech warm compress. It is fully customizable and allows your optometrist to provide tailored delivery of electrothermal energy to the meibomian glands.
The heat allows for blockages in the meibomian glands to liquefy, which can then be expressed by an optometrist.
Components of TearCare include a flexible pair of eyelid devices. These conform to each patient’s unique anatomy, providing sustained thermal treatment. The device is soft and lightweight and your eyes can behave naturally while wearing it.
TearCare works with the eye’s natural blinking force to clear the meibomian glands of any obstructions. Unobstructed glands allow for the production of your tear film’s oil layer, which prevents tears from evaporating too quickly.
North Tustin Ave Optometric Center
La Paz Optometric Center
Mission Viejo Optometric Center
