Best Dry Eyes Doctors in Chennai

Dry eye syndrome, also known as dry eyes, is a common condition characterised by insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation. This leads to symptoms ranging from eye redness and light sensitivity to eye fatigue and discomfort. Factors such as environmental conditions, certain medications, and specific medical procedures are known to contribute to the onset and progression of this disease.

In Chennai's hot and dusty climate, residents may be more susceptible to conditions like dry eyes. Moreover, the city's increasing digital usage patterns also contribute towards a higher risk factor. At Apollo Hospitals, eye specialist doctors are experienced in managing and treating dry eyes, offering patients state-of-the-art diagnostic services and care options.

Types/Stages of Dry Eyes

Becoming a proficient specialist in dry eye includes understanding the various types and stages of dry eye disease:

• Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This type is characterised by insufficient production of the watery component of tears, leading to decreased tear volume and moisture on the eye's surface.

• Evaporative Dry Eye: When the oily tear layer, crucial for preventing rapid evaporation, is insufficiently produced or disturbed, it leads to increased tear evaporation and dryness.

• Mixed Dry Eye: This type combines features of both aqueous deficient and evaporative dry eye.

• Sjögren’s Syndrome Dry Eye: This type is common among individuals with autoimmune diseases affecting exocrine glands, where the body's immune system attacks its moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes and mouth.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome manifests through a range of symptoms, which can include:

• Burning, stinging or scratchy sensation within the eyes

• A feeling of grittiness or sandiness

• Blurred vision

• Eye fatigue or discomfort

• Redness in the eyes

• Sensitivity to light

• Watery eyes, usually a response to irritation

Tests to Diagnose Dry Eyes

The best doctors specialising in eye treatment utilise a range of tests, including:

• Schirmer's test: Measures the amount of tears produced by the eyes over a certain period, indicating tear production levels.

• TearLab osmolarity: Evaluates the saltiness of tears, providing insights into tear film health and stability.

• Phenol red thread test: This test assesses tear production using a thread treated with phenol red dye, providing information on tear volume.

• Tear breakup time (TBUT): Determines the stability of the tear film by measuring the time it takes for the tear film to break up after blinking.

• Meibomian gland evaluation: Assesses the function and structure of the meibomian glands, which produce the oily component of tears.

• Fluorescein staining Detects corneal damage or irregularities caused by dryness.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Dry Eyes at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai

At Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, our doctors specialising in dry eyes treatment offer both non-surgical and surgical treatments tailored to each patient's specific needs which include:

• Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops: These are commonly used as initial treatment for mild to moderate cases of dry eye, providing moisture and relief from symptoms.

• Prescription eye drops: In more severe cases, prescription medications such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast may be prescribed to increase tear production and reduce inflammation in the eyes.

• Medications: Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid eye drops may be prescribed in certain cases to manage underlying conditions.

• Liposomal spray: Liposomal sprays containing lipids similar to those found in natural tears can help supplement the tear film and provide relief from dry eye symptoms.

• Surgical treatments: For severe cases, surgical interventions like punctal occlusion, tarsorrhaphy and amniotic membrane transplantation are performed by the best specialist who treat dry eye.