Have you used several eyedrops and gotten no relief for your dry eye symptoms?
You may be surprised to know that not all eyedrops are the same.
Eyedrops fit into 2 types of categories
- Rewetting or Moisture Eyedrops – works to replenish the watery layer of the tear film.
These are great for those who just don't have enough tears - what is know as Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye Disease.
These flush and rinse the eye, provide temporary relief, and can be used for contacts lenses.
- Therapeutic Eyedrops – more oil based to replenish the lipid or oily layer of the tear film
These are great those who have enough tears but they evaporate too quickly - Evaporative Dry Eye Disease
These eyedrops repair and heal the surface of the eye and protect the cornea.
As they are thicker, they may not be suitable for use with contact lenses.
This type
Most patients we see with dry eye disease, have Evaporative Dry Eye Disease.
But, most of those patients are not taking the correct type of dry eye drop. They have been told to take one for severe or one for mild dry eye. However many eyedrops marked for “severe” dry eye only work on the watery layer of the tears and don’t help with evaporative dry eye.
Most of the eyedrops you see on the shelf and ones sold at eye care practices are ones to treat those who have Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye Disease. They only provide temporary relief and don't do much in the way of repairing and healing the eye surface. So you find yourself using this drop, that drop – multiple times a day – with no relief at all.
So if you are using eyedrops and getting no relief, you are most likely using the wrong type of eyedrop for your type of dry eye disease.
If you are not sure what type of dry eye you have, a dry eye consultation with your eye care provider will determine the type. You can also learn more about how to best manage your eyes to help them look, feel and see better.
