DRY EYES - CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

Dry eyes is a condition where tear production in the eye is not sufficient.  This can lead to irritation, redness, decreased vision, decreased visual clarity, and other related issues.  Most people at some point in their lives have experienced some of the symptoms of dry eyes.  Common occasional or temporary causes can include over exposure to sunlight, wind, or computer screens.  While uncomfortable, exposures such as these are temporary, as are the resulting dry eye symptoms.  

Chronic dry eyes, on the other hand, can lead to more serious eye issues and can also be a sign of more serious health problems.  Chronic dry eyes is loosely defined as the body's inability to produce enough tears to properly lubricate the eye leading to persistent eye fatigue, irritation and vision impairment.  Permanent damage to the eye, such as damage to the ocular nerve, can occur without proper treatment.  

Chronic dry eyes is recognized as a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, Vitamin A deficiency, sjorgen's syndrome,  Lupis, uveitis, and other diseases and disorders.  There are several different treatment options for chronic dry eyes.  Vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, and the use of serum tears.  Some medications are also known to cause or contribute toward dry eyes.  Cessation of that medication when possible can also help to alleviate symptoms.    

Briefly stated, serum tears are custom eye drops made from the patients own blood making them rich in growth factors, vitamins, and nutrients resulting in a product that closely mimics the body's natural composition of tears.  This tailored therapy not only help alleviate the discomfort of dry eyes, but it also plays a crucial role in preventing the condition's progression. 

​Through our partner, Health Check Diagnostics, patients at DCAM have access to these custom made serum tears.  From the comfort of the patient's home, or here at DCAM, Health Check Diagnostics draws the patients blood and formulates the completely custom serum tears.  For more information about serum tears, please contact us here at DCAM.