6 Dry Eye Treatments Your Fort Worth Ophthalmologist May Recommend
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people see an eye doctor. It rarely has a single cause, which is why there are so many ways to treat it and why one bottle of drops often falls short. At Mueller Vision, the goal is to find out what is driving your symptoms and match the treatment to the cause.
Here are six treatments your eye doctor may recommend depending on your symptoms and what is causing them.
Treatment 1: Artificial Tears
Artificial tears are usually the starting point for treating dry eye symptoms. You can get them over the counter, and they aim to add moisture to the eye’s surface. The lubrication they provide can often ease mild symptoms within minutes.
There are different formulas to choose from as well. Thin drops work quickly, while gels and ointments last longer but can briefly blur vision, so many people save them for bedtime.
Patients who use drops more than four times a day often do better with preservative-free versions, since preservatives can irritate the eye with frequent use.
Artificial tears manage symptoms, but they do not fix the underlying cause. Needing them all day is a sign your eyes deserve a closer look.
Treatment 2: Changes to Your Daily Environment and Habits
Lifestyle changes can make a significant difference, especially for people whose symptoms flare in certain settings.
In summer, air conditioners run for months, and in winter, forced-air heat does the same. Both dry out indoor air and can dry out the surface of your eyes as well. A humidifier in the bedroom or home office adds moisture back, and pointing car vents away from your face helps too.
Other helpful habits include:
- Applying a warm compress to closed eyelids for several minutes a day to loosen thickened oil in the eyelid glands
- Wearing wraparound sunglasses outdoors on windy days
- Limiting contact lens wear or switching to glasses on bad days
- Removing eye makeup completely before bed so it does not clog the glands along the lash line
Screen time also plays a big role. People blink far less often while staring at a monitor or phone. Following the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) gives your eyes a regular reset.
Treatment 3: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseed, and fish oil supplements, may support the oil layer of the tear film and help reduce inflammation. Results vary from person to person, and any benefit builds slowly over a couple of months of consistent use. Staying hydrated matters as well, particularly during hot summers. Talk with your doctor before starting a supplement, especially if you take blood thinners.
Treatment 4: Prescription Eye Drops
When over-the-counter options are not enough, inflammation is often part of the problem. Chronic dry eye can create a cycle of dryness that irritates the eye’s surface, then irritation triggers inflammation, and then inflammation further reduces the quality and quantity of tears.
Prescription eye drops can target that cycle. Some types calm inflammation on the eye’s surface so the glands can produce healthier tears over time. In some cases, a short course of a steroid drop settles a flare while longer-term treatment takes hold.
It’s important to remember that these drops require patience. Many take several weeks to a few months to reach their full effect. Also, some sting briefly when first applied, so don’t be concerned if you notice that. Patients who stick with them often find they need artificial tears far less often.
Treatment 5: LipiFlow for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Along the edge of each eyelid sit tiny oil-producing glands called meibomian glands. When they become clogged, the oil thickens and cannot reach the tear film. This condition, called meibomian gland dysfunction, is one of the most common causes of evaporative dry eye.
LipiFlow treats the problem at its source. During the in-office procedure, a device applies controlled heat to the inner surface of the eyelids while gentle pulsing pressure helps clear the blocked glands.
The treatment takes about 12 minutes, and most patients describe the sensation as warm pressure rather than pain. Once the glands are functioning again, the tear film holds moisture longer.
Treatment 6: Punctal Plugs
Tears drain from the eye through small openings in the inner corners of the eyelids called puncta. For patients who do not produce enough tears, punctal plugs partially block that drainage so natural tears stay on the eye’s surface longer.
The plugs are tiny, and placing them takes only a few minutes in the office. Some are made of collagen and dissolve over time, which lets patients test the effect before choosing longer-lasting silicone plugs. Most people cannot feel them, and they can be removed if needed.
Are dry, irritated eyes getting in the way of your day? Schedule an appointment at Mueller Vision in Fort Worth, TX.
