There are many ways you can help improve your dry eye symptoms. Keep reading to learn if warm compresses are worth it!

What Causes Dry Eye?

In a healthy eye, there’s a balance of moisture thanks to tear production. Tears lubricate the eye and reduce the chance of infection.

With every blink, a tear film spreads over your eye, washing away particles and keeping the surface smooth and protected. 

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

The most common cause of dry eye is MGD or meibomian gland dysfunction. Inside your eyelid are tiny glands called meibomian glands. They produce a liquid that protects the tear film. 

When the meibomian gland becomes clogged, it can’t release that protective liquid. That’s when dry eye occurs. 

The lids of your eyes can become dry and crusty, and the eyelash follicles can collect debris, making you even more uncomfortable.

Who is at Risk For Dry Eye?

Contact lens wearers, those who spend a lot of time on personal devices, postmenopausal women, and individuals with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are all at greater risk for dry eye. Certain medications, like beta blockers and antihistamines, can make you more prone to MGD. 

Seasonal allergies, as well as dry and windy conditions can contribute to the problem.

How Warm Compresses Help

Heat and moisture can not only soothe irritated eyelids but can help to loosen debris and ease blockages. A heated eye mask worn for a period of time can increase hydration of the eyelids and improve oil production in the tear film.

If you choose to try a heated eye mask, these are typically heated to a recommended temperature in a microwave and applied for ten to fifteen minutes. Studies have shown that they can provide relief for those with mild-to-moderate MGD. 

Heat and moisture from a washcloth soaked in water, wrung out, and placed over your eyes is also soothing. It can also help keep your eye moist. 

As with an eye mask, wear the warm compress over your eyes for ten to fifteen minutes. This can be done morning and night. 

Treating MGD with LipiFlow

Until recently, treatment for dry eye was difficult and not always effective. In some cases, at-home treatment methods like warm compresses may not adequately improve your symptoms.

Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest may suggest a recent development in the treatment of dry eye and MGD: the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. It’s a completely non-invasive procedure that uses therapeutic heat, and eyelid massage therapy to ease blockages. 

LipiFlow is a medical device that heats up and massages the blockages. This treatment can be performed in minutes during an office visit.

Using Vector Thermal Pulsation technology, your eye doctor will apply heat and pressure to the blocked glands. This massage-like procedure will liquefy and clear the obstructions that cause dry eye symptoms.

If warm compresses are helping you to feel comfortable, use them to manage your dry eye. But if they’re not providing enough relief, ask your eye doctor about LipiFlow. 

Are you tired of dealing with the symptoms of dry eye on your own? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!

The post Dry Eye Relief: Are Warm Compresses Worth It? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Syndrome are not the same, but they are closely related. Keep reading to learn more about meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye, including how they are related!

What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?

Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, is a condition in which the glands in your eyelids that produce oil to help your tears lubricate your eyes become clogged. Oil is a necessary component of healthy tears.

Without oil, evaporation occurs faster, and your eyes become dryer.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome, or DES, is a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears produced are of poor quality, leading to dryness and discomfort in the eyes. While MGD is not the only cause of DES, it is a common underlying factor. 

Understanding how tears protect your eye health is important to understanding how to maintain moisture in the eye. 

Why Do Tears Matter?

When your eye is healthy, the right balance of moisture is maintained. Tears are essential for maintaining moisture and, thus, the health of the eye. 

They lubricate the eye and reduce the chance of eye infection. Tears also wash away particles in the eye and keep the eye’s surface smooth.

What Do the Meibomian Glands Do?

Lipids are produced by meibomian glands in the eyelid. When you blink, pressure on the glands causes lipids to release.

Also, each time you blink, a film of tears spreads over your eye. This tear film is what keeps your vision clear and bright and nourishes and protects the eye. 

What’s in the Tear Film?

A healthy eye is sufficiently lubricated with healthy tears eye. Dry eye is when your eyes aren’t able to produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to maintain eye health.

Good quality tears have enough lipid, or oil, to lubricate the surface of the eye. Other components of healthy tears are mucin and aqueous, which comprise other layers of the tear film.

The oily layer smooths the surface of the tear and keeps tears from evaporating. This oily layer is produced by the meibomian glands of the eye.

When it’s blocked, this can affect tear production. This is known as MGD or Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

The watery layer is what we think of when we think of tears. It bathes and cleans the eye, washing away dirt and foreign particles. 

This watery layer is produced by the lacrimal glands in the eyelid. The mucus layer is sticky and keeps the eye’s surface moist by spreading the watery layer evenly across the eye. 

This mucus layer is produced by the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a clear tissue that covers the whites of your eye and the inside of your eyelids.

Changes in Tear Production

When tears flow normally, and tear production is steady, eye health is maintained. However, tear production changes as we age. 

When normal tear production slows down, or the quality of the tears is lacking, dry eye syndrome develops. Wind and dry climates can also cause tears to evaporate quickly, also leading to dry eye. 

With DES, your eyes can appear red, feel scratchy as if there’s grit or particles in them, itch and irritate you, and water excessively. A comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor will determine next steps for treating your dry, irritated eyes. 

Finding the root cause of your symptoms, whether it is MGD or not, will help them create a treatment plan to improve your symptoms.

Are you experiencing symptoms of dry eye syndrome or meibomian gland dysfunction? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!

The post Are Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Dry Eye Syndrome the Same Thing? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Keep reading to learn the keys to dry eye management and treatment!

What Is Dry Eye? 

Dry eye occurs when your eye cannot produce enough tears or tears of adequate quality to maintain eye health. Dry eye management aims to support quality tear production and provide lubrication when natural tears are insufficient. 

You may be able to manage dry eye symptoms on your own initially. However, eventually, treatment by an eye care professional may be necessary.

Not all tears are created equal. Good quality tears have enough lipid or oil to lubricate the eye’s surface.

Meibomian glands produce lipids in the eyelid. Lipids prevent evaporation of the eye’s natural moisture.

When the meibomian glands are blocked, they don’t produce enough lipids to protect the eye. An oil insufficiency in tears will worsen their quality, causing increased tearing, a gritty feeling, and eye discomfort.

MGD, or meibomian gland dysfunction, is one of the most common causes of dry eye. 

Dry Eye Management of Milder Cases

There are several methods you can try to improve your symptoms if you have a milder case of dry eye. It is best to ask your eye doctor which treatment they recommend.

Lubricating Eye Drops

Over-the-counter artificial tears are often the first thing most people turn to in an effort to improve dry eye symptoms. These fluids supplement your own tears and help keep your eye moist and ease discomfort.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking water throughout the day will hydrate you and your eyes. It’s a good thing for your eyes and your whole body. 

Frequent Blinking

You naturally blink less when you’re on a computer or mobile device. Without frequent blinking, your eyes will dry out.

Take frequent breaks away from your screen and stop work to blink for a few seconds.

Warm Compresses

A simple home remedy is heat and moisture from a washcloth soaked in warm water and applied to your eyes. It can help release those essential lipids that keep your eye moist and prevent evaporation.

Eyelid Scrubs

Keeping your eyelids clean and free of debris and crusty deposits can help improve your symptoms. Especially if you wear eye makeup, thoroughly scrub your eyelids and between your eyelash follicles. 

Over-the-counter cleansing eye gels and eye wipes can soothe your eyelids and scrub away build-up that can worsen dry eye. 

Dry Eye Vitamin Supplements 

Dry eye vitamins typically contain omega-3 fatty acids and other vital nutrients that support the production of lipids by the meibomian glands. Your eye doctor may also recommend increasing your flaxseed oils and fish oil intake.

Always check with your healthcare professional before adding any new supplements to your diet. 

Dry Eye Treatment at EyeHealth Northwest

Once discomfort with dry eye interferes with your daily life, EyeHealth Northwest’s dry eye specialists will discuss treatments that can help.

Punctal Plugs 

Punctal plugs are tiny silicone plugs inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage. These devices can improve your eye’s tear film, which enhances surface moisture. 

Prescription Medications 

When over-the-counter drops do not improve your symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend starting prescription eye drops. These drops can decrease eyelid inflammation and stimulate tears.

The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System 

The LipiFlow treatment is a single procedure that removes blockages in the meibomian glands. By heating them from the inside, blockages are liquified. 

Gentle pressure applied outside the lid removes the liquified blockages and flushes dead cells away. The LipiFlow treatment can help your eyes to resume their natural production of protective lipids. 

Are you interested in learning more about the keys to dry eye management and treatment? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Hillsboro, OR, today!

The post What Are The Keys to Dry Eye Management and Treatment? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Keep reading to learn about dry eye syndrome and determine if LipiFlow is right for you.

 What is Dry Eye Syndrome? 

Chronic dry eyes, also called dry eye syndrome, cause eye irritation, and inflammation. It is a prevalent and treatable condition that is due to inadequate hydration of your eyes.

If your eyes are always dry and itchy, you could have dry eye syndrome. Luckily, there are various lifestyle changes and treatments you can use to treat dry eyes.

Why Do Dry Eyes Occur? 

Anyone can develop dry eye syndrome at any age, but it is more common for women to have dry eyes. There are a few different reasons why you may develop dry eyes.

Some include extended screen use, your environment, contact lenses, and allergies. But inadequate tear production is the most common cause of dry eye syndrome.

When you have dry eyes, you can over or underproduce tears. If you are overproducing tears but still have dry eyes, your tears are lacking a vital ingredient.

Your tears are made of water, oil, and mucus. Low-quality tears do not hydrate your eyes but instead cause dehydration.

Usually, this happens because they do not have enough oil in them. Water and mucus are what hydrate and keep your eyes healthy.

The oil prevents the mucus and water from evaporating. If your tears evaporate too quickly, your eyes become dehydrated.

What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye? 

There is an entire range of dry eye syndrome symptoms beyond just dry eyes. These symptoms include:

• A burning sensation in your eyes
• Feeling like there is grit or something stuck in your eye
• Underproduction or overproduction of tears
• Tired eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Red eyes
• Difficulty driving at night
• Wearing contacts is uncomfortable
• Eye pain
• Blurry vision

Itchy eyes are usually because of allergies. If you have itchy eyes from allergies, any of these dry eye symptoms can worsen your allergy symptoms.

Itchy and dry eyes can be a frustrating combination. The itchiness should be taken care of by your tears. But when your tears don’t keep your eyes hydrated, they can’t prevent the itchiness, and an uncomfortable cycle begins.

What are the Treatments for Dry Eyes?

There are numerous treatment options for dry eye. Some include drinking more water, prescription eye drops, artificial tears, and plugs for your tear ducts. All these treatments increase the amount of fluid in your eyes.

Another treatment for your dry eyes is LipiFlow. LipiFlow treats the lack of oil in your tears.

Is LipiFlow the Best Treatment for Your Dry Eyes?

 LipiFlow is a good treatment for dry eyes because often, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) causes dry eyes. The meibomian glands are responsible for producing the oil you need in your tears.

MGD is when the meibomian glands in your eyelids get clogged. When they get blocked, it prevents the production of the oil needed to help moisturize your eyes.

LipiFlow is the only FDA-approved treatment for MGD that treats the inside and outside of your eyelids. It works by massaging both sides of your eyelids with gentle pressure.

At the same time, it applies low heat to the glands to loosen any blocks. The heat and pulsing pressure loosens any obstructions in the glands and draws the blockage out of your eyelid. That way, your meibomian glands can once again produce the oil you need to combat dry eyes.

Are your dry eyes unbearable? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, to discuss LipiFlow and other dry eye treatments!

The post Is LipiFlow The Best Treatment For Dry Eyes? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Dry eye is a widespread yet treatable condition. It has many causes including, extended screen use, your environment, and allergies.

If you develop dry eyes and have allergies, you could be in for a very uncomfortable allergy season. Luckily, there are lifestyle changes and treatments that you can use to combat your dry eyes.

Keep reading to learn how you can treat your dry eyes this spring.

What is dry eye?

Dry eye is a situation where you have irritated eyes that feel like they are stinging or burning. These symptoms can spring up due to common environmental conditions.

These environmental conditions can include being on an airplane, air blowing on your face, or too much time looking at screens. Such environmental stimuli are prevalent, so you must know how you can prevent dry eyes.

Usually, adults aged 50 and up develop dry eyes, and it is more common in women than men. But, anyone can develop dry eyes at any age. 

How do you develop dry eyes? 

There are two leading causes of dry eye. Both stem from problems with your tear production system.

One cause could be that you do not produce enough tears, in which case you will need treatment to stimulate tear production. The other is that you have low-quality tears.

Often in cases of low-quality tear production, your eyes over-produce the inferior tears. This leaves you with eyes that are always running but remain dry.

Tears must have the proper balance of oil, mucus, and water to keep your eyes healthy. Often, an ingredient is missing from your tears which results in inferior tears.

These inferior tears lack the nutrients your eyes need. They may not even be able to cover your eye entirely and will evaporate quickly. All this results in dry eyes for you.

What are signs of dry eye? 

There are many signs and symptoms of dry eyes. Some include:

• A burning sensation
• Feeling like there is something in your eye
• Over or underproduction of tears
• Corneal and conjunctival staining
• Keratitis
• Eye fatigue
• Photophobia
• Light sensitivity
• Red eyes
• Trouble driving at night
• Discomfort with your contacts
• Discharge
• Eye pain
• Cloudy vision

Allergies can make any of these symptoms worse. For instance, itchy eyes are an allergy symptom.

The combination of itchy and dry eyes is very uncomfortable and may seem impossible to fix. You may want to rub your eyes to scratch the itch and hopefully produce some tears to soothe your eyes.

Do not ever rub your eyes for any reason, no matter how itchy they are! There are better ways to treat your dry, itchy eyes.

Why should I treat my dry eye in the spring?

Before allergy season fully begins, make sure to get your dry eyes under control. The combination of allergies and dry eyes could make you have a miserable spring. 

If you get your dry eyes under control before allergy season, it will be easier to enjoy the warm sunny weather fully. Treat your dry eyes now, so your allergy symptoms interfere less with your life this spring. 

How do you treat dry eyes?

There are many different ways to treat dry eyes. Some of them include:

• Drinking more water
• Using a humidifier to get more moisture in the air in your home or office
• Eating more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
• Keeping eyedrops around your house and car for easy access
• Prescription eye drops
• Artificial tears and plugs for your tear ducts

Your eye doctor can help you find the best treatment for your situation.

Do you need help managing your dry eye? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR now to discuss the best dry eye treatment for you!

The post The Importance of Dry Eye Treatment in The Spring appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

What do dry eyes look like?

There are many signs and symptoms associated with dry eyes. Some of them include:

• Redness
• Irritation
• Experiencing burning or stinging
• Feeling like there’s something in your eyes
• Watery eyes that tear up more
• Finding it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses

There are other symptoms that you could experience if you have dry eyes. If your eyes feel drier than normal, you should let your eye doctor know.

Do you notice your eyes getting more irritated in the fall?

During the fall, there are many factors that can cause you to develop dry eye more easily than in other seasons. 
Some of the factors that can cause dry eye in the fall are cold dry air and allergens. At the end of summer and at the beginning of the fall, there are more allergens in the air than normal. 

If you hear someone talking about hay fever, this is a name for a group of common allergens. Hay fever can cause you to develop different eye conditions or make dry eye worse. 

If you develop dry eye due to your allergies, allergy medication can help. Be cautious if you take antihistamines, as these can actually make dry eye symptoms worse. 

Can I enjoy fall activities if I have allergies?

Yes, you can go outside during the fall, but you have to be careful. When your allergies trigger dry eye symptoms, you should be selective about going outdoors. 

If your eyes feel irritated, going outside when allergens are high will only make it worse. Avoiding activities like raking leaves or yard work can help reduce your exposure to allergens. 

This can make your dry eyes feel better. If you have to do these activities, wearing goggles is a good way to protect your eyes from allergens. 

How can I prevent dry eyes this fall?

While you cannot completely prevent dry eyes, there are things that you can do to make them better:

• Eye Exams: Getting an eye exam is one of the best ways to prevent severe dry eye from developing. You can have eye allergies and dry eye at the same time, so if you treat your eye allergies it can help manage your dry eye as well.
• Get a Humidifier: If you get a cold air humidifier, this will help you deal with indoor irritants. Also, they restore moisture into spaces that have forced warm air.
• Drink Water: Keeping your body hydrated is very important for preventing dry eyes. Drink at least eight glasses of water each day as this is how much you should have. 
• Keep Windows Closed: On days when allergies or pollen spike, make sure your windows are closed. For example, pollen is released in increased quantities from 4-7 pm in the evening. 
• Are you having problems managing your dry eye symptoms? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR now to see one of our great eye doctors!

The post Are My Eyes More Likely To Be Dry This Fall? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

• Scratching sensation 
• Dry, itchy, or burning eyes
• Trouble focusing because of dryness
• Redness
• Light sensitivity

Dry Eye is an extremely common condition with over 3 million reported cases every year, so if you are experiencing these symptoms—you are not alone. Dry eye can occur because of a multitude of reasons but commonly is a result of dry air, allergies, unsanitary contacts, or looking at a computer screen/reading for an extended period.

Here are some ways that you can help relieve your symptoms of Dry Eye:

Take frequent breaks from your computer/reading: It is important to take frequent breaks from looking at a computer screen or reading for a long time to give your eyes the break they need. Studies show that people blink a lot less when staring at computer screen, so don’t forget to blink! It’s important to remember to blink often when working on a computer or reading to keep your eyes hydrated.

Wear sunglasses: By wearing sunglasses outside you not only will protect your eyes from damaging UV rays but you will reduce your exposure to the wind and direct sunlight that can dry out your eyes.

Take care of your contacts: If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry eyes and wear contact lenses it is important to make sure that you are not keeping them in your eyes for an extended period. Keep your contact lenses nice and clean as well or you risk not only worsening your dry eye symptoms but also put yourself at increased risk of potential eye infections.

Drinking plenty of water: Dry eyes may be a signal your body is giving that you are dehydrated. Staying hydrated is an important aspect of our overall health and by staying hydrated you will decrease your risk of getting dry eye.

Increase the humidity: By increasing the humidity in your home and workplace you can help lessen your symptoms of dry eye. It is suggested to get a humidifier and clean it frequently to help with dry air you may be exposed to. 

The post 5 Steps You Can Take to Reduce the Symptoms of Dry Eye appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.

Here are some symptoms of dry eye that you might experience if your tears aren’t doing the trick:

• Light sensitivity
• A sandy feeling
• Pain
• Foreign body sensation in your eye
• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Itchiness

It may sound kind of backwards, but if you are suffering from dry eye then it might make your eyes start to run. How is it that my eyes can be dry, but also run? Well that is a great question, basically what is happening is that the tears you are producing that are running down your cheeks are lacking in lubricant, which does nothing for your eyes dryness. The reason you produce so many tears when your eyes become dry, is because your eye is sending a distress signal to your brain to produce more lubricant. The increase in tears will help to wash away any possible debris or foreign substances that are found on your eye, but won’t do much in the way of coating the surface of your eye with lubricant and keeping it feeling fresh.

If you feel that for some reason you aren’t producing enough lubricant in your tears and that you are developing a case of dry eye, make sure to contact your eye doctor for an eye examination.

The post What is the Cause of Dry Eye? appeared first on Eye Health Northwest.