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Dry Eye


Understanding Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease is a common cause of eye irritation and decreased vision. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed by both general doctors and eye care providers. At Nashua Eye Associates, our physicians are highly trained in diagnosing and managing dry eye. We offer customized treatment plans tailored to the type and severity of the disease. With advanced technology and years of experience, our New Hampshire ophthalmologists deliver top-notch dry eye care. If dry eye symptoms are impacting your quality of life, don’t hesitate to contact our Nashua location today.


Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms can vary widely among patients. Some common symptoms include:

  • Burning
  • Redness
  • Irritation

However, other symptoms may not be as obviously linked to dry eye, such as:

  • Subtly blurry vision that worsens during reading or computer use
  • Sudden eye pain, often more noticeable in the morning
  • Excessive tearing, which may paradoxically indicate dryness

What is “Tear Film Dificiency”?

The term “dry eye disease” may not fully capture the underlying issue causing these symptoms. A more accurate term is “tear film deficiency.”

While many patients produce enough tears in quantity, the problem often lies in their quality:

  • Tears may evaporate too quickly.
  • They may fail to coat the eye properly.
  • They may contain inflammatory factors, further irritating the eyes.

This tear film deficiency is responsible for the majority of dry eye symptoms.


Treatment Options at Nashua Eye

At Nashua Eye, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to address dry eye, including:

Many patients find relief with over-the-counter artificial tear drops available at pharmacies.

For severe cases, we provide minimally blurring, preservative-free drops available at our office.

Temporary or permanent occlusion of tear drains helps tears stay on the eye’s surface longer for better lubrication.

Restasis and oral medications may be recommended to reduce inflammation and improve tear production.

Certain vitamins and supplements can support tear health.

Thorough eyelid hygiene can play a vital role in managing dry eye.

Products for Dry Eye Relief

At Nashua Eye Associates, we offer a curated selection of products designed to provide relief and support for patients suffering from dry eye. These products complement our advanced treatments and help you maintain healthier eyes from the comfort of your home.

HydroEye

HydroEye is a powerful, patented nutritional supplement for dry eye relief. It contains a unique blend of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and other key nutrients that help support the production of healthy tears and reduce inflammation.

Oasis Tears

Oasis Tears provide long-lasting lubrication to combat dry eye symptoms. These preservative-free eye drops mimic your natural tears, offering immediate hydration and comfort.

Bruder Moist Heat Warming Compress

The Bruder Moist Heat Warming Compress delivers moist heat therapy to soothe dry eyes and unclog Meibomian glands. Its reusable design makes it a convenient solution for daily use to relieve dryness and irritation.

Ocusoft Oust Demodex Cleanser

Ocusoft Oust Demodex Cleanser is specifically formulated to address Demodex mites, a common cause of eyelid inflammation and dry eye. This cleanser promotes better lid hygiene and reduces irritation.

Ocusoft Lid Cleanser

Ocusoft Lid Cleanser is a gentle, foaming eyelid cleanser that removes debris and irritants from the eyelid surface. Regular use can improve overall eyelid health and reduce dryness.

Ocusoft Hypochlor Spray

Ocusoft Hypochlor Spray is a gentle, hypochlorous acid-based spray that cleanses the eyelids and reduces bacteria. It is safe for daily use and ideal for managing chronic eyelid inflammation.

Find Relief Today

Nashua Eye Associates offers these effective products at our office to help you take control of your dry eye symptoms. Speak with one of our specialists to determine which products are best suited for your unique needs.


Advanced Dry Eye Treatments at Nashua Eye

In addition to our comprehensive care, Nashua Eye Associates offers specialized treatments for more severe or complex cases of dry eye. These advanced options target specific causes of dryness and inflammation, ensuring a tailored approach to your care.

What Are Autologous Serum Tears?

Autologous serum tears are a cutting-edge treatment for patients with severe dry eye, particularly those with inflammatory conditions like Sjögren’s Syndrome or Rheumatoid Arthritis. These drops are created from your own blood and contain nutrients that artificial tears or medicated drops cannot replicate.

How Are Autologous Serum Tears Made?

  1. A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient.
  2. The red blood cells and clotting factors are removed, leaving behind the “serum.”
  3. This serum is mixed with a sterile, preservative-free solution, creating eye drops that are safe and nutrient-rich.

One blood draw typically yields enough serum tears to last approximately three months for both eyes. The entire preparation process takes about 45 minutes and is completed in our office.

Am I a Candidate for Autologous Serum Tears?

Not all patients with dry eye will benefit from this treatment. To determine if autologous serum tears are right for you, schedule an appointment with Nashua Eye Associates today.

IPL: Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Nashua Eye is proud to be the first in New Hampshire to offer Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy for dry eye. Originally developed for dermatologic conditions like rosacea, IPL has been proven effective in treating dry eye caused by unhealthy oils and inflammation in the tear film.

How IPL Works

  • IPL delivers light energy to the skin around the eyes, improving the quality of meibum (oil) produced by eyelid glands.
  • After the light treatment, your doctor expresses the oils from your eyelid glands, enhancing the tear film’s ability to coat the eye’s surface.

What to Expect During IPL Treatment

  • Treatment takes about 5 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes for manual expression of the glands.
  • Patients often describe the treatment as warm and painless, with some reporting a mild sensation similar to an elastic pinging the skin.
  • Most patients benefit from 3-4 monthly treatments followed by maintenance sessions every 6-12 months.

IPL can significantly reduce symptoms and may decrease reliance on other therapies like Restasis or oral medications.

LipiFlow: A Revolutionary Dry Eye Therapy

LipiFlow is a specialized treatment that targets Meibomian gland dysfunction, a leading cause of dry eye. These glands, located along the eyelids, produce the oily layer of the tear film that prevents tears from evaporating too quickly.

How LipiFlow Works

  • Heat is applied to the underside of the eyelids to liquefy congealed oils.
  • Gentle mechanical pulses express the glands, removing old, unhealthy lipids and allowing the glands to produce fresh, healthy oils.

The LipiFlow Experience

  • The treatment takes approximately 20 minutes and is performed in-office.
  • The eye is numbed for comfort, and most patients describe the treatment as warm and relaxing.
  • Results are typically noticed within days or weeks and can last for several months.

Advanced Diagnostics with LipiView

Before treatment, the LipiView system evaluates the health of the Meibomian glands. This imaging technology assesses:

  • The extent of gland dysfunction.
  • The thickness of the oily tear film layer.
  • The quality and frequency of blinking.

Customized Dry Eye Solutions

Whether you are dealing with mild dryness or severe inflammation, Nashua Eye Associates offers the latest therapies to help you achieve lasting relief. Contact us today to schedule your dry eye consultation and learn more about these advanced treatments.

Dry Eye Articles

Autologous Serum Tears for Severe Dry Eye

Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons for visits to eye care providers.  Dry eye causes burning, foreign body sensation, redness, and pain.  Some patients are symptomatic with blurry or fluctuating vision.  A minority of patients with dry eye will develop nerve damage on the ocular surface that results in scarring and poor vision.  A number…

The One Where Jennifer Aniston Has Dry Eye

Shire Pharmaceuticals is building up its marketing for the newly FDA approved dry eye drop Xiidra.  The pharma company recently tapped girl-next-door, gen X beauty Jennifer Aniston to promote the product.  Shire is hopeful Ms. Aniston will heighten awareness for dry eye, which is too commonly underdiagnosed. The Dry Eye Center at Nashua Eye looks forward to evaluating Xiidra as a…

Xiidra vs. Restasis. Which is better for dry eye?

Xiidra (lifitegrast) has entered the market for dry eye treatment.  The Dry Eye Center at Nashua Eye is looking forward to evaluating the benefit of this eye drop for inflammatory related ocular surface disease.  Nashua Eye Associates already offers the a full compliment of dry eye therapies, including Lumenis IPL and Lipiflow.  For more than a decade, Restasis has been the…

New Lumenis IPL for Dry Eye

IPL, intense pulsed light, is dry eye therapy with well documented benefits.  Nashua Eye was the first in the region to acquire IPL technology in 2014 with DermaMed IPL.  Dry eye patients, particularly those with dry eye related to ocular rosacea, or unhealthy oil glands along the edge the eye lid, have had wonderful symptomatic and visual improvements.  The…
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