Dry Eye Center
in Baton Rouge & Plaquemine, LA

Diagnosis and Treatment for Dry Eye  

Do you find that your eyes are often red and irritated? Do you feel a stinging or burning sensation in your eyes? These are some of the symptoms of dry eye disease, a widespread condition which can cause discomfort or even severe distress, depending on the case. Identifying the root cause of your dry eye is crucial to getting the treatment you need to relieve discomfort. At Southern Eye Centers in Baton Rouge, LA and Plaquemine, LA our skilled eye doctors have the expertise and diagnostic technology to properly diagnose and treat dry eye.

What is dry eye?   

Dry eye disease is a chronic and multifactorial condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of the tears is poor. Tears are essential for maintaining healthy eyes, providing moisture, nourishment, and protection against infection.  

What causes dry eye?    

The most common reason people develop dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is an inflammatory disorder of the meibomian glands in your eyelids, which produce lipids that coat your tears to prevent them from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or clogged with oil, it causes dry eye disease.   

Other causes of dry eye include:  

• Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, and menopause   
• Certain medications such as antihistamines and decongestants   
• Certain diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid problems  
• Blepharitis   
• Exposure to cold, smoke, and dry climates    
• Activities like driving, reading, computer use, or watching TV cause you to blink less often, and blinking less can also cause dry eye.  

What are the symptoms of dry eye?    

The most obvious symptom of dry eye syndrome is a burning sensation in the eyes. Other symptoms include:  

• Stinging or itching eyes   
• A scratchy or sandy feeling in your eyes    
• Increased sensitivity to light    
• Eye pain or redness    
• Stringy mucus or discharge from your eyes    
• Fluctuating vision     
• Although it may seem counterintuitive, watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye disease. When the eyes are dry, they may stimulate an excess production of tears as a protective mechanism, causing watery eyes. This paradoxical response is called reflex tearing and can lead to a cycle of dryness and watering. , when the eyes are dry, the tear film that covers the eye may be unstable, causing the tear Additionally s to evaporate too quickly, leading to a sensation of dryness and discomfort. In response, the eyes may produce more tears to try to compensate, resulting in watery eyes.  

How is dry eye diagnosed?

During a comprehensive eye exam at Southern Eye Centers, your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to diagnose dry eye disease. Tests may include evaluating your tear quality, volume, evaporation rate, and chemical composition. After the exam, your doctor will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs with the goal of minimizing discomfort and dryness.  

Antares corneal topographer 

Our experts use the latest technology to diagnose and manage dry eye, including the Antares corneal topographer. The Antares corneal topographer is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that allows our eye doctors to create a detailed, 3D map of your cornea, allowing us to identify any irregularities or abnormalities that could be a sign of dry eye disease. The process is quick and painless, requiring no anesthesia or downtime. 

Treatment for dry eye disease

Treatment for dry eye depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause(s). Dry eye can be temporary or chronic. If your dry eye is chronic, our optometrist can recommend treatments to help you maintain optimal eye health, reduce dryness, and discomfort, and prevent vision impairment.   

Common treatments for dry eye include:   

• Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation   
• Treating oil glands   
• Blinking exercises or proper eyelid hygiene   

If an infection is causing your dry eye symptoms, your eye doctor may also prescribe low-dose antibiotics. In more serious cases where other treatments are ineffective, surgery or therapy may be recommended.   

We also offer the following treatments for dry eye in our office:

LidPro

If symptoms of dry eye disease are due to anterior blepharitis, LidPro is the perfect tool and treatment to alleviate symptoms and treat the root cause of the dry eye.

OptiLight by Lumenis

At Southern Eye Centers in Baton Rouge, we use OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy to manage dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Using gentle pulses of light, this treatment targets a leading cause of dry eye, relieving discomfort and reducing inflammation.

Schedule an appointment at Southern Eye Centers

With proper care from an experienced professional, dry eye disease can be managed effectively so that you can enjoy comfortable vision. If you suffer from dry eye, our experts are here to help you determine the underlying cause and find lasting relief. Schedule an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam at our office today.