Dry Eye Relief

Do you suffer from dry, itchy, or watery eyes? These are some signs of a chronic eye condition called dry eye syndrome. At Georgia Center for Sight, our doctors are here to treat dry eyes at their root cause and improve your symptoms.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition that occurs when the eyes do not receive adequate lubrication or hydration. Dry eye syndrome usually occurs because the tears produced are low quality, or there are not enough tears being created.

To have healthy tears, you must first have a healthy tear film. The tear film has three components: a water layer, a mucus layer, and an oil layer.

If any of these components are missing, the tears your eyes create will not be able to provide adequate nutrients to your eyes through your tears. The tear film must cover the eye’s surface to deliver nutrients.

What are the Signs of Having Dry Eyes?

Many signs come with having dry eyes, and you may not experience them all; you may only have one or two. Common symptoms of having dry eyes include:

If you start experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to let your eye doctor know as soon as possible. When left untreated, dry eye can cause serious discomfort or corneal abrasions.

Treating Dry Eyes at Georgia Center for Sight

At Georgia Center for Sight, our doctors take dry eyes seriously. How he chooses to treat your dry eyes will depend on the root cause of the dryness and the severity of your symptoms. He may decide to treat your dry eyes with the following treatments:

Punctal Plugs

Punctal plugs are small, microscopic drains placed in your tear ducts. They dissolve over time, allowing you to decide whether to proceed with permanent punctal plugs. Many patients find that the temporary form of punctal plugs helps improve their symptoms.

Permanent punctal plugs are then inserted into the tear ducts, which help keep tears on the surface of your eye for longer before evaporating. Many patients experience significant relief with this treatment, allowing them to reduce their use of artificial tears and eye drops. 

Having permanent or temporary punctal plugs inserted in your tear ducts is an in-office procedure performed by our doctors. It only takes a few minutes to complete, and you’ll receive an anesthetic eye drop to numb your eye for the utmost comfort during the brief procedure. 

Most patients describe punctal plug insertion as painless and can return to their daily activities and routine once it’s complete.

Lacrifill Canalicular Gel Treatment

If you’re looking for a longer-lasting solution to your dry eye symptoms, Lacrfill might be a great option for you. Lacrifill is a treatment that provides extended relief from moderate to severe dry eye conditions using a specialized hyaluronic acid gel.

Unlike eye drops that you need to use multiple times throughout the day, Lacrifill works differently. Our doctors inject this gel into your puncta (the small openings where tears normally drain) to slow down tear drainage. This helps your natural tears stay on your eye surface longer, giving you better lubrication and comfort.

The hyaluronic acid gel is safe for your body and works naturally with your tear drainage system. By keeping tears from draining away too quickly, Lacrifill helps maintain the moisture your eyes need, addressing the root cause of the dryness, stinging, and irritation you’ve been experiencing.

The Lacrifill Procedure

Getting Lacrifill is a simple in-office procedure that only takes a few minutes. Our eye doctors use precise techniques to place the gel directly into your tear drainage openings. Most patients notice improvement in their dry eye symptoms right after treatment.

How Long Does Lacrifill Last?

One of the best things about Lacrifill is how long it lasts. The treatment typically provides relief for about six months, which means you won’t need to use eye drops as often. If you need any adjustments or experience discomfort, the gel can be safely removed.

Who is a Good Candidate for Lacrifill?

Lacrifill can help most patients who struggle with dry eye symptoms, especially those who have difficulty wearing contact lenses due to dryness and irritation.

You may be a good candidate if you experience moderate to severe dry eye symptoms that haven’t improved with artificial tears or other conventional treatments. This treatment is particularly effective for patients who want a longer-lasting solution that reduces their dependence on frequent eye drop use.

Are you struggling with dry eyes? Get the relief you need by scheduling an appointment at Georgia Center for Sight at any of our 4 convenient locations today!