Dry Eyes
"Before I was treated for dry eyes, I thought I just had to live with the constant burning and scratchiness.... wish I had gone to PVI sooner. Thanks to Dr. Pepose and Dr. Qazi, my eyes don't hurt anymore!"
- Lynne Firestone

Do you know of someone who has gritty, sandy, irritated eyes, with fluctuating vision that gets worse as the day goes on? He or she may be suffering from dry eyes -- one of today's most common ocular complaints.
  • Dry eyes are ten times more common in women than men, and are more common following the onset of menopause.
  • The condition can be made worse by taking hormone replacement therapy, as it is the male rather than female hormones that support tear production by the lacrimal gland above the upper lid.
  • Patients with both dry eye and dry mouth may have a very severe form called Sjogren's syndrome.
  • Dry eye can also be exacerbated by common medications, such as diuretics, antihistamines and anti-depressants.

 

 

How do we do it?  

  • Experience
    Pepose Vision Institute has been a leader in the treatment of dry eyes. We offer three therapeutic options:
    • We recommend the right artificial tear supplement or night time gel for your specific dry eye problem. Because there are differences in artificial tears, in terms of their thickness, viscosity and components, we encourage our patients to try different products if relief is not achieved.
    • We prescribe the eyedrop Restasis, which actually increases tear production. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can be supplemented with short term use of other topical medications.
    • We offer the most immediate and effective treatments for dry eye by inserting punctal plugs, which are microscopic (about the size of the tip of a ball point pen) and are molded to exactly fit into the tiny holes in the lids that drain away tears. The tears go down these four ducts, on in each lid, into the bony tissue and then to the back of your throat. We actually are drinking our tears all day long, which is why some
      people can taste their eye medicines! Punctal plugs can be painlessly placed in the office, using just numbing drops. You will not feel the plugs and no maintenance is required. They work instantly, just like putting a stopper in the drain when the bathtub is filling.
  • Testing
    • Each of our patients undergoes a state-of-the-art testing process, directly supervised by our surgeons, who then create a precise, personalized treatment plan.
  • Technology
    • At Pepose Vision Institute, we are involved in clinical research to better diagnose dry eye syndromes and monitor treatment.
    • This includes evaluating new devices that measure the lipid Tear Osmolarity Tester layer of the tears and the tear osmolarity.
    • The first step towards relief is always the correct diagnosis; dry eye can mimic allergies or other conditions that can be easily missed.
    Tear Film Analyzer
  • Lifetime Commitment 
    • Our surgeons are here to monitor the condition of your eyes for the rest of your life, to ensure that you enjoy the very best vision possible

While no one can promise perfect vision, Pepose Vision Institute is dedicated to doing everything it can to assure its patients a lifetime of quality vision.

"If you have chronically red, irritated eyes, with fluctuating vision and feel eye strain by the end of the day, please consider making an appointment to have an evaluation for dry eyes. There is no reason for you to suffer when treatment is at hand."
- Dr. Jay Pepose