Elaina Moyshelis, OD
Optometry located in Linden, NJ
Dr Moyshelis's Thoughts
Are your eyes DRY???
This is my second decade practicing as an optometrist, and the number of patients I see suffering from dry eye seems to be only increasing. Part of it is due to the environment (air conditioning, poor air quality), and another part is the way we use our eyes. Evaporative dry eye is the most common type, meaning the tears evaporate rapidly, leaving our eyes burning, stinging, or with a foreign body sensation... you name it!
Evaporative dry eye comes from insufficient production of oil from tiny tubes located in our eyelids called Meibomian glands. The Meibomian glands on our lower lid are the most important, as they release tiny oil particles from the openings in these tubes, and during the blink, the top lid spreads the oil across the eye, replenishing the oily part of the tear. The oil in the tears prevents the tears from evaporating, bringing protective molecules and oxygen to the tears that help fight bacteria and viruses like pink eye.
Unfortunately, as our blink rate decreases during computer work or driving, and our skin ages, losing its collagen, these little tubes get clogged with oil. The oil hardens and clogs them up. After an extended period of being clogged, the Meibomian glands atrophy, causing permanent chronic dry eye!
During this time, patients notice their eyes burning, excessively tearing, or experiencing a sensation as if something is in their eyes. This sensation comes from tears evaporating too quickly, therefore interfering with the normal consistency of the tears, and our body trying to make up for it by producing an extra “watery” part of the tear, which is unable to properly lubricate and protect the eye.
So what is the solution, you ask?!
Fortunately, there is a solution, and it works best when initiated early in the disease process.
Maintaining proper lid hygiene and function is the main focus to avoid this uncomfortable condition. I find that hot compresses using a microwavable mask, followed by eyelid wipes to remove excess debris and finally disinfection with a hypochlorous solution can be helpful in maintaining lid health. Diet supplementation with Omega-3 oil is helpful too.
Forma I and IPL have been pioneering in the treatment of dry eye as this is a great way to save those Meibomian glands from destruction by using radiofrequency to bulk heat the lids, stimulating collagen production and then using IPL (intense pulsed light) when possible to reduce inflammation. This procedure is a great tool in our toolbox as it gets to the root of the dry eye problem while also producing a favorable side effect of tightening the skin around the eye.
Ask us about which treatment is best for you at your next check-up!
Sincerely,
Dr. Moyshelis
Are your eyes DRY???
This is my second decade practicing as an optometrist, and the number of patients I see suffering from dry eye seems to be only increasing. Part of it is due to the environment (air conditioning, poor air quality), and another part is the way we use our eyes. Evaporative dry eye is the most common type, meaning the tears evaporate rapidly, leaving our eyes burning, stinging, or with a foreign body sensation... you name it!
Evaporative dry eye comes from insufficient production of oil from tiny tubes located in our eyelids called Meibomian glands. The Meibomian glands on our lower lid are the most important, as they release tiny oil particles from the openings in these tubes, and during the blink, the top lid spreads the oil across the eye, replenishing the oily part of the tear. The oil in the tears prevents the tears from evaporating, bringing protective molecules and oxygen to the tears that help fight bacteria and viruses like pink eye.
Unfortunately, as our blink rate decreases during computer work or driving, and our skin ages, losing its collagen, these little tubes get clogged with oil. The oil hardens and clogs them up. After an extended period of being clogged, the Meibomian glands atrophy, causing permanent chronic dry eye!
During this time, patients notice their eyes burning, excessively tearing, or experiencing a sensation as if something is in their eyes. This sensation comes from tears evaporating too quickly, therefore interfering with the normal consistency of the tears, and our body trying to make up for it by producing an extra “watery” part of the tear, which is unable to properly lubricate and protect the eye.
So what is the solution, you ask?!
Fortunately, there is a solution, and it works best when initiated early in the disease process.
Maintaining proper lid hygiene and function is the main focus to avoid this uncomfortable condition. I find that hot compresses using a microwavable mask, followed by eyelid wipes to remove excess debris and finally disinfection with a hypochlorous solution can be helpful in maintaining lid health. Diet supplementation with Omega-3 oil is helpful too.
Forma I and IPL have been pioneering in the treatment of dry eye as this is a great way to save those Meibomian glands from destruction by using radiofrequency to bulk heat the lids, stimulating collagen production and then using IPL (intense pulsed light) when possible to reduce inflammation. This procedure is a great tool in our toolbox as it gets to the root of the dry eye problem while also producing a favorable side effect of tightening the skin around the eye.
Ask us about which treatment is best for you at your next check-up!
Sincerely,
Dr. Moyshelis
Accepted Insurance
At Family Eyecare, LLC, we accept most major Insurance providers. If you do not see your Insurance provider listed please contact the office for more information.
