Nathan Klein O.D.
Dry Eye Specialist
Eye Surgeons & Consultants
4651 Sheridan Street, Suite #100
Hollywood, FL 33021
(954) 894-1500
Sometimes, the eyes just don’t produce enough tears, and often, the tears being produced are not “good quality.” When one, or more, of the three main components that make up your “tear film” is insufficient, dry eye symptoms will appear. By the age of 40, most people experience symptoms of dry eyes, with women at a higher risk. Factors predisposing to dry eyes include staring at a computer screen, environmental issues such as being dry and windy, smoking, and especially important are autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease or diabetes. Many medications, including antihypertensives, decongestants and antidepressants can also result in dry eye disease.
There are multiple tests available to diagnose dry eye disease. Unlike retail eye centers, Eye Surgeons and Consultants features the most state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, which allows us to both measure the quantity of tears that the eyes produce AND evaluate the exact cause of our patients’ dry eye disease.
Treatment for Dry Eye Disease is dependent on the cause. Frequently, adding over-the-counter artificial tears is sufficient. We recommend refrigerating these drops because when chilled, the viscosity of the drops increases, enhancing ocular penetration. If over-the-counter drops aren’t working sufficiently, Alan Mendelsohn MD, Sapir Karli MD and I often recommend one of two prescription options: Restasis or Xiidra. While rare, Restasis and Xiidra can have formidable side effects.
When the aforementioned treatments are not acceptable, a forte of mine is performing a two-minute, in-office, non-invasive procedure called punctal plug insertion. The microscopic-sized punctal plugs are inserted into tear ducts to increase the eyes’ tear film and surface moisture. I work with each individual, customizing plug placement for ideal comfort and ocular surface health. The success rate is outstanding! Following the insertion of punctal plugs, patients do not experience pain or downtime and can resume normal activities immediately, including exercising and swimming.
