Do I Have Dry Eye Syndrome?

SWVC is a Certified Dry Eye Center of Excellence!  We are able to effectively diagnose and treat symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which an individual doesn’t have enough quality tears to lubricate the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the healthy eyes and for providing clear vision.

Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. With each blink of the eyelids, tears spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Excess tears in the eyes flow into small drainage ducts in the inner corners of the eyelids, which drain into the back of the nose. Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage is not in balance.

Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage are not in balance. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of a poor quality.

Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing is completed with emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by your eyes.

Treatments for dry eyes aim to restore or maintain the normal amount of tears in the eye to minimize dryness and related discomfort and to maintain eye health. Dry eyes can be a chronic condition, but the doctors at Southwest Vision Center can prescribe treatment to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable and to prevent your vision from being affected. The primary approaches used to manage and treat dry eyes include adding tears using over-the-counter artificial tear solutions, conserving tears, increasing tear production, and treating the inflammation of the eyelids or eye surface that contributes to the dry eyes.

A New Treatment

We are pleased to offer PROKERA®, a new treatment for chronic Dry Eye

that heals the surface of your eye (cornea) and returns it to a
normal, healthy state.

PROKERA is a simple procedure and is easily inserted and
removed in our office. Once removed your cornea is rejuvenated.

In a recent patient survey, 93% of patients with Dry Eye said they felt better after
treatment with PROKERA.

PROKERA is similar to a contact lens and is made of amniotic tissue. Amniotic tissue is known for
its natural therapeutic actions. It heals your eye faster with less pain, scarring, and
inflammation. The amniotic tissue used in PROKERA is provided by a tissue bank
regulated by the FDA and has passed numerous quality control tests. It is certified safe and
effective. Clinical studies have shown PROKERA reduces the sign and symptoms of Dry
Eye, and helps soothe pain, heal the eye, and improve vision.

PROKERA is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared therapeutic
device that reduces inflammation and promotes healing. For more information visit
www.prokerainfo.com.

Dry Eye Treatments

For mild cases of Dry Eye, traditional treatment options may include over the counter eye drops, warm compresses and lid scrubs. As Dry Eye becomes chronic and severe, immunomodulation and steroids may be needed; however the latter can come with risks of changing intraocular (IOP) pressure and delayed healing. New treatment options for Dry Eye include PROKERA®, Cliradex® and AmnioGraft®.

Beyond Hydration to Rejuvenation Bio-Tissue®’s products go beyond symptom management to rejuvenate and heal the surface of your eye.
Quality Healing A new treatment for chronic Dry Eye, PROKERA heals your cornea and returns your eye to a normal, healthy state. PROKERA is the only FDA-cleared therapeutic device that reduces inflammation and promotes healing, and is easily inserted and removed in your doctor’s office. Similar to a contact lens and made of amniotic tissue known for its natural therapeutic actions, PROKERA heals your eye faster with less pain, scarring and inflammation.

Healthy Eyelids

Cliradex keeps your eyelids clean, comfortable, and healthy in order to manage the symptoms of mild to moderate Dry Eye. It’s available as a preservativefree towelette for ongoing eye health at home, or as a natural cream that is applied by your doctor for more severe cases. Cliradex is the only cleanser that isolates 4-Terpineol, the most important ingredient in tea tree oil, proven to help manage symptoms of Dry Eye among other conditions.

Surgical Outcomes

A surgical graft cleared by the FDA, AmnioGraft is made of amniotic tissue for its healing actions. AmnioGraft is used in more severe cases of Dry Eye where surgical intervention is needed, such as conjunctivochalasis Dry Eye.

Unique, Customized Treatments

Whether you suffer from mild Dry Eye that is uncomfortable, to severe chronic Dry Eye that affects your daily activities and quality of life, Bio-Tissue’s products provide options when artificial tears and other treatments aren’t enough. Ask your doctor about this today.
Treatment Benefits Treating Dry Eye can be challenging. Traditional options typically address inflammation or healing, but not both, and may have side effects. Bio-Tissue’s range of products are designed to:

Heal your cornea

Reduce inflammation and promote healing

Restore your tear reservoir to its natural state

Maintain healthy eyes to prevent future symptoms

“I tried numerous drops and treatments for my chronic dry eyes, but had no relief until treated with PROKERA. Within days my eyes felt much better!”

–Patient with Dry Eye Disease

Prokera Comes in Three Sizes to Suit Your Need

Facts About Dry Eye

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES)

Dry eye syndrome is used to describe a group of conditions that result from insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Nearly 300 million people worldwide experience dry eye, however it can be difficult to diagnose and can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as infections and allergies. Not everyone experiences symptoms in the same way.

● Dry eye is one of the most common reasons patients seek help from their eye doctor. Statistics show that 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers from dry eye.

● Dry eye results from abnormal or insufficient tears, which can lead to eye irritation and ultimately inflammation of the eye. Once inflammation begins, damage can occur to ocular structures, perpetuating and intensifying a cycle of signs, symptoms and causing more inflammation.

● Anyone can experience dry eye, but the condition is more common in females than in males. An estimated 3.2 million women age 50 and over4, and 1.68 million men age 50 and over5 are affected by dry eye. The occurrence of dry eye increases with age. SERI reports that nearly 75 percent of people over age 65 will experience dry eye syndrome6, and the condition occurs most often in older women after menopause7.

● Common symptoms of dry eyes may include dryness, scratchiness, burning or stinging, tired eyes, general discomfort, blurred or variable vision, sensitivity to light, gritty or Foreign Body Sensation (FBS), contact lens intolerance and tear debris. Occasionally, the dry eye patient may experience a paradoxical excess or “reflex” tearing caused by the underlying eye surface irritation.

● Common causes may include advancing age, allergies, poor diet, heating/cooling environmental circumstances, hormonal changes, health status such as diabetes, arthritis, lupus, thyroid dysfunction, chemotherapy or radiation treatments, and acne rosacea, contact lens use, computer use, and patients that have a history of LASIK surgery. In addition certain medications can contribute to dry eye symptoms such as antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, acne treatments, diuretics, and some blood pressure medications.

● Treatment of this condition may include: artificial tears, gels and/or lubricating ointments at bedtime, daily eyelid hygiene wipes, a prescribed medication regimen, omega-3 essential fatty acid nutritional supplements (fish and flaxseed oil), and punctal (tear drainage) occlusion of the eyelid to retain moisture. When dry eye is severe, additional treatment may be used.

● It is important that patients see an eye care professional to determine whether or not they have dry eye and to determine the appropriate therapy for the condition. If all other therapies have not resolved the dry eye symptoms, the eye care professional may then recommend a biologic therapy, such as PROKERA® SLIM.

● Factors that can contribute to dry eye include smoke, pollution, extreme heat or cold, windy environments, concentrated near work such as reading or staring at a computer screen, hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome , Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis, and certain types of medications including antihistamines , anti-depressants and hormone replacement.

● PROKERA® SLIM is a biologic corneal bandage that is similar to a large contact lens. When placed on the eye, it helps relieve dry eye symptoms and restore the cornea back to a healthy optimal state, as well as improve vision8. It is the only FDA cleared therapeutic device that both reduces inflammation and promotes healing. It has been clinically proven to reduce both signs and symptoms of dry eye.

● As you can see the causes and possible treatments are varied and complex. An individual treatment plan will be formulated for you based on severity and known causes. Please follow the eye care professional’s recommendations and treatment plan carefully.

References

1. http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye

2. http://www.tearscience.com/en/investors/dry-eye-market

3. http://optometrytimes.modernmedicine.com/optometrytimes/news/new-paradigm-treating-dry-eye-needed-overcoming-failures

4. ‘Schaumberg DA.et al. Prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome Among U.S. Women. Am J Ophthalmo/2003;136(2):318-26.

5. ‘Schaumberg DA, Dana R, Buring JE, Sullivan DA. Prevalence of dry eye disease among US men: estimates from the Physicians’ Health Studies. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127:763-8.

6. Eye Disease Information and Resources: Dry Eye Fact Sheet. The Schepens Eye Research Institute. 2003.

7. 2000 National Womens’ Health Resource Centers, Inc. (NWHRC). iVillage Health, Dry Eye Syndrome: Overview. http://health.ivillage.com/eye/eyedry/0 ,,nwhrc_75hlv2nv,OO .html

8. Survey of Dry Eye Patients, July 2014, Data on file, Bio-Tissue®, Inc.