The majority of the patients sitting in eye doctors’ waiting rooms today are suffering from some sort of dry eye issue. Over the last few years, researchers have discovered that “dry eyes” is much more than insufficient production of natural tears. In fact, the majority of dry eye cases are now known to be the result of rapid tear evaporation, usually caused by chronic blockage of critical oil-producing glands (called meibomian glands) in the eyelids which help control tear evaporation.
Frantz EyeCare has recently introduced revolutionary new technologies that will offer residents of Southwest Florida the most advanced and effective ways of treating their chronic dry eye problems.
These latest advancements include the LipiView, which evaluates the structure and function of these eyelid oil-producing glands by providing a high definition image of the meibomian glands; the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System, an innovative technology that removes blockages of the meibomian glands and restores normal gland function; and the BlephEx, a device that exfoliates and deep cleans the eyelids to remove the debris that is frequently contributing to the chronic obstruction of the meibomian glands. These new technologies have been demonstrated to be safe and painless.
Frantz EyeCare is one of only a handful of practices in the State of Florida to intensively focus on this new understanding of dry eyes and devote the personnel, resources and wide array of advanced treatments through a dedicated Dry Eye Center of Excellence.
The Dry Eye Specialists at Frantz EyeCare work directly with patients to determine the cause of their dry eye and then plan the best course of treatment. There’s not one test or procedure alone that can properly diagnose and distinguish between the types of dry eye.
In June 2013 Frantz EyeCare introduced the TearLab Osmolarity test, which measures and assesses the health and stability of the patient’s tear film. “Although we were able to provide some relief for our dry eye patients by prescribing Omega 3 supplements, lid cleansers, tear replacement drops, punctual plugs, and oral antibiotics, we decided we needed to take the next step and add these more advanced technologies,” said Frantz. “So many of our patients suffer from dry eye and it frequently affects not only their eye comfort but even their quality of vision. If left untreated, it profoundly impacts their quality of life,” Frantz added.
Some of the symptoms of dry eye disease include;
- Redness
- Burning
- Itching
- Fluctuation in vision
- Feeling of sand or grit in the eye
- Contact Lens discomfort
- Light Sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Tired eyes
If you know you have chronic dry eye problems or you think you may be experiencing the symptoms of dry eye, call us at (239) 418-0999 or request an appointment online.
TearLab “Accredited Dry Eye Center” Southwest Florida
One of the most common clinical challenges faced in eye care is dry eye. Dry Eye Disease (DED) affects approximately 40 million people in the U.S. and less than 5 percent of the DED patient population has been diagnosed and is being treated, according to Healthcare Maintenance Organizations data.
Keeping up with the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes, Frantz EyeCare is now certified by TearLab as an “Accredited Dry Eye Center”. Certification indicates that Frantz EyeCare has demonstrated expertise and dedication to the most advanced technologies and treatments in the management of dry eye disease. Medical Director, Dr. Jonathan Frantz and our team of doctors have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease.
