Dry eyes - Treatment in Pune
Dr Rajeev Raut Eye Clinic Raut Eye Care

Dry eyes is a condition in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep them lubricated and comfortable.It can cause a burning or scratchy sensation, redness, and even blurred vision if left untreated.It can be caused by environmental factors such as wind, air conditioning, and computer use, or by medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.Treatments for dry eyes include artificial tears, steroids, and medicated eye drops.It’s important to get dry eyes treated because if left untreated, it can lead to a more serious eye condition.Dry eyes can also lead to eye infections, scarring, and vision loss.

1. Do your eyes feel irritated, itchy, or uncomfortable?
   YesNo
2. Do you experience burning, stinging, or a gritty sensation in your eyes?
   YesNo
3. Do you have an increased sensitivity to light?
   YesNo

1. Not blinking enough
2. Prolonged use of digital devices
3. Side effects of certain medications
4. Aging
5. Environment with low humidity
6. Underlying health conditions such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, Thyroid Disorders, or Vitamin A deficiency
7. Exposure to windy, dusty, or smoky environments
8. LASIK or other eye surgeries
9. Excessive use of contact lenses
10. Prolonged use of contact lens solution

1. Medical Treatment
1. Artificial Tears: Artificial Tears are lubricating eye drops that help to moisten the eyes and improve the symptoms of dry eye.
2. Warm Compresses: Warm compresses are used to help open up the tear ducts, allowing more natural tears to be released.
3. Omega-3 Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation, improve tear production, and increase tear film stability.
4. Punctal Plugs: Punctal plugs are small plugs that are inserted into the puncta (tear ducts) to decrease tear drainage and help retain tears in the eyes.
5. Lid Hygiene: Lid hygiene involves gently cleaning the eyelid margins with a warm, wet washcloth to remove debris, bacteria, and allergens that can worsen dry eye symptoms.
6. Corticosteroid Drops: Corticosteroid eye drops can be prescribed to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of dry eye.
2. Surgical Treatment
1. Punctal Occlusion: This procedure involves surgically closing the tear drainage holes in the eyelids which prevents tears from draining away too quickly and allows them to remain on the surface of the eye longer.
2. Meibomian Gland Excision: This procedure removes the meibomian glands, which are responsible for secreting oils that keep the tears from evaporating too quickly and keeps them on the surface of the eye longer.
3. Autologous Serum Tears: This procedure involves taking a sample of the patient’s own blood and using it to create a serum tear solution that can be used to moisten the eye surface and help with lubrication.
4. LipiFlow: This procedure uses thermal pulsation to unblock and clear the meibomian glands, which can help improve the quality of the tears and reduce symptoms of dry eye.
5. Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL): This procedure uses a series of low-level laser pulses to improve blood flow and stimulate the meibomian glands, which helps to reduce inflammation and improve tear production.
6. Amniotic Membrane Transplantation: This procedure involves placing a thin membrane over the eye surface to provide a protective barrier that can help reduce inflammation and improve lubrication.
3. Home Remedies
1. Blink more frequently: Frequent blinking helps to keep the eyes lubricated, especially when working on a computer or other digital devices.
2. Use artificial tears: Artificial tears are eye drops designed to mimic the body's natural tears, providing relief and lubrication for dry eyes.
3. Wear wrap-around sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses that wrap around the eyes helps to reduce the amount of wind and dust entering the eyes, which can reduce dryness.
4. Use a humidifier: Increasing the humidity in a room can help prevent dry air from evaporating the natural tears in the eyes.
5. Limit exposure to air conditioning and heaters: Prolonged exposure to air conditioning and heaters can dry out the eyes, so it’s best to limit direct exposure.
6. Take a break from contact lenses: Contact lenses can irritate dry eyes, so taking a break from wearing them can help relieve symptoms.
7. Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of dry eyes, as it can irritate the eyes and reduce tear production.
8. Increase omega-3 fatty acid intake: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, nuts, and seeds can help promote tear production and reduce dryness.