BY: WHITNEE PEARCE
I have worn glasses since I was in 3rd grade and now I am nearly 30 years old. In the 6th grade I started wearing contacts. During these years I have played video games, watched television, surfed the web, typed, worked online and on the computer, read for hours digitally, Netflixed, and more. As the years have passed my digital use has drastically increased and unbeknownst to me, my eyes have suffered.
Working as a former optician, yearly eye exams are something that I view as vital. Comprehensive eye exams allow me to not only learn if I need new glasses or order contacts, but they enable me to understand about the health of my eyes. At my last eye exam after speaking with Dr. Wattenhofer, we both determined it would be best if I did dry eye testing. Some of my symptoms included trouble focusing after long computer use, irritated eyes, red eye, and more. Vision Source Specialists now offer the Oculus Keratograph 5M, an advanced technology that can accurately can diagnosis Dry Eye Syndrome. The technology can look at a variety of factors including how well tear film is being created from the glands in your eye lids. The Oculus Keratograph 5M also allows for the imaging and data to be saved, so if a patient did need treatment, a proper compare and contrast can occur after treatment.
Upon doing the test on the Oculus Keratograph 5M, I was quite alarmed at what was found. Yes, I did have dry eye syndrome and not only did I have it because some of my glands were not working properly to produce the tear film my eyes needed but some of the glands were permanently damaged. Due to permanent damage they would never be able to produce the tear film that my eyes need to maintain health. Going over the results and imaging with Dr. Wattenhofer allowed me to understand more about what was happening with my eyes and the importance of keeping the glands I do still have healthy and working their optimum.
From there we created a plan and decided on the next steps of treatment that would be best for me. Stay tuned for my next blog, where I experience the Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation System, an advanced technology that is designed to improve gland function. With this treatment, along with other treatments such as supplements, eye masks, and more, I will be tracking the health of my eyes and giving the truth about the process of having Dry Eye Syndrome.
For more information on Dry Eye Syndrome, treatment for dry eyes such as the Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation System, or the Oculus Keratograph 5M, contact Vision Source today.