Find Customized Solutions to Treat Your Dry Eye Symptoms
Millions of Americans live with dry eyes. It’s not just uncomfortable but can actually cause damage if left untreated for a long time.Â
At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kenneth Weinlander, MD, diagnoses dry eye disease and its underlying cause before providing customized treatment to relieve your symptoms. Call Milwaukee Eye Surgeons or schedule an appointment online today if you’re troubled by dry, itchy eyes or need other eye care services.
What Are Dry Eyes?
Dry eye is a condition that develops when you don’t produce enough high-quality tears to keep your eyes clean and moisturized. Your tears have three layers — oil, water, and mucus — that all perform different jobs. If any of those layers are missing, you can develop dry eye symptoms.
Cases of dry eyes cause various uncomfortable symptoms, including:
- Stinging or burning feelings
- Scratchy or gritty feeling, like something is in your eye
- Red or irritated eyes
- Watery eyes
- Contact lenses are uncomfortable
- Wake up with strings of mucus or crust around your eyes
When left untreated, dry eyes can cause corneal damage and long-term vision problems. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should make an appointment with Dr. Weinlander at Milwaukee Eye Surgeons for an exam.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Your risk of developing dry eyes increases with age. Women who have reached menopause are also more likely to have dry eyes. Conditions that can cause dry eyes include:
- Blepharitis
- Entropion
- Wearing contacts for too long
- Graft versus host disease
- Many chemotherapeutic medications
You can also develop dry eyes as a symptom of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and lupus. Medications, including diuretics, beta-blockers, and allergy and cold medicine, can also cause dry eye symptoms.
Different Types of Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease has different types, with the two main categories including:
Aqueous Tear-Deficient Dry Eye
Aqueous tear-deficient dry eye is caused by insufficient tear production, meaning your eyes don't make enough tears to maintain a healthy tear film and keep your eye surface lubricated.
Evaporative Dry Eye
Evaporative dry eye is caused not by lack of tears but by poor tear quality. Generally, this type of dry eye disease means there's not enough oil in your tears. In many cases, this is tied to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). With MGD, the tiny meibomian glands above and below your eyes become blocked and unable to release oils. This leaves you with overly watery tears that evaporate too fast.
What To Expect From Dry Eye Disease Testing
Dr. Weinlander performs a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate your tear production, tear quality, and the health of your eyelids and cornea. Tests may include:
- Tear breakup time: Measures how quickly your tears evaporate.
- Schirmer's test: Assesses the volume of your tear production.
- Staining tests: Pinpoints areas of dryness on the surface of the eye.
Dry Eye Treatment Options
Dr. Weinlander provides comprehensive exams and testing to identify the root cause of your dry eye symptoms. In many cases, Dr. Weinlander prescribes eye drops or punctal plugs to treat dry eyes. Eye drops relieve your symptoms, and punctal plugs help to preserve your tears.
Dr. Weinlander has extensive fellowship training in difficult-to-treat eye diseases and experience with recalcitrant dry eye treatments. He can also identify host diseases like autoimmune conditions that cause dry eyes.
Call Milwaukee Eye Surgeons today or make an appointment online for expert diagnosis and customized treatment for dry eye syndrome.
Dry Eyes Q & A
Dry eye disease is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Dr. Weinlander will evaluate your tear production and quality, as well as examine your eyelids and the surface of your eyes.
Preventing dry eyes involves several proactive measures and lifestyle changes, including:
- Staying hydrated
- Taking regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain
- Using a humidifier to add moisture to dry environments
- Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from wind, dust, and UV rays
- Blinking more often
- Avoiding smoking and smoke exposure
- Using artificial tears to maintain lubrication
- Including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
- Positioning your computer screen below eye level
- Avoiding direct airflow from fans or air conditioning units
- Keeping your eyelids clean
Yes, dry eyes can be a symptom of underlying health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and lupus. Dr. Weinlander can help identify these conditions during your evaluation.
The effectiveness of dry eye treatments can vary depending on the severity of your condition and the type of treatment used. Some patients may experience relief within a few days, while others may take several weeks to notice significant improvement.
Yes, but it's important to choose the right type of contact lenses. Dr. Weinlander can recommend lenses designed specifically for dry eyes, as well as provide tips on proper lens care to minimize discomfort.
Fortunately, many modern treatments for dry eye disease can address the specific underlying cause of your symptoms and help you feel better without surgery in most cases.
We always recommend non-surgical approaches first, including home remedies like warm compresses and nutritional supplements, often alongside medical treatments like:
- Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops to maintain moisture.
- Prescription Eye Drops: Medications like Restasis® or Xiidra® can reduce inflammation.
- Treatment of Underlying Condition: If you have an underlying condition, like an autoimmune disease, treating that condition is usually the first step in resolving symptoms.
- Punctal Plugs: Tiny devices, made of soft silicone, collagen, or other substances, that Dr. Weinlander places within tear ducts to retain moisture. Some dissolve over time, while others remain in place until removal.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): In-office procedure that gently heats the meibomian glands to help them release clogged oils.
In rare cases, when none of these options are effective, Dr. Weinlander might discuss the possibility of dry eye disease surgery with you. However, surgical procedures for dry eye disease are usually minimally invasive, and we office office-based surgery for your comfort and convenience.
Although there's no permanent cure for dry eye disease, medical management offers effective long-term relief so that dry eye disease doesn't disrupt your lifestyle or quality of life.
Untreated, dry eye disease can lead to blurred or fluctuating vision. Severe cases may cause corneal damage, which could impact your long-term vision. Seeking early treatment is important to prevent complications.
Prolonged screen use can worsen symptoms because people blink less when staring at screens. Try the 20-20-20 rule to reduce strain: Look away from the screen every 20 minutes. Focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Other helpful tips include adjusting your screen height to just under your eye level, which helps you avoid looking upward too much (this dries your eyes out.)
Yes, allergies can worsen dry eye symptoms by causing inflammation and irritation. If you suspect allergies are contributing to your dry eyes, Dr. Weinlander can recommend appropriate treatments that target both your allergies and dry eyes.
Yes, contact lenses designed for dry eyes, such as scleral or silicone hydrogel, can provide comfort and help maintain eye hydration.
Without treatment, dry eye disease can progress, leading to chronic discomfort and potential complications such as corneal damage. Early intervention is key to preventing worsening symptoms.
Omega-3 fatty acids, like those in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed, can help improve tear quality and reduce inflammation associated with dry eye disease.
Why Choose Milwaukee Eye Surgeons?
At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons, we provide compassionate, state-of-the-art eye care to the Southeast Wisconsin community. Led by Dr. Kenneth Weinlander, a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea specialist, our practice offers a wide range of advanced treatments.
Dr. Weinlander brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our practice. With a background that includes serving on the faculty of Duke University Eye Center and extensive training at prestigious institutions, Dr. Weinlander is dedicated to providing exceptional care. His passion for education and research has led him to teach advanced surgical techniques globally and contribute to numerous publications in the field of ophthalmology. You can trust Milwaukee Eye Surgeons to always prioritize excellence, innovation, and your eye health.
Don't Let Finances Stop You
We understand that the cost of eye care can be a concern. That's why we offer financing through Alphaeon Credit. This option allows you to manage the expenses of your treatments with payment plans that fit your budget. Alphaeon Credit provides flexible terms and competitive rates, making it easier for you to access the high-quality eye care you need without financial stress.
You can also view our insurance providers, which may help out with the cost of eye care.
Get Professional Help for Dry Eye Symptoms
Don't let dry eyes affect your quality of life. At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons, Dr. Kenneth Weinlander offers expert diagnoses and customized treatment plans to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms. Whether it's prescribing eye drops, using punctal plugs, or identifying underlying health conditions, we're here to help.
Call us today at 414-377-5550 or schedule an appointment online. Reach out to see the difference compassionate eye care can make!
