Do your eyes tear? Are they red and irritated? Are they scratchy? How about fatigued or heavy eyes?
Did you know that healthy eyes have 3 components or layers (oily, watery, and mucous)? Which of your layers is inadequate?
Each layer of the tear film serves a critical purpose. For example, tear lipids help keep the tear film from evaporating too quickly and increase lubrication, while the mucous layer helps anchor and spread the tears across the surface of the eye.
A deficit in any of those layers can contribute to all the above symptoms.
Dr. Zdenek has done extensive research into Dry Eyes and why people suffer from Dry Eyes and which treatments work in which situations. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Zdenek has made several discoveries.
One of the biggest discoveries that Dr. Zdenek has found is that there is a correlation between dry eyes and poor sleep habits. When your eyes lack any one of the layers of tear film the REM sleep pattern is interrupted by pain.
How You Ask?!?
When you hit your REM sleep cycle, your eyes twitch back and forth. If your tear film is lacking, then pain ensues because your unlubricated surface of the eye is rubbing on the back side of your eyelid. Although not painful enough to wake you up, it is painful enough to snap you out of your REM sleep.
So, What Is Your Number?
Dr. Zdenek performs an actual tear osmolarity test that measures the layers of your natural tear film. Knowing and tracking your tear film numbers can help monitor the success of the treatments. It can even help determine if you have Dry Eyes.
There are several reasons why any one of your 3 layers can be struggling. Although we would love to know why, let’s start with getting those layers healthy. There are several approaches Dr. Zdenek can take.
A part of your annual eye exam can include a few tests that help determine which treatment is right for you. Be sure to mention to Dr. Zdenek your symptoms (what you are experiencing) and ask Dr. Zdenek to track your Dry Eye numbers.
There are several effective treatment options if you suffer from chronic dry eye. In many cases routine use of artificial tears and minor behavioral modifications can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms.
In other cases, Dr. Zdenek might recommend prescription eye medications and/or in-office procedures, called punctal plugs, to help your body create, secrete, and even maintain more tears and decrease eye irritation and inflammation.
Ready To Find Out More?
Schedule your appointment online and start tracking your numbers.
