What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry Eye Syndrome is a chronic, multifactorial condition that affects the surface of the eye. It occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the tears produced are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly.

Tears are essential for maintaining a healthy, comfortable ocular surface and clear vision. When this balance is disrupted, the patient experiences significant discomfort and, in severe cases, corneal damage.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

If you regularly experience one or more of these symptoms, you likely have dry eye:

• Foreign body sensation (like having sand in your eye).
• Burning or itching.
• Redness of the eye.
• Blurred or fluctuating vision (especially at the end of the day).
• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia). Excessive tearing (an eye response to irritation caused by dryness).

Types of Treatments for Dry Eye

Dry eye requires a stepped and personalized treatment plan, as the causes vary among patients:

1. Tear Replacement and Moisturizing Therapy

Artificial Tears: The first step is the regular use of artificial tears and lubricating gels, preferably preservative-free.

Autologous Serum: Customized drops prepared with the patient’s own blood, containing growth factors that help repair the damaged ocular surface.

2. Treatment of Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory Drops: Use of cyclosporine or topical corticosteroids under strict medical supervision to control the underlying chronic inflammation that often accompanies dry eye.

Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): The Meibomian glands produce the oily layer of the tear film. Treatment includes eyelid hygiene, heat and massage, and often advanced procedures such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or LipiFlow to unblock these glands.

3. Conservative Surgical Treatments

Punta Occlusion: Insertion of small silicone or collagen punctal plugs into the drainage ducts to retain tears and artificial drops on the surface of the eye for a longer period.

4. Advanced Ocular Surface Treatments

Therapeutic Contact Lenses (Scleral Lenses): Specialized lenses that create a constant reservoir of fluid between the lens and the cornea, keeping the eye moist and protected in severe cases.

Who is a good candidate?

Anyone experiencing chronic eye discomfort that is temporarily relieved by artificial tears, or who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (such as Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis), or who experiences discomfort while wearing contact lenses, is a good candidate for advanced evaluation.

What to expect during the process?

Comprehensive Diagnosis: We will use specialized tests to measure the quality and quantity of your tears (such as the Schirmer test, tear breakup time, and tear osmolarity). Your Meibomian glands will also be evaluated.

Action Plan: An individualized treatment plan will be developed, often combining at-home therapies and in-office treatments.

Ongoing Management: Dry eye is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Your follow-up visits will be crucial for adjusting treatment based on your eye’s response.