Dry Eye Center
Dr. Schwartz provides comprehensive & effective solutions that treat even the most severe cases of dry eye.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
At our Westchester Dry Eye Center, Dr. Arlene Schwartz has extensive experience treating all forms of Dry Eye. Dry Eye is a term used to describe an eye condition that can create many symptoms and cause fluctuating vision, burning, tearing, and redness of the eyes. Dry Eye is multifactorial and may be secondary to decreased tear production or too rapid evaporation of tears due to a poor lipid layer, an oil lipid layer. Often, the cause of Dry Eye is both and the result is inflammation. Today, we have many new Dry Eye treatments, where determining the actual cause is so important to receive the proper treatment and find true relief.
Once the type of Dry Eye is determined there are multiple ways to treat the condition including artificial tears, prescription eye drops, omega supplements, lid hygiene, and warm compresses. There are office procedures such as lid debridement or LipiFlow, Blephex, and also IPL to help reduce inflammation.
What Are Tears Made Of?
Tears are more than just fluid in the eye; they have a chemical makeup comprised of water, enzymes, proteins, metabolites, lipids, and mucins.
Tears are important because they keep your eyes well-lubricated and protect them from foreign bodies or dust particles, which can cause irritation.
When an insufficient amount of tears is produced in the tear ducts, Dry Eye Syndrome occurs.
What are tear elements and why are they important?
- Enzymes are proteins that cause a chemical reaction inside the body
- Proteins are molecules containing amino acids that are found in tissues in the body
- Metabolites are small molecules that are related to metabolism
- Lipids are molecules with an oily substance which contain healthy fats
- Mucins are glycoproteins that helps cells stick together
Diagnosing Dry Eye Syndrome in Westchester
Dr. Arlene Schwartz evaluates & diagnoses dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) using a variety of techniques and modern technology.
Dry Eye Diagnostics
- Meibography
- Meibomian Gland Evaluation and Expression score
- Tear Osmolarity
- Fluorescein and Vital Dye staining
- Tear Break Up Time
- Schirmer Testing
- SPEED questionnaire
- Corneal Topography
- InflammaDry
Helpful Home Treatments for Dry Eyes
If you have dry eyes and find it challenging to read, drive, watch TV or play sports, there are a number of DIY home treatments that are worthwhile to try out. In addition to Dr. Arlene Schwartz’s recommended medical dry eye treatment, you can also take action with some of the following tips:
Our dry eye specialist, Dr. Arlene Schwartz, will develop a customized treatment plan for each patient, depending on the severity and likely causes of the dry eye symptoms.
Dry Eye Technology
Other Treatments for Dry Eye
There are other treatments available for Dry Eye Syndrome. Give us a call to find out more about:
- Scleral Lenses - These lenses have a small amount of liquid solution between them and the eye, providing moisture and relief. Many dry eye sufferers can wear these lenses for up to 14 hours!
- Hyclear - This spray solution is designed for the removal of foreign material including microorganisms and debris on and around the eyelid margins that may be associated with Blepharitis, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), and Dry Eye Syndrome.
- Azasite Ophthalmic - An eye drop that can fight eyelid infections, and can facilitate the correct functioning of the oil glands.