Dry Eye Disease
Offering Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Beyond Artificial Tears
Dry Eye Disease
Providing Dry Eye Treatment Options Beyond Artificial Tears
Treating Dry Eye Disease in Raleigh
Where Technology and Compassion Work Together
At the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, our doctors have extensive experience with treatments such as specialty contact lenses, punctal plugs, and amniotic membrane therapy. In fact, our expertise has led us to serve as traveling specialists, assisting other practices in Raleigh with their most advanced dry eye patients.
Looking for More Information on Dry Eye Treatment in Raleigh?
There are nearly 70 different causes of dry eye disease, each with its own contributing factors, symptoms, and treatment approaches. In many patients, multiple factors combine to create or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Because there are so many possible causes of dry eye, treatment must be tailored to the underlying issue. Options vary depending on what is driving your condition.
At The Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, we provide a variety of advanced treatment options for dry eye. In certain cases, if specialized care is needed, we may refer you to another provider. One of the unique strengths of our office is the use of advanced dry eye imaging technology. This allows you to clearly see the underlying cause of your condition while giving the doctor powerful tools for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.
One effective treatment for dry eye is the use of specialty contact lenses, particularly scleral lenses. These lenses are highly beneficial for patients with dry eye disease, especially those who could not tolerate traditional soft contact lenses.
Scleral lenses are larger, custom-fitted, and designed to vault over the entire cornea, creating a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the eye. This reservoir keeps the eye moist throughout the day, reduces irritation, and relieves the sensation of dryness.
For patients who have struggled with discomfort using soft lenses, scleral lenses can be life-changing—providing both enhanced comfort and sharper vision. Their unique design makes them an ideal solution for managing dry eye symptoms, improving relief, and restoring quality of life.
Additional details on the use of scleral lenses for dry eye treatment are available here.
Patients often share how impressed they are with the thoroughness of their dry eye exams at Raleigh Contact Lens Institute. An initial evaluation lasts about 60 minutes of one-on-one time with the doctor, providing a detailed understanding of lifestyle factors and contributing causes. Advanced imaging technology is also used to reveal the root of the condition.
The advantage of our clinic is the combination of longer exam times, advanced diagnostic tools, and doctor expertise. This approach allows us to create a customized treatment plan that can make a real difference in the lives of patients with dry eye disease.
A Step-by-Step Look at a Dry Eye Exam at Our Office
At the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute, we follow a detailed step-by-step process during a dry eye examination. Each stage helps us identify the underlying cause of symptoms and create a customized treatment plan.
Meibography
- Role of Meibomian Glands – Meibography is the evaluation of the meibomian glands, which are responsible for over 80% of dry eye signs and symptoms. These glands can be damaged by medications, topical creams, cosmetics, digital device use, and systemic conditions such as autoimmune or skin diseases. Women and patients over 40 are at greater risk, though excessive screen use also increases risk for younger individuals.
- Impact of Gland Damage – Once meibomian glands are damaged, they begin to deteriorate permanently. This loss leads to more severe dry eye symptoms, unstable vision, and in advanced cases, even vision loss.
Lipid Layer Thickness
- This test measures how well the meibomian glands are functioning. Even with normal anatomy, clogged glands may fail to produce the oils needed for proper tear hydration.
Tear Meniscus Height
- This measurement evaluates the tear volume on the eye, helping determine the severity of dry eye and track improvement with treatment over time.
Non-Invasive Tear Break-Up Time
- This test shows the stability of tears on the eye. Tears that evaporate quickly—within 2 seconds instead of 10—indicate greater dryness and vulnerability to environmental exposure.
Corneal Staining
- To assess corneal damage, a drop of saline with fluorescein dye is applied. While the dye drains away in minutes, it highlights dry eye–related damage on the corneal surface.
Inflammation Grading
- Dry eye disease often causes inflammation. High-resolution images of the front of the eye allow us to grade inflammation and monitor treatment success.
Eyelid Margin Assessment
- Eyelid anatomy and function play a major role in dry eye. A detailed assessment helps identify irregularities and guide the most effective treatment options for each patient.
Additional Resources
Why Choose the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute
for Dry Eye Treatment in Raleigh?
The Team
The team at the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute have experience with offering dry eye treatment options for hundreds of individuals, including specialty contact lenses, punctal plugs IPL, and amniotic membrane.
Advanced Technology
Our office is one of a few practices in the country that is equipped with the Pentacam AXL Wave, Optovue Solix OCT, and Firefly slit lamp, which greatly aid in understanding the cause of your dry eye.
Unlimited Answers
We allow for enough time for thorough comprehensive exams, and plenty of time for answering questions. No rushing in and out here.
We Focus on Unique Eyes
Our office is equipped to offer advanced solutions to individuals who require tailored and custom-designed solutions.
Access to the Doctor
Our doctors are available to answer questions you have after your exam, and will make sure you have the information needed in order to ensure the best possible outcome.
Affordability
We keep our overhead costs low and offer very competitive prices as a result. We have monthly payment options available and also accept CareCredit™, HSA, & FSA.
Summary
Our doctors are passionate about providing treatment of dry eye disease and offering solutions for this debilitating disease.
Our office has advanced technology for the diagnosis of dry eye disease and in many cases we will be able to provide several different dry eye treatment options. During an initial comprehensive exam, the doctor will discuss the latest options for managing dry eye disease, even if we don’t offer that particular treatment option in our office. One of the benefits of visiting the Raleigh Contact Lens Institute is the amount of one-on-one time with the doctor, which allows for plenty of time to ask questions and evaluate all options.