Living with chronic dry eye can be challenging, affecting everything from your work to your everyday activities. Chronic dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when your tears are poor quality. This can lead to discomfort, redness, and a persistent feeling of grittiness or burning in your eyes. Factors like aging, environmental conditions, screen time, medical conditions, and certain medications can all contribute to dry eyes.
While over-the-counter artificial tear drops can provide temporary relief, they may not address the underlying cause of the issue. At Family Eye Care in Bristol, CT, our first step is to conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the underlying cause of your dry eye. From there, we can create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Prescription eye drops
If you have severe or persistent dry eye symptoms, our team may recommend prescription eye drops. These eye drops can help reduce inflammation and increase tear production to provide much-needed relief.
Punctal plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices that block tear ducts, allowing your tears to stay on the eye’s surface longer. This quick in-office procedure provides immediate and lasting relief for many patients.
Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST)
This gentle procedure cleanses your eyelids and eyelashes, removing debris and bacteria that can cause inflammation and dryness. The ZEST procedure uses a natural, plant-based formula that’s both effective and soothing, helping to restore the health of your eyelids and improve tear production. The procedure is quick and painless, requiring no downtime. Many patients notice a significant improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment.
Lifestyle changes
Our dry eye specialists in Bristol may also suggest lifestyle changes and home remedies to manage your dry eye symptoms. This could include avoiding environmental factors that worsen dryness, such as smoke or windy conditions, staying hydrated throughout the day, using a humidifier in indoor spaces with low humidity levels, and taking regular breaks from screen time to reduce eye strain.
Don’t let chronic dry eye interfere with your daily life any longer. Visit Family Eye Care in Bristol, CT, for personalized treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Schedule an appointment today, and let us help you see and feel your best.