Dry Eye Center
Find lasting relief at our Dry Eye Center, where we specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic dry eye. We customize each treatment at our Dry Eye Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana, to address the specific nature of disorders that can affect various parts of the eye’s surface. The advanced technology available at Dr. Black’s Eye Associates enables our eye doctors to accurately diagnose the underlying causes of a patient’s dry, irritated, or painful eyes.
In fact, our facility is one of the only dry eye centers in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area equipped with a full range of diagnostic tools for ocular surface disease — which is one of the most common reasons for people to visit an eye doctor.
FAQs
When you visit one of our many locations in the Kentuckiana region, we first have you complete a questionnaire called a SPEED test. This typically takes only a couple of minutes and gives your eye doctor a baseline assessment to gauge the impact dry eye is having on your quality of life. After evaluating your eye’s surface with a special microscope, the doctor may recommend some additional tests before creating a specific treatment plan.
A variety of environmental and physical conditions can cause dry eyes, including aging, allergies, and tear abnormalities. Several autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s disease, thyroid disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to dry eyes. Additional causes include:
- Heating and air-conditioning
- Wind
- Smoke
- Dry weather
- Medication such as diuretics
- Eyelid problems
- Eyelid injuries
- Long periods of looking at a computer or reading
Our providers can assess the amount and quality of your tears to recommend an appropriate treatment.
Dry eye is a phrase that encompasses a number of unique diseases that each require a specific plan that can include one or more types of treatment. Our customized dry eye treatments are among the reasons so many men and women choose our Jeffersonville center.
LipiFlow®
Dry eye is the most common condition associated with ocular surface disease, and we use LipiFlow to gently open the blocked glands that are responsible for producing oil. Dry eye can occur when there isn’t sufficient oil in the tear film, which causes excessive tear evaporation.
LipiFlow is an FDA-cleared device that applies heat and gentle pressure to the blocked meibomian glands, which produce oil. This opens and clears the glands so that they may continue producing the oil needed for a healthy tear film.
Nutritionals
Oral supplements formulated to deliver a blend of key nutrients support a healthy tear film and may soothe the surface of the eye.
Artificial Tears
We may incorporate lubricating eye drops or gel into your treatment plan to moisten the eyes.
Medications
Prescription eye drops such as RESTASIS® may be used to control corneal inflammation. Antibiotics and steroids help fight bacteria and soothe inflammation that may be causing ocular surface issues.
Punctal Plugs
These tiny, biocompatible devices are inserted into the tear ducts to slow drainage and increase the eye’s tear film and surface moisture.
Amniotic Membranes
This is a small, soft, tissue placed on the surface of the eye to help heal ulcers, severe dry eye, and other persistent ocular surface conditions.
Broadband Light (BBL) for Ocular Rosacea
Broadband Light (BBL) is used to treat moderate to severe ocular rosacea. This light therapy is used to shut down the blood vessels and reduce the bacteria on the face and eyelids that cause inflammation and block glands, causing dry eye.
During a BBL treatment, special metal shields are applied to the eyes to protect them from the light energy.
This treatment requires special training to perform. At Dr. Black’s Eye Associates, we are proud to have 2 doctors who offer this treatment of ocular rosacea, Dr. Curtis Jordan and Dr. Jessica Pugh.
For best results, we recommend 3 sessions spaced 1 month apart.
When you see the doctor, be sure to tell them about any medical conditions you have, and any medications you use (especially eyedrops or antihistamines). If you wear contact lenses, you should tell the doctor what kind.
The doctor will look into your eyes through a special microscope called a slit lamp. This makes it possible for him to examine the tear film. Your doctor may also use eyedrops that contain a special dye, to help show him any dry spots.
Dry eye is often an ongoing problem that’s unlikely to go away on its own, depending on the cause. If you experience dry eyes, it’s a good idea to consult an eye doctor to assess the situation.
Yes, dry eye can cause vision problems. When the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the quality of the tears is poor, it can lead to several visual disturbances and discomfort. Here’s how dry eye can affect vision:
Blurry Vision:
- Tear Film Instability: The tear film is crucial for maintaining a smooth and clear ocular surface. Dry eye disrupts this tear film, leading to blurred or fluctuating vision.
- Mucous Strands: In dry eye conditions, mucous can accumulate on the surface of the eye, causing intermittent blurriness.
Light Sensitivity (Photophobia):
- Inflammation: Dry eyes can cause inflammation of the ocular surface, making the eyes more sensitive to light.
- Lack of Tear Protection: Tears normally help protect the eyes from bright lights and glare. Without sufficient tears, eyes may become more susceptible to light sensitivity.
Eye Fatigue:
- Strain and Discomfort: Dry eyes can cause constant irritation and strain, leading to eye fatigue, especially during activities that require prolonged visual attention, such as reading or using digital screens.
- Reduced Blinking: The discomfort from dry eyes can reduce the frequency of blinking, further exacerbating dryness and fatigue.
Difficulty with Night Vision:
- Poor Tear Film: Inadequate tear film can scatter light entering the eye, making it difficult to see clearly in low-light conditions, such as driving at night.
- Increased Glare: Dry eye can increase glare and halos around lights, making nighttime activities challenging.
Double Vision (Diplopia):
- Irregular Corneal Surface: Severe dry eye can lead to irregularities on the corneal surface, which can cause double vision or ghost images.
Increased Risk of Eye Infections:
- Compromised Defense: Tears play a key role in protecting the eyes from infections. Dry eyes can reduce this natural defense, increasing the risk of eye infections that can affect vision.
Persistent Discomfort:
- Pain and Irritation: Chronic dry eye can cause constant irritation, leading to a feeling of grittiness or a foreign body sensation, which can distract from clear vision.
- Increased Blink Reflex: The need to blink more frequently to compensate for dryness can disrupt vision and cause discomfort.
Impact on Quality of Life:
- Difficulty Performing Tasks: Severe dry eye can interfere with daily activities such as reading, using a computer, or driving.
- Reduced Productivity: Chronic discomfort and visual disturbances from dry eye can decrease overall productivity and quality of life.
Addressing dry eye early and effectively is important not only for comfort but also for maintaining clear and stable vision. If you experience persistent symptoms of dry eye, seek advice from an eye care professional to manage the condition and protect your vision.
Ocular surface disease can be broadly defined as a group of disorders that affect various parts of the eye’s surface. Dry eye is among these disorders and is one of the most common.
To remain comfortable, your eyes need to be lubricated, or bathed, with tears. Normally, there is always a film of these ‘basal’ tears on the surface of the eyes. But if your eyes don’t produce enough basal tears, the surface becomes irritated. This is what is known as “dry eye” syndrome.
Other disorders related to ocular surface disease, such as inflammation and allergies, also result in tear film dysfunction or damages to the eye’s surface. Symptoms and signs of the disorders contributing to ocular surface disease may include eye discomfort, burning, fatigue, fluctuating visual acuity, infection, ulceration, scarring of the eye’s surface, and possible loss of vision.
ur doctors determine whether you are suffering from dry eye specifically or another ocular surface condition. They then identify and lead you down the right treatment path for you.