The Dry Eye Institute of the University Eye Center at Ketchum Health is a world-class research and teaching facility that takes a comprehensive team-based approach to patient care. With leading edge technology and a spectrum of specialized tests, optometrists work with patients to deliver a personalized treatment plan to minimize or eliminate symptoms while maximizing optimal long-term eye health.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye describes a condition in which eyes do not produce enough tears or produce imbalanced tears, insufficient to lubricate and nourish the eye. Dry eye is most often a result of the eyes’ natural aging process, though it can be a result of health, environmental or other factors as well. Children and young adults also present with signs and symptoms of dry eye now too. Dry eye symptoms are often unique for different people.
You may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Irritated, scratchy, dry or uncomfortable eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Burning sensation of the eyes
- A feeling of a foreign body or grittiness in the eye
- Blurred and inconsistent vision
- Excessive watering of the eyes
- Tired eyes
- In extreme cases, pain and headaches
Unfortunately, dry eye cannot be cured. The Dry Eye Institute team aims to restore as much normal tear production as possible to minimize discomfort as well as maintain eye wellness.
How Dry Eye is treated at the University Eye Center?
If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, your optometric team will perform “dry eye” tests using state of the art diagnostic instruments to evaluate the quality, amount and distribution of your tears.
Your optometrist will also need to know about your daily activities, your general health, medications you are taking and environmental factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
The goal of a dry eye consultation is to work with you to create a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan customized to your individual lifestyle.
Additionally, Ketchum Health also provides advanced instrumentation such as the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M, allowing the team to show you your eyelids, eyelashes, oil glands and eye surface, which makes a decided impact on education around effective diagnosis and care. We are also one of the first 25 centers in the U.S. to get the iLux.