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What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a very common condition that occurs when you don’t have enough tears to properly lubricate the eye. This lack of adequate moisture can occur for a number of reasons, including hormonal changes, wearing contact lenses, allergies, autoimmune disorders, or age itself. No matter the reason, it causes a disruption in the tear film, which is made up of fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. If there is a problem with either component, dry eyes can occur.

Dry eye disease also comes with symptoms that can be very uncomfortable, including stinging, burning, or scratching sensations, mucus in or around the eye, sensitivity to light, eye redness, blurred vision, eye fatigue, difficulty driving at night, and difficulty wearing contact lenses.

Medical Dry Eye Treatments We Offer at Eye Consultants

At Eye Consultants, we offer an extremely comprehensive and advanced approach to Dry Eye Disease, ranging from medical treatments to in-office procedures.

Eye consultants goes well beyond the “over the counter” remedies for dry eye with medical therapies including:

Cyclosporine and Anti-Inflammatory Eyedrops

Cyclosporines (Restasis, Cequa, or Vevye) and other anti-inflammatories such as Lifitegrast (Xiidra) can be highly effective at treating dry eyes and relieving your symptoms. These medications can control inflammation in the lacrimal gland (the gland that produces tears) and increase tear production. These eyedrops  specifically work as an immunosuppressant to reduce eye swelling and increase tear production.

Tryvaya

Tyrvaya is a nasal spray that is FDA-approved to treat dry eyes. You spray the medication into each nostril twice a day. This activates the pathway in the noseresponsible for tear production.

Serum Tears

If you suffer from severe dry eye, your eye doctor may recommend serum drops. These are artificial tears made from part of your own blood. These tears contain many of the same components as your natural tears.

Supplements

Supplements can also be an effective way to address dry eye disease. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc can all help address dry eye symptoms like inflammation and decreased tear production. Check with your doctor before you start any supplements to ensure they are right for you.

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Effective Treatments for Dry Eyes in Wilmington, DE

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Effective Treatments for Dry Eyes in Wilmington, DE

Support and Follow-up Care

During and after treatment for dry eye, you can rely on the support and care from our team at Eye Consultants in Wilmington. We recommend follow-up care to ensure the treatment is working for you and to check if anything needs to be adjusted to help relieve your symptoms.

Schedule A Consultation

Stop suffering from dry eyes and finally discover a solution that relieves your symptoms! Our team of experts at Eye Consultants has years of experience and knowledge of the latest treatments to ensure you receive the care you deserve. Schedule a consultation today by calling our Wilmington office at 302-581-8087 or filling out our online contact form. We are proud to serve the Dover, Wilmington, Newark, Smyrna, Townsend, and Middletown, DE areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What precautions should be taken during Restasis?

When taking Restastis eye drops, you’ll want to avoid touching the tip of the container directly to your eye, remove contact lenses before using Restasis, wash your hands before putting eye drops in, and allow your eyes to become completely clear before driving.

How long does it take for Xiidra to start working?

Xiidra typically takes a few weeks before you start seeing a significant difference in your dry eye symptoms. At that point, you should feel less itching, dryness, and redness.

How long are eyes blurry after Xiidra?

Blurred vision is a common side effect of Xiidra, but it typically disappears within a few seconds. That said, it can take hours for some to clear their vision.

How long does it take for Vevye eye drops to work?

Vevye eye drops can take about four weeks to start working, but some patients have seen their symptoms lessening sooner than that. Most patients see significant improvement in their dry eye symptoms by three months.

Can you use too much Cequa?

As with any drug or treatment, yes, you can use too much Cequa. While it’s unlikely to be dangerous if you use one or two drops extra, it can cause some temporary side effects like discomfort or redness.

Can I keep Cequa in the fridge?

No, Cequa should not be stored in the refrigerator. It should be stored at room temperature (about 68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Should I avoid shaking Tyrvaya?

Yes, because shaking the formula could cause air bubbles to form. This could affect how the medication comes out of the bottle and into your eye.

What are the side effects of Tyrvaya?

Some of the side effects of Tyrvaya include sneezing, nose irritation, coughing, and sore throat. If these side effects don’t go away or are bothersome, don’t hesitate to contact us for alternative treatment options.

How long does it take for serum tears to work?

It typically takes at least two weeks before you notice an improvement with serum tears. That said, some patients have noticed a reduction in symptoms after a week, while others had to wait a few months before seeing a significant improvement.

How much Vitamin D should I take daily for dry eyes?

We typically recommend 5,000-10,000 IU of vitamin D per day to see an improvement in dry eyes. Vitamin D can improve tear production, reduce inflammation, and improve the function of the eyes barrier.

Dr. Alissa Long

Dr. Alissa Long

Comprehensive Optometrist

Dr. Alissa Long is an Optometrist whose expertise encompasses a variety of eye conditions and abnormalities, as well as vision concerns. She is dedicated to ensuring each and every patient receives the best personalized care and results possible. Dr. Long’s personable care and seasoned experience lends to her ability to tailored yet comprehensive attention for her patients.… Continue reading Dr. Alissa Long

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Contact Us Today

Your health is our top priority and we look forward to assisting you in your eyecare journey. Please call the office at (302) 998-2333 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment.

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This is an excellent facility. I have glaucoma and have been treated by Dr. Dealy for over four years. Mine is not an easy case and Dr. Dealy has been so knowledgeable and thorough in answering all questions. She has always spent the time necessary to put me at ease. The front office staff are kind, welcoming, and genuine.

Professional, but friendly. Staff, including the doctors, are knowledgeable, ensuring patient understands diagnosis and treatment options.

When it comes to my eyes, it’s one less thing I have to worry about because I know Eye Consultants is taking care of all my needs.

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