Get Relief from Dry Eye
Dry eye is a common condition that disrupts the tear film in your eye, which is responsible for lubricating the surface of your eyes. Without an adequate tear film, you may experience irritation, redness, or watery eyes.
We understand the cycle of discomfort can be frustrating, and you may even start to feel self-conscious about the appearance of your eyes.
Dry eye is one of our many specialties; with our innovative technology, we’ll help you find a solution.
Ready to find the relief you’ve been looking for? Schedule an appointment with us today!
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Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye can cause a variety of uncomfortable sensations in your eyes that could later affect your vision if left untreated. These are some common symptoms to watch out for:
- Red or irritated eyes
- Consistent burning or tingling sensations in the eyes
- Eyes that feel itchy or as if they have something in them
- Increased light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing or watery eyes
- Vision changes throughout the day
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye falls into 2 main categories: evaporative dry eye and aqueous deficient dry eye.
With evaporative dry eye, your eyes are not producing enough oil, leading to your tears evaporating quickly. On the other hand, when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, that is known as aqueous deficient dry eye.
In some cases, dry eye can be caused by environmental irritants or short-term inflammation. Underlying health issues such as Sjogren’s Syndrome, diabetes, lupus, thyroid issues, and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause dry eye. Other common causes could be:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction
- Blepharitis
- Allergies
- Defects that affect the eyelid or shape of the eye
- Certain medications
Dry Eye Testing
Lifetime Optometric uses a suite of reliable technology to effectively and accurately diagnose dry eye. Not only can we determine the type of dry eye you have, but our technology also allows us to develop a treatment plan best suited for your situation.
Oculus Keratograph
Many dry eye patients suffer from meibomian gland dysfunction, a condition where the glands in your eyelids don’t produce the oil needed for a healthy tear film. The oculus keratograph lets us detect meibomian gland dysfunction by capturing an image of tear glands in your eyelids.
Sjö Test (Sjögren’s syndrome)
For some people, dry eye may be a symptom of an autoimmune disease. For this reason, you may be asked to take the Sjö test. This is a simple blood test that can be done at any laboratory.
Omega-3 Blood Index
The omega-3 blood index is a finger prick test that evaluates your omega-3 levels to determine whether or not you have a deficiency.
Omega-3s might play a role in improving the oil quality in your tear film and may also fight irritation with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Take Our Dry Eye Quiz
At Lifetime Optometric, we offer a quick and easy dry eye quiz to help assess your symptoms and determine if you’re suffering from dry eye. By answering a few simple questions, you can gain insights into your eye health and take the first step toward relief.
Take our dry eye quiz today and let our team provide you with personalized treatment options to soothe your symptoms and restore your comfort.
Treatment Options
At Lifetime Optometric, we don’t only treat dry eye symptoms. Our goal is to get to the root cause so you never have to feel discomfort again. To arrive at an accurate diagnosis, we’ll first understand your medical history and perform a slit lamp exam. This will help us determine the most effective solution for your dry eye. Treatment methods can vary depending on the patient, and some typical treatments could include:
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
Lifetime Optometric is the first office in Central California to offer Optilight by Lumenis, the only FDA-approved IPL treatment for dry eyes. IPL helps target the root cause of dry eye by using light energy to gently heat your eyelids to melt and unblock any debris that may be trapped in your meibomian glands. The release allows your glands to produce oil more easily and reduces inflammation, helping to provide you relief.
Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST)
ZEST is a deep-cleaning treatment for your eyes, using an okra-based gel to exfoliate your eyelids, remove debris, and eliminate bacteria. The exfoliation helps to unclog your meibomian glands, reducing irritation and improving dry eye symptoms.
Other Treatments
- Prescription Eye Drops: Help to fight against inflammation.
- Nutritional Supplements: Can provide support for long-term management of dry eye.
- Punctal Plugs: Can help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly via tiny plugs that are carefully placed in your tear drainage duct.
- Moisture Goggles: Can help block wind, dust, and other environmental triggers for dry eye via protective eyewear.
LipiFlow
Our LipiFlow treatment involves heating your glands and providing a therapeutic eyelid massage to clear any blockages in your meibomian glands. The procedure is 12 minutes long and is done while the patient relaxes in a comfy chair.
Biologic Corneal Bandages
Typically used for severe cases of dry eye, biologic corneal bandages are a layer of amniotic membrane from a human placenta placed on the cornea. The membrane’s properties help promote healing, reduce inflammation, and stabilize the tear film.
Your Dry Eye Solution Starts Here
Ready to take control of your dry eye symptoms and find a lasting solution? Schedule a consultation with us to learn more.
Book AppointmentOur Location
We’re located inside The Atrium office plaza on E Herndon Ave, with building and parking access from E Warner Ave.
Our Address
- 1111 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101
- Fresno, CA 93720
Contact Information
- Phone: 559-432-2200
- Fax: 559-432-2203
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
- Monday*: 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday*: 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday*: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday*: 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday**: 8:15 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
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*Closed for lunch 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Monday to Thursday.
**Closed for lunch 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM on Friday.
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General Inquiries
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Lifetime Optometric
- 1111 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101
- Fresno, CA 93720
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P: 559-432-2200
F: 559-432-2203
[email protected]