What causes severe dry eye disease?

There are approximately 70 distinct causes of dry eye disease, with over 80% involving Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) where oil glands become blocked, inflamed, or atrophied, leading to rapid tear evaporation. Other major contributing factors include autoimmune disorders (such as Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), prolonged digital device usage, hormonal fluctuations, cosmetic products, medications, and previous ocular surgeries.

How can scleral contact lenses treat severe dry eye?

Scleral contact lenses are an FDA-approved therapeutic treatment for severe ocular surface disease and dry eye. Unlike traditional soft contacts that absorb tear film, large-diameter custom scleral lenses vault entirely over the sensitive cornea and rest on the less sensitive sclera. The space between the lens and cornea is filled with a continuous reservoir of preservative-free saline, shielding the ocular surface from dry air and friction while bathing the cornea in healing hydration all day long.

What is included in a specialized dry eye exam at CCLI?

A dry eye evaluation at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute is an in-depth, 60-minute one-on-one exam with the specialist utilizing advanced diagnostics: infrared meibography (FireFly slit lamp), tear meniscus height measurement, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), corneal sodium fluorescein staining, ocular surface inflammation grading, and comprehensive eyelid margin assessment.

Dry Eye Disease

Providing Dry Eye Treatment Options Beyond Artificial Tears

Schedule Consultation Call / Text (704) 800-5230

Treating Dry Eye Disease in Charlotte

Where Advanced Technology Meets Compassionate Care

In even moderate cases, dry eye disease can be extremely debilitating. If severe enough, it is common for patients to experience feelings including, but not limited to, anxiety, anger, fear, frustration, depression and/or suicidal thoughts.

The good news is there ARE many dry eye treatment options available to patients, including some technologies which have only been around for a few years and/or recently increased in popularity. For this reason, even if you’ve been evaluated for dry eye disease before, there may be new treatment options available!

Our doctors have significant experience in certain types of dry eye treatment options, including specialty contact lenses, punctal plugs, and the use of amniotic membrane. In fact in the past our doctors have traveled to other doctor’s offices in Charlotte to see their advanced dry eye patients, as a traveling specialist.

Expertise with dry eye disease is an integral part of fitting specialty contact lenses, and our doctors have given lectures and presentations to other doctors on the topic of dry eye disease treatment options.

Doctor performing anterior segment dry eye examination

Patient consultation for custom scleral lens dry eye therapy

Looking for More Information on Dry Eye Treatment in Charlotte?

What Causes Dry Eye?

There are around 70 different causes of dry eye, each with their own underlying factors, symptoms, and treatment options. In most cases there are a combination of factors that are contributing to an individual’s dry eye.

What are Recommended Treatment Options for Dry Eye?

With 70 or so different causes of dry eye, it makes sense that there are also many different treatment options, depending on the main cause of your dry eye.

Charlotte Contact Lens Institute specializes in providing a portion of the different treatment options for dry eye, but in certain cases we will refer to another provider. One of the unique aspects of our office is the advanced technology we have for dry eye imaging, which allows you to better see and understand the cause of your unique type of dry eye, and also allows the doctor advanced tools for diagnosis.

Patients with Dry Eye Disease Can be Excellent Candidates for Contact Lenses

One option for treatment of dry eye is the use of specialty contact lenses, such as scleral lenses. Scleral contact lenses offer a significant advantage for patients suffering from dry eye disease, particularly for those who have previously experienced intolerance to soft contact lenses. These larger, custom-fitted lenses vault over the entire corneal surface, creating a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the eye.

This design not only ensures that the eye remains moist and comfortable throughout the day, but also reduces irritation and the feeling of dryness. For patients who have struggled with the discomfort of dry eyes while using traditional soft lenses, scleral lenses can be a game-changer, providing both improved comfort and enhanced visual clarity. Their unique design makes them an ideal solution for managing dry eye symptoms effectively, offering patients a new level of relief and a better quality of life.

What to Expect from a Dry Eye Exam at the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute

Patients often mention how pleased they are with the thoroughness of dry eye examinations at Charlotte Contact Lens Institute. An initial dry eye examination is roughly 60 minutes of one-on-one time with the doctor. This time is used to gain a comprehensive overview of the patient’s lifestyle, and contributing factors, and specialized technology is used to gain insight into the cause behind the dry eye disease.

The good news is that Charlotte Contact Lens Institute combines longer than usual exam times with doctor expertise and specialized technology to deliver results that can make a huge difference in a dry eye patient’s life.

Curious if scleral lenses and/or another type of treatment option are the right fit to optimize your vision and relieve dry eye? We are available for a free phone consultation to discuss your specific situation, and can be reached at (704) 800-5230 or hello@charlottecontactlens.com.

A Step-by-Step of a Dry Eye Exam at Our Office

Below is listed the step-by-step process that we follow for dry eye exams at the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute.

Meibography

Meibography is the evaluation of meibomian glands. Meibomian glands contribute to over 80% of dry eye signs and symptoms. They can be damaged by medications, topical creams, makeup, digital device use, and various systemic conditions, especially autoimmune and skin conditions.
Females and those over 40 are at increased risk, though excessive digital device use is a significant risk factor for younger patients. When meibomian glands are damaged, they will deteriorate. Once glands deteriorate, the loss is permanent, and symptoms become severe. Severe dry eye disease can result in unstable vision or vision loss.

Lipid Layer Thickness

Lipid Layer thickness shows how the meibomian glands are functioning. Some patients have great anatomy but the meibomian glands are clogged and unable to produce proper hydration to the eye.

Tear Meniscus Height

The tear meniscus height determines the tear volume on the eye, an important measurement to grade the severity of dry eye, as well as monitor for treatment success over time.

Non-Invasive Tear Break Up Time

The tear break up time shows how stable the tears are on the eye. Do they evaporate in 2 seconds or 10 seconds after a blink? This measurement also demonstrates how vulnerable the eyes are to air contact.

Corneal sodium fluorescein vital dye staining examination

Corneal Staining

Dry eye can result in damage to the cornea. To assess for the severity of this damage, a drop of saline and sodium fluorescein dye is instilled into the eye. The dye drains from the front surface of the eye in a few minutes but will highlight areas of damage secondary to dry eye.

Inflammation Grading

Dry eye often results in inflammation. Images of the front of the eye help to determine the extent of inflammation to monitor treatment success over time.

High-magnification eyelid margin and lid wiper epitheliopathy assessment

Eyelid Margin Assessment

Irregular eyelid anatomy or function can cause dry eye. An assessment of the eyelids is key to determine what treatments will work best for this specific type of dry eye.

Additional Resources

Severe dry eye disease video presentation by Dr. Ariel Cerenzie

If you have questions about your eyes, dry eye treatment options, or anything else, we are available for a free phone consultation and can be reached at (704) 800-5230 or hello@charlottecontactlens.com.

Why Choose the Charlotte Contact Lens Institute
for Dry Eye Treatment in Charlotte?

Specialized Optical and Diagnostic Solutions for Severe Dry Eye

The Team

The team at the Charlotte 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 Cherry™, HSA, & FSA.

Doctor examining patient with severe dry eye disease at slit lamp

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 Charlotte 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.