Home / TearCare Treatment for Dry Eyes
If your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or if your tears evaporate too quickly, the result is likely to a common condition known as dry eyes. If you have dry eyes, you are all too familiar with the discomfort associated with it and possibly the other problems it can cause, such as fluctuating or blurry vision, itching, grittiness. If you have dry eyes, some of the symptoms that you may experience include:
- Stinging, burning, or itchy eyes
- Foreign body sensation
- Light sensitivity
- Red eyes
- Difficulty driving at night
- Discomfort with wearing contact lenses
- Watery eyes (your body’s response to the irritation caused by dry eyes)
- Blurry vision
In most cases, the cause of dry eyes is a lack of adequate tears or increased tear evaporation. However, there are many potential reasons that these issues may occur, such as:
- Aging
- Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or hormone replacement therapy
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, or thyroid disorders
- Damage to the tear glands
- Exposure to smoke, wind, or dry air
- Inadequate blinking (for example, when you’re concentrating on reading or computer work)
What Is TearCare?
TearCare is a unique tool used to apply heat to the eyelids to correct the problems caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibomian glands are oil glands located along the edges of the eyelids near the eyelashes. These glands produce an oil that is an important component of tears, helping prevent them from evaporating too quickly. MGD is another common cause of dry eyes, but only your eye doctor can tell you for sure if that’s the cause of your condition.
The TearCare system is one of the latest treatments available to offer relief for people with MGD and other forms of dry eyes. This wearable eyelid device applies gentle heat directly to the meibomian glands to remove blockages, liquefy the meibum, and help stimulate the production of tears.
How It Works
The TearCare treatment involves the use of two flexible eyelid devices that are placed on the upper and lower eyelids. These devices are made of a soft, comfortable material that conforms to the natural shape of the eye. Unlike many other treatment methods, during your TearCare treatment, your eyes will remain open and blinking normally. The process takes just a few minutes, and TearCare is safe and effective. The devices feature temperature sensors that ensure even heat distribution. The devices and the patient are also monitored carefully throughout the procedure. Possible but unlikely side effects of TearCare include corneal abrasion, styes, eyelid swelling, allergic reactions, and conjunctivitis. However, these are rare, and most people do not experience any complications and achieve optimal results.
TearCare How It Works (Video)
At Miami Contact Lens Institute, we are proud to offer TearCare as one of the treatments we can provide for dry eyes. We also provide scleral contact lenses, another highly effective and popular treatment for dry eyes and some of the conditions that can cause this symptom. If you have noticed troublesome symptoms such as itchy or burning eyes, a feeling of something in your eye, or blurry vision, get in touch with us today to get to the bottom of the issue and find the right treatment for you.