Dry Eye Diagnosis & Treatment in
Las Vegas, NV
Find relief from dry, itchy, irritated eyes
Dry eye can affect much more than everyday comfort. Burning, irritation, fluctuating vision, and light sensitivity can make it harder to read, drive, use screens, work, or enjoy the activities you love. At iFocus Vision Center, Dr. Vivienne Velasco takes the time to identify what is contributing to your symptoms and provides dry eye treatment in Las Vegas based on your specific type of dry eye and eye health needs.
We offer early and later weekday appointment times to make it easier to schedule dry eye care around work, school, and other responsibilities.
“Dry eye disease may seem like a simple issue, but it is actually quite complicated. It can affect vision while driving, affect athletic performance, and it can cause pain so debilitating that it can keep a patient from work. The difficulty with dry eye disease is that not all dry eyes are the same, therefore every patient’s treatment plan must be tailored to their specific type of dry eye. I stay up to date with the latest research and available treatments to customize a treatment plan for each patient.”
— Dr. Vivienne Velasco
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye, also known as dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome, occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears do not work the way they should. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and, in some cases, damage to the cornea if left untreated.1 It is important to see an eye care professional for dry eyes, especially if your symptoms persist or seem to be getting worse.
Common dry eye symptoms in Las Vegas, NV
Some common symptoms of dry eyes include:
- A burning or stinging sensation
- Red, irritated, or watery eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Feeling like there’s sand in your eyes (“gritty eyes”)
- A constant urge to rub your eyes
- Eyes that feel tired, achy, or fatigued
- Mucus around the eyes
Causes of dry eyes in Las Vegas, NV
Many factors can contribute to this uncomfortable condition, but one of the most common is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These tiny glands in our eyelids produce an oil that helps keep our tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or inflamed, it can lead to decreased oil production and an unstable tear film, resulting in dryness and irritation. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that problems with the oil layer of the tear film can cause tears to evaporate too quickly, contributing to dry eye symptoms 2
Other causes of dry eye include:
- Aging
- Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and menopause
- Dry air from air conditioning or heating systems
- Spending time in windy or smoky environments
- Wearing contact lenses for extended periods
- Certain diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Medications such as decongestants, antidepressants, and antihistamines
- Not blinking enough or drinking enough water
- Staring at screens for too long
How is dry eye disease diagnosed?
At iFocus Vision Center, Dr. Velasco will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the underlying cause of your dry eye symptoms. She uses state-of-the-art technology and advanced diagnostic tools to assess the quality and quantity of your tears, as well as evaluate the overall health of your eyes. Once Dr. Velasco has a clear understanding of your condition, she will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Dry eye treatment in Las Vegas, NV
iFocus Vision Center offers a wide range of solutions to help relieve your dry eye symptoms. From prescription eye drops and ointments to lifestyle changes and in-office procedures, we have everything you need to restore moisture to your eyes and improve your overall comfort. We also offer punctal plugs, which are tiny devices inserted into your tear ducts to keep tears on the surface of your eyes longer. The goal of treatment is not just to provide temporary relief, but also to address the underlying issues causing your dry eye so that you can experience long-lasting results.
TearCare® dry eye treatment
One innovative treatment option we offer for dry eye due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is TearCare. The TearCare system is an innovative device that delivers targeted heat therapy to the meibomian glands in your eyelids, helping to unclog these oil glands. By improving the flow of these essential oils, TearCare helps restore balance to your tears and provide lasting relief from dry eye symptoms.
Schedule a dry eye exam in Las Vegas
At iFocus Vision Center, we offer dry eye treatment in Las Vegas to help you find relief and get back to feeling comfortable and seeing clearly. Schedule an appointment with us today to find the best treatment options for your specific case.
References
1. [Dry eye. nei.nih.gov](https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye)
2. [What is dry eye? aao.org](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye)
Dry eye treatment FAQs
What does dry eye feel like?
Dry eye can cause burning, stinging, redness, watery eyes, blurry vision, light sensitivity, or a gritty feeling, like something is in your eye. Some people also notice that their eyes feel tired or uncomfortable after reading, driving, using screens, or wearing contact lenses.
Can dry eye cause watery eyes?
Yes. Watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye. When the eyes are irritated or the tear film is unstable, they may produce extra reflex tears. These tears do not always have the right balance of oil, water, and mucus needed to keep the eyes comfortable.
What is meibomian gland dysfunction?
Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, occurs when the oil glands in the eyelids become blocked or do not produce enough quality oil. This can cause tears to evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness, irritation, and fluctuating vision.
How does TearCare® help with dry eye?
TearCare® uses targeted heat therapy to help loosen blockages in the meibomian glands. This can improve oil flow in the tear film and help reduce symptoms related to evaporative dry eye.
When should I see an eye doctor for dry eye?
You should schedule an eye exam if dry eye symptoms are frequent, worsening, affecting your vision, or making it difficult to wear contact lenses, drive, read, or use screens comfortably. Persistent dry eye can affect the health of the eye surface if left untreated.