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Senior Eye Care Center |
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Make YOUR eyes smile again ... |
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What is Dry Eye
Syndrome? |
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The name "dry eye" can be a little
confusing since one of the most common
symptoms is excessive watering! It makes
more sense, though, when you learn that
the eye makes two different types of
tears.
The first type, called lubricating
tears, is produced slowly and steadily
throughout the day. Lubricating tears
contain a precise balance of mucous,
water, oil, nutrient proteins, and
antibodies that nourish and protect the
front surface of the eye.
The second type of tear, called a reflex
tear, does not have much lubricating
value. Reflex tears serve as a kind of
emergency response to flood the eye when
it is suddenly irritated or injured.
Reflex tears might occur when you get
something in your eye, when you're
cutting onions, when you're around
smoke, or when you accidentally scratch
your eye. The reflex tears gush out in
such large quantities that the tear
drainage system can't handle them all
and they spill out onto your cheek.
Still another cause of reflex tearing is
irritation of the eye from lack of
lubricating tears. If your eye is not
producing enough lubricating tears, you
have dry eye.
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vis'ion n:
power of seeing. |
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Did you
Know? |
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Glaucoma is a
leading cause of blindness in the United States, especially
for the older population. But loss of sight from glaucoma is often preventable.
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Articles
of Interest |
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Call
us today to schedule your appointment:
727-895-2020 |
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Ophthalmologist |
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A doctor of
medicine (M.D.) specializing in surgery and diseases of the
eye. |
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Optometrist |
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A doctor of optometry who diagnoses and
treats visual health problems. |
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Dry Eye Symptoms and Signs |
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Watery eyes
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The feeling that there's sand in your
eyes
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Eyes that itch and burn
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Vision that becomes blurred after
periods of reading, watching TV, or
using a computer
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Red, irritated eyes that produce a
mucus discharge
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For more information call Florida Eye
Center at 727-895-2020. |
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Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome
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Age: As we get older, glands in the
eyelid produce less oil. Oil keeps tears
from evaporating off the eye. Decreased
oil production allows tears to evaporate
too quickly, leaving the eye too dry.
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Diseases including diabetes, Sjogren's
and Parkinson's
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Hormonal changes, especially after
menopause
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Prescription medications: These include
some high blood pressure medications,
antihistamines, diuretics,
antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills,
sleeping pills and pain medications.
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Over-the-counter medications including
some cold and allergy products, motion
sickness remedies, and sleep aids can
also cause dry eye.
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Hot dry or windy conditions: High
altitude, air-conditioning and smoke can
also cause dry eye.
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Reading, using a computer or watching TV
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Contact lenses
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Eye surgery: Some types of eye surgery,
including LASIK can aggravate dry eye.
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Inflammation: Recent research suggests
that dry eye may be caused by
inflammation due to an imbalance of
"good" fats and "bad" fats.
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For more information call Florida Eye
Center at 727-895-2020. |
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Diagnosing Dry Eye |
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Your eye doctor can check for dry eye by
examining your eyes with magnifying
instruments, measuring your rate of tear
production and checking the amount of
time it takes for tears to evaporate
between blinks. The doctor can also
check for pinpoint scratches on the
front surface of the eye caused by
dryness using special, colored eyedrops
call fluorescein or Rose Bengal.
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For more information call Florida Eye
Center at 727-895-2020. |
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Dry Eye Treatment |
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"Moisture Eyes" from Baush & Lomb
The most common treatment is use of
artificial teardrops that help make up
for the lack of natural lubricating
tears. Artificial tear products come in
liquid form, longer lasting gelform and
long-lasting ointment form, which is
most often recommended for nighttime
use. Many different brands of artificial
tears are available over-the-counter.
Some contain preservatives and some do
not. Unpreserved tears may be
recommended for people whose eyes are
sensitive to preservatives. Artificial
tears can generally be used as often as
needed, from a few times per day to
every few minutes. You should follow the
regimen your doctor recommends.
"Bion Tears" from Alcon
When infection, inflammation of the
eyelids or clogged oil glands contribute
to dry eye, special lid cleaning
techniques or antibiotics may be
recommended.
It may also help to avoid hot, dry or
windy environments or to humidify the
air in your home or office.
Research has confirmed the effectiveness
of new ,safe anti-inflammatory
medications and nutrients called fatty
acids for treating dry eye. This
research has lead to a new treatment
options . This is called Restasis (cyclosporin).
Punctal occlusion is a medical treatment
available at the Florida Eye Center for
dry eye disease .This safe treatment may
last forever and help your eyes save and
better use of the few lubricating tears
they do produce.
Punctal Occlusion
One way to reduce the hot, stinging,
scratchy symptoms of dry eye disease is to
help the eyes to keep the small amount of
lubricating tears they do produce around
longer. This is accomplished by closing
off the small drain hole found in the
inner corner of the upper and lower
eyelids. These drain holes, called
punctums can be closed with tiny plugs
called punctal plugs. This is like putting
a stopper in the tub drain to fill the
tub. The plugs can be placed into either
of the two tear ducts, top or bottom, in
both eyelids or only on one side/lid
ducts. The punctum can also be permanently
closed with a heat or laser procedure as
another option.
Punctal plugs can be temporary or
permanent.
Temporary plugs dissolve a few days after
insertion. If your dry eye symptoms
disappear when the temporary plugs are
inserted, your doctor may consider
permanent punctal occlusion.
Punctal occlusion is for those:
What to expect on procedure day:
Your treatment will be performed in an
examination room. It does not require a
surgery center. Once you have been checked
in and settled comfortably, drops will be
used to numb your eye; no injections or
needles are used.
Your doctor will lift your eyelid up and
ask you to look toward your ear, away from
your nose. Using a forceps-like
applicator, the plug will be placed into
the drain in the corner of your eyelid,
then released. The doctor will then gently
push the plug into your natural punctal
opening and you'll be asked to blink. Once
the plugs get wet, they will expand to
completely fill the opening. The entire
procedure takes only a few minutes. Many
patients report immediate relief from dry
eye symptoms and resume normal activities
immediately.
Realistic expectations:
Serious complications with punctal
occlusion are extremely rare, but like any
medical procedure, it does have some
risks. If you experience side effects,
your doctor can remove the plugs. Going to
a specialist experienced in punctal
occlusion can significantly minimize
risks.
If you and your Florida Eye Center doctor
decide that punctal occlusion is an option
for you, you will be given additional
information about the procedure that will
allow you to make an informed decision
about whether to proceed.
If you would like more information about
this procedure you can make an appointment
or contact the office for additional
information |
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For more information call Florida Eye
Center at 727-895-2020. |
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Ask The Doctor |
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Dr. Sibley
has
over 20 years of experience in the
ever evolving field of ophthalmology.
He is a board-certified
ophthalmologist, F.A.C.S., and he is
highly trained to perform the advanced
operations offered by the Florida Eye
Center.
He is
medical advisor to the Society to
Prevent Blindness and to the American
Diabetes Association, and is team
ophthalmologist for the Devil Rays.
eMail:
AskTheDoctor@FloridaEyeCenter.com
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For more information call Florida Eye
Center at 727-895-2020. |
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Make YOUR eyes smile again ... |
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The information
contained herein is intended to be educational
and is not intended in any way as a substitute
for medical advice and care from qualified
vision care providers. Consult a vision care
professional in matters relating to visual
health and particularly with respect to any
symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical
attention. |
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