Dry Eye Treatment

State-of-the-Art Dry Eye Treatment for Lasting Relief

Having persistent red, irritated, gritty eyes can not only be annoying but also downright disruptive to your life. You’ve probably tried drops, warm compresses, and other over-the-counter remedies, yet nothing seems to provide lasting relief.

At Mascoutah Eye Care, we’re proud to offer Envision by Inmode, a revolutionary, non-invasive dry eye treatment that targets the root of the problem and enhances eye comfort. If you’ve spent months or even years trying to find a solution, the search is finally over. Schedule an initial consultation to learn if you’re a candidate for treatment.

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Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Dry eye often stems from meibomian gland dysfunction. The meibomian glands of the eyes are responsible for secreting the necessary oil that makes up the outer layer of the tear film. This oily layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. When the glands become blocked or stop working properly, your tears evaporate faster, drying out the surface of the eye, causing symptoms like:

  • A stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
  • Eye redness
  • Watery eyes
  • Mucus or mattering in or around your eyes
  • A feeling that you have something stuck in your eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurry vision
  • Recurring styes and chilazions
  • Trouble wearing contact lenses

Left untreated, your meibomian glands can die off, leading to chronic discomfort, eye scarring, infections that keep coming back, and reduced visual acuity. Early detection and intervention are paramount to prevent significant damage.

Why Artificial Tears and Other Treatments Act as a Bandage

Eye drops and warm compresses are good at helping soothe the eyes relatively quickly, however, they only provide short-term relief. These treatments have to be reapplied regularly to continue reaping the benefits, which can become inconvenient and tedious.

Over-the-counter remedies also don’t always treat the underlying cause of your dry eye. Artificial tears mimic natural tears, for example, but no amount of drops will unclog the eyes’ oil glands. What’s needed is a solution that targets the core issue, not just the symptoms.

How We Treat Dry Eye

Our Envision by Inmode system is an in-office, no-downtime dry eye treatment that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency (RF) technology to calm inflammation and restore healthy tear production.

We start with IPL, which involves delivering rapid and focused pulses of light to the skin around the eyes. Special goggles will be provided to shield your eyes from the bright light, and a layer of gel will be spread over the treatment area. During the treatment, you may feel a mild tingling sensation, which most patients describe as a slight rubber band snap.

After IPL, we’ll continue stimulating the meibomian glands through radiofrequency therapy. A certified technician will use a handheld instrument to apply gentle heat along the upper and lower eyelids that’s similar to a warm massage. This process typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes before the final step of treatment: gland expression.

Gland expression entails using controlled pressure to release the meibomian glands’ thick, trapped oils. Because we’ve first softened the oils with light and thermal energy, we can more effectively clear any blockages and encourage natural flow.

Most patients require a total of four dry eye treatment sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. You may notice improvement after just one or two visits, but adhering to the full treatment plan ensures longer-lasting effects. Following the initial series of treatments, some patients may find maintenance appointments beneficial every six to 12 months.

Experience Dry Eye Relief Like Never Before

Don’t let your dry eye symptoms define you. Enjoy clear, comfortable vision with IPL and RF treatment at Mascoutah Eye Care. Our commitments to personalized care and cutting-edge technology allow us to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Call (618) 566-8899 to speak to a member of our friendly staff for more information or to book your first treatment session.

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