We Are Your Dry Eye Destination!
If you suffer from constant eye irritation, come to Springfield Eye Specialists for an evaluation of your Meibomian Gland Function. We will take an image of your oil glands and then let you know what course of treatment is right for you.
Don’t Let Dry Eyes Get in Your Way
Are your eyes constantly red and itching? Do they water? Do you need to blink all the time? Does your vision fluctuate? Do these symptoms make your day-to-day activities difficult? These are the symptoms of chronic dry eye or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). MGD is a common eye condition that can happen to anyone. Many don’t know they have it until it is too late. MGD is often a result in clogged Meibomian glands that can then permanently dry up and fracture your oil glands – resulting in irreversible dry eye symptoms. Meibomian glands, located in the eyelids, produce the protective oily (lipid) layer of the tear film protecting the service of the eye from disease; preventing the watery part of your tears from evaporating when your eyes open. Dry eye is an equal-opportunity disease, which means that it can happen to anyone. It’s estimated that up to 33 million Americans suffer from chronic dry eye. Treatments for dry eye will be much more successful when diagnosed earlier rather than later.
You are at High Risk for Chronic Dry Eye if you…
Experience red, itchy or irritated eyes
Use Contact Lenses
Suffer from Glaucoma
Have undergone eye surgery
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
Burning Sensation
Itchy Eyes
Heavy Eyes
Dryness Sensation
Red Eyes
Photophobia (light sensitivity)
Treating Your Dry Eye Symptoms
Traditional treatments of chronic dry eye include over-the-counter artificial tears or ointments, Omega-3 supplements, and prescription drops like Restasis and Xiidra. You may be investing your dollars for prescription eye drops that don’t address the root cause of your dry eye problem, but merely mask the symptoms of it. That’s a high price to pay for temporary relief.
Optima IPL: Light-based treatment for your eye lids
Often the root causes of chronic inflammation aren’t within the eye at all, rather on the eyelids and the eyes surrounding tissue. Optimal IPL is 4 treatment targeting problems around your eye, such as, decreasing pro-inflammatory mediators, destroying abnormal blood vessels and decreasing chances of infection. This first-of-its-kind, energy-based therapy reduces the need for expensive prescription eye medications and drop dependency. Recommended for patients suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), Rosacea, Sjogren’s Syndrome and Blepharitis.
LipiFlow®: Eliminate Chronic Dry Eye
Stop treating your symptoms and get long-lasting relief with the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation treatments last 1-3 years and are now available at Springfield Eye Specialists right here in Springfield. You no longer have to drive to St. Louis or Kansas City for treatments, and you no longer have to spend upwards of $100 a month for temporary relief. In fact, LipiFlow® treatments are significantly less expensive in the long-term than prescription eye drops.
“DRY EYE
relief for up to 3 years”
How Does Lipiflow Work? The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System is a dry eye treatment that combines warm compress therapy and meibomian gland expression. The LipiFlow device fits onto the eye and applies precisely controlled heat to soften hardened meibum or thickened oil clogging the openings of the meibomian glands. The LipiFlow system then applies pulsed pressure to the eyelids to open clogged meibomian glands. This procedure restores the correct balance of oils in the tear film helping to relieve dry eye syndrome. Lipiflow treatment takes approximately 12 minutes per eye. Most patients report improvement of their dry eye symptoms within two weeks. In some cases, however, it can take a few months for improvements to become apparent.
A Comprehensive Approach for Our Clients
EVALUATE
The Meibomian Gland Evaluator™ (MGE) provides standardized, repeatable evaluation of meibomian gland function.
IMAGE
LipiScan™ & LipiView II® offer high-definition meibography with Dynamic Meibomian Imaging™.
TREAT
The LipiFlow® System’s drug-free mechanism of action applies precise heat and pressure to remove gland obstructions while protecting delicate structures of the eye.
Punctal Plugs: Keeping Moisture In
Punctal Plugs are used to increases the eye’s surface moisture to help relieve certain forms of dry eye. Punctal Plugs are normally considered after eye drops have failed to relieve dry eye symptoms. Punctal Plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices that are inserted into your tear ducts to retain moisture. There are three types of Punctal Plugs to choose from. The most popular are semi-permanent, made of long-lasting materials and are dissolvable. Temporary or dissolvable Punctal Plugs would be used in circumstances such as preventing dry eyes after LASIK. Your third option would be to insert intracanalicular Punctal Plugs, if the previous two don’t work. These sit more deeply in the duct, and surgery is sometimes needed to remove. Ask your optometrist if temporary, permanent (made of silicone or acrylic material) or intracanalicular plugs are right for you.
Artificial Tears: Lubricating Your Eyes for Relief
Artificial Tears are eyedrops or gels used to lubricate your eyes and help you maintain moisture on the surface of your eyes. Commonly used for treatment of dry eye caused by a medical condition, eye surgery, aging or your environment. Artificial Tears are normally available without a prescription. Some artificial tears aid in healing your eyes while others help to decrease tear evaporation. You may want to try different types to find the best one for you; or let us help you in finding what works best for your current condition.
