Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) affects at least 16 million individuals in the U.S. and is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek eye care. Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when the eyes do not produce enough healthy tears, leading to symptoms such as stinging, burning, watery eyes, redness, blurry vision, a scratchy or gritty sensation, and/or difficulty wearing contact lenses. Tears are essential for lubricating the eyes and maintaining eye health, but environmental factors, aging, certain medical conditions and even certain medications can disrupt tear production or tear quality.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is a common condition that leads to dry eye, tendency to develop styes, and other ocular problems. Patients with MGD have compromised meibomian glands and fail to secrete healthy oils effectively. In a healthy tear film, the oil layer is essential for slowing the evaporation of tears, and without it, tears can be unstable and dry up too quickly. It’s important to seek professional care for dry eye and MGD, as untreated cases can lead to more serious complications. Our doctors at South Pasadena Optometric Group offer dry eye consultations to evaluate symptoms, diagnose the cause, and provide personalized treatment plans. Read on to learn more about some of the treatments our doctors may prescribe!

Treating Dry Eye with RF/IPL®

There are two revolutionary treatments we are excited to offer for dry eye disease – radiofrequency (RF) and intense pulsed light (IPL)

Here is a brief overview of the procedures and how they can help with dry eyes:

• RF utilizes heat to clear blockages in the eyelid glands and stimulate tear production. This process is not only extremely safe, but it also promotes the growth and repair of collagen, thus reducing fine lines around the eyes.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) uses light energy to target the surface layers of the skin to reduce inflammation in the eyelids that contribute to dry eye disease and its symptoms. The treatment also focuses on blood vessels and areas of pigmentation, which enhances both eye health and appearance. The treatments are synergistic and have the most benefit when they are done together. However, IPL is only suitable for patients with fairer skin (Skin types I & II).

Each procedure requires 4 treatment sessions. Patients typically need an additional 1-2 treatments annually to maintain the results of the initial treatment. If you have additional questions regarding the details of the procedures and what is involved, we would be happy to provide you a handout via email

PRN Dry Eye Supplements

Our doctors recommend PRN (Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals) Dry Eye Omega-3 capsules/liquid as a supplement for patients who suffer from dry eyes. This supplement is the only patented dry eye product on the market that has been clinically proven to improve signs and symptoms of dry eyes. These capsules are uniquely formulated to promote optimal absorption of omega-3 throughout your body to improve the quality of your tears and dry eye symptoms. 

Please contact us or visit our office today to purchase PRN dry eye supplements at a discounted eye care physician rate.