Dry Eye Therapy
Dry eye syndrome is often conditioned by a reduction in its production, which causes discomfort, the feeling of sand under the eyelids. When struggling with this problem, it is necessary to ensure proper hydration of the eyes and introduce five-minute breaks for an hour of continuous work at the monitor to rest the eyes tired from radiation of the screen. Dry Eye Syndrome (ZSO) is a common disease that affects 10-18% of the population in Poland.
Expert recommendation
Dry eye syndrome is a bothersome, chronic condition that manifests itself in a feeling of discomfort, burning, redness and excessive watery eyes. The usual treatment is the use of eye lubricants, artificial tears, which are often insufficient in more severe patients.
The VITA-MED Ophthalmology Clinic, as one of the few centers in Poland, has a non-invasive system for measuring the composition and quantity of tears, as well as the degree of Meibomian gland loss – OSA, and a patented apparatus for non-invasive stimulation of the above-mentioned glands with polarized light – E-Eye. It is a modern approach to the problem of dry eye, offering patients much more than just other moisturizing drops.
Dr. Karol Nienartowicz
Ophthalmologist
What is the cause of dry eye syndrome and how is it treated in the clinic?
Dry eye syndrome is a term used to describe a range of medical conditions with similar symptoms. Such ailments occur when tear production is disturbed – tears are too few or abnormal, and then excessive tearing is a common symptom. This is due to the fact that the tears consist of several substances. The most important of course is water, which is the main component of tears, but no less important component is the mucus layer and the lipid (fat) layer, preventing the excessive evaporation of tears. As with broth, the soup stays warm because there is fat floating on the surface to reduce evaporation, so also on the surface of the eye, when the fat layer is tight, the eye stays moist. Unfortunately, the glands that produce the lipid layer often lose their efficiency, whether due to insufficient nerve stimulation or the obstruction of the glands. Treatment at the clinic begins with diagnostics, consisting in a thorough examination of the patient with the use of modern equipment that analyzes the composition of tears, the level of eye hydration, as well as the presence and efficiency of the lacrimal glands. The patient is educated on how to conduct eyelid margin hygiene, the gland openings are unblocked and appropriate drops are recommended. Moreover, with the help of the E-Eye polarized light emitter, the glands are stimulated to intensify work. A cycle of four treatments allows you to eliminate discomfort even for several years! has unblocked gland openings and appropriate drops are recommended. Moreover, with the help of the E-Eye polarized light emitter, the glands are stimulated to intensify work. A cycle of four treatments allows you to eliminate discomfort even for several years! has unblocked gland openings and appropriate drops are recommended. Moreover, with the help of the E-Eye polarized light emitter, the glands are stimulated to intensify work. A cycle of four treatments allows you to eliminate discomfort even for several years!
Of course, we also use other, individually selected treatments, for example in cases of tear flow disorders, we use unblocking the tear ducts, or we use various types of plugs to reduce the outflow of tears.
What is the uniqueness of the medical equipment used in the clinic?
The VITA-MED Ophthalmology Clinic, as one of the few centers in Poland, has a non-invasive system for measuring the composition and quantity of tears, as well as the degree of Meibomian gland loss – OSA, and a patented device for non-invasive stimulation of the above-mentioned glands with polarized light – E-Eye. It is a modern approach to the problem of dry eye, offering patients much more than just other moisturizing drops.
With the help of the eye surface and tear analyzer (OSA), it is possible to perform such tests as:
- Meibography,
- Analysis of the breakdown time of the lipid layer, without the need to use fluorescein,
- Analysis and measurement of the thickness of the lipid layer,
- Assessment of the amount of the tear film,
- Pupillometry – measuring the pupil’s reaction to light with and without lighting,
- Corneal topography,
- Measurement of the eyelid angle
How can patients deal with dry eye on their own?
High technology and the work of specialists is important, but so is patient cooperation. Daily hygiene of the eyelid margins, massage of the gland openings and eye lubrication are as important nowadays to maintain eye comfort as brushing your teeth to maintain a white smile.
How can you use the clinic’s services?
The easiest way is to register for a diagnostic test, which will determine the level of eye hydration, the advancement of the disease and answer the question whether therapy is necessary and to what extent. Patients with a diagnosed syndrome can immediately make an appointment for specialist treatments. In addition, our specialists watch and themselves propose diagnostics and treatment to patients who are not aware of the possibilities offered by modern medical progress.