Do you have dry eye?
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people visit an eye doctor. Symptoms include:
- A gritty, sandy or burning feeling
- Red or tired eyes, especially by the end of the day
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Watery eyes
- Trouble wearing contact lenses
- Eyes that feel worse after screen time, driving or reading
Finding the cause
Dry eye is not just one problem. Some people don’t make enough tears. Many more have tears that dry up too fast, often because tiny oil glands in the eyelids are blocked. Allergies, medicines, screens, hormones and contact lenses can all play a part.
At a dry eye visit, we look closely at your tears, your eyelids and the front of your eye. That tells us what kind of dry eye you have and what is causing it.
Treatment tailored to you
Your plan depends on what we find. It may include:
- The right kind of eye drops, from the store or by prescription
- Treatment for your eyelids and oil glands
- IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, done right here in our office
- Warm compresses and lid care at home
- Changes to your contact lenses or screen habits
We check how it’s going and adjust as needed.
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It is an in-office treatment for the most common kind of dry eye, where the oil glands in your eyelids are blocked.
During a treatment, soft pulses of light are applied to the skin below your eyes while your eyes are covered with shields. The light gently warms and loosens the blocked oil in your eyelid glands. It also calms the redness and swelling that keep the glands from working well. Afterward, your tears hold more oil, so they stay on your eyes longer.
- Quick: each session takes only a few minutes of light treatment.
- No downtime: you can drive and go back to your day right after.
- A series works best: most people have a few sessions a few weeks apart, then a touch-up now and then.
IPL isn’t right for everyone. Dr. Berger will check whether it suits your eyes and skin. It is usually not covered by insurance, so we’ll go over the cost with you before you decide.
Screens make it worse
When you look at a screen, you blink far less than usual, and your tears dry up between blinks. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Keep your screen a little below eye level, and don’t point air vents at your face.
Dry eye and contact lenses
If your contacts bother you by mid-afternoon, treating your dry eye can often get you back to wearing them all day. Sometimes a different lens, such as a daily disposable or a scleral lens, makes a big difference.
Tired of drops that don't help?
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Frequently asked questions
Why are my eyes watery if I have dry eye?
When your tears are poor quality, your eyes get irritated and make a flood of extra tears. These watery tears don't coat the eye well, so the dryness goes on.
Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?
A dry eye visit is often billed to your medical insurance, not your vision plan. We'll check your coverage before your visit. Some dry eye tests and treatments are not covered by insurance. If you need one of these, we will let you know before we do it, so there are no surprises.
Can dry eye be cured?
Dry eye is usually long-term. But with the right treatment, most people get lasting relief and stop thinking about their eyes all day.
Why does Colorado make dry eye worse?
Our air is dry, the altitude is high and the wind can be strong. All of that makes tears dry up faster. Heating in winter and air conditioning in summer add to it.
Does IPL hurt?
Most people find it comfortable. You may feel a quick warm snap with each flash of light. Your eyes are covered with shields the whole time.
Should I book a dry eye visit or a regular eye exam?
If dry, irritated eyes are your main problem, book a dry eye visit. If you are also due for new glasses or a full check of your eye health, a comprehensive eye exam may be the better start. Not sure? Call or text us and we'll help you choose.