What To Do When Glaucoma Meds Cause Dry Eyes

What To Do When Glaucoma Medications Cause Dry Eyes

People on topical glaucoma medications can development dry eye disease.  For severe cases, multiple glaucoma medications are used.   With increasing research showing a relationship between meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and glaucoma therapy, therefore, it is necessary that people with glaucoma patients get  evaluation for dry eye disease at every exam. This evaluation should include meibomian gland evaluation with both expression (squeeze)  and gland imaging using , LipiView, Meibography or transillumination.2,3

What To Do For Dry Eyes

If dry eye is diagnosed according to TFOS DEWS II criteria,  Reduced tear volume using TBUT (Tear Breakup Time), hyperosmolarity ( too salty) , or corneal and conjunctival staining with vital dye testing.  If results indicate severe dry eyes, alternative approaches should be considered.    Use of a prostaglandin analogue (PGA) could present with symptoms of dry eye and decreased TBUT due to the known obstruction of the meibomian glands often associated with these medications.3 Changing the class of medication for this patient could very well improve gland function, tear stability, and symptoms.

In the case where a topical beta blocker is used and presented with corneal staining and symptoms of dry eye. The person could have decreased aqueous production as a result of the beta blocker and/or corneal epithelial breakdown from exposure to the BAK preservative. For this type of people, consider changing to a preservative-free formulation, or to a non-preserved PGA such as Zioptan (with close evaluation of the meibomian glands), or even to a PGA with an alternate preservative such as Travatan Z, in order to continue with the ease of a once-daily dosing schedule.

For the dry eye patient who is taking multiple glaucoma medications, consider recommending surgical treatments such as SLT or MIGS in attempts to reduce the overall medication and preservative load. When surgery isn't an option or medications cannot be changed, elect to treat the dry eye disease in conjunction with their glaucoma management. Consider thermal pulsation therapy (IPL) for obstructive MGD combined with topical therapies such as TheraLife Eye capsules to control inflammation. Helping to maintain quality of life for people is important. Specifically, for our glaucoma patients, the medications used to treat their disease can often worsen their quality of life and contribute to poor medication adherence. It is therefore imperative to monitor for dry eye disease for all glaucoma patients at every visit. 

TheraLife Can Help

TheraLife Eye capsules help you produce your own tears for dry eye relief.  All natural, 100% Guaranteed.

Call us toll free to talk to a doctor  1-8787-917-1989  US/Canada,  International (650) 949-6080

References:
1. TFOS DEWS II iatrogenic report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):511-538. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.004. Epub 2017 Jul 20.
2. Uzunosmanoglu E1, Mocan MC, Kocabeyoglu S, Karakaya J, Irkec MMeibomian Gland Dysfunction in Patients Receiving Long-Term Glaucoma Medications. Cornea. 2016 Aug;35(8):1112-6.
3. Mocan MC1, Uzunosmanoglu E, Kocabeyoglu S, Karakaya J, Irkec M.The Association of Chronic Topical Prostaglandin Analog Use With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. J Glaucoma. 2016 Sep;25(9):770-774.

Why are dry eyes so traumatic in winter?

Why are Dry Eyes so Traumatic in Winter?

In the midst of winter weather, we will see an increasing amount of episodic dry eye. Symptoms tend to emerge with the dry winter air, using defrosters in cars, and the blasting heat in our homes and businesses. This can affect all of your people with dry eyes, but in particular exacerbate those marginal dry eye people by increasing the stress on the surface pof your eyes.  These episodic dry eye people will sometimes chose not to treat because of several reasons: it’s not time for their eye exam when the symptoms are occurring, or the symptoms come and go and are forgotten at the time of the eye exam. Questionnaires It is so important to evaluate episodic dry eye through a questionnaire. Whether it is the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) by Johnson & Johnson Tear Science or the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) by Allergan Pharmaceuticals, a questionnaire should be utilized to identify those patients experiencing occasional episodes of dry eye.This way, dry eyes can begin treatment at an earlier point, before the disease process continues to evolve and becomes a full-time affliction. Inflammation begets more inflammation and without taking action to address the inflammation we know clinically the disease process has a tendency to progress. Early Identification Earlier identification, even if the patient decides not to pursue treatment, will advise that you have identified a condition that is in need of dry eye treatment and is likely to progress if not addressed. people need to hear that the eye doctors have identified a potentially progressive disease process, Earlier treatment usually leads to quicker results with less intervention, as in almost any disease process. Identifying lid disorders such as MGD ( Medibomian Gland Dysfunction - clogging of the oil glands at the eye lids) at an earlier point will almost always be easier to treat with fairly minimal treatments such as  warm compress (Bruder or Gel Masks) ), as well as a good lid hygiene product (Avenova). Using a good supplement to address inflammation and increase tear production such as an Omega 6/Omega3 combination (Theralife Eye capsules) will also be great entry-level treatment. Some eye doctors will use a therapeutic such as Xiidra (Shire) or Restasis (Allergan) will also address the inflammation in a rapid manner. Getting episodic dry eye disease under control is key.  Learn more about TheraLife.  Help restore and revive your own tears for sustainable relief all day long.  No more drops.  Call Toll Free 1-877-917-1989  US/Canada

New Tests for Early Sjogren's Diagnosis

New Tests For Early Sjogren's Diagnosis

The hallmarks of Sjogren's Syndrome are severe dry eyes and dry mouth. It is an autoimmune disease where eventually the salivary and tear secretion glands can be killed and beyond rescue.  Now there are new antibodies that may allow diagnoses to be made early so appropriate treatments can start and prevent these irreversible damages.

These new antibodies are:

1.  SS- to salivary gland protein

2 CA6 - to caronic anhydrase 6

3. PSP- to paratoid secretory protein

The new antibodies were seen in 45 % of patients who met most of the clinical criteria for Sjogren’s except for the antibodies currently required for diagnosis, called Ro and La.

At least one of the novel antibodies is present in 76 % of patients who have had symptoms for less than two years and who also lacked the two antibodies required for definitive diagnosis, which appear late in the disease.

“The vast majority of patients we tested who have early symptoms of severe dry mouth and dry eyes also have these antibodies.

Sjogren’s Syndrome affects more than 4 million Americans, 90 % of whom are women. Last year, tennis champion Venus Williams announced that she had the disease.

Symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth so severe that they are painful.  The disease is also associated with kidney and lung disease, lymphoma, cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that is continually produced in Sjogren’s Syndrome.

Once the new antibodies were detected in mice, the scientists started testing human patients at Buffalo General Medical Center. The researchers found the same antibodies in humans even at early stages of the disease.

This is an abstract from the Clinical Immunology, Volume 145, Issue 3, December 2012, Pages 251–255

What Causes Watery Dry Eyes?

What Causes Watery Dry Eyes? 

Do you have watery eyes?  Yet your eye doctor tells you that you have dry eyes.  How can that be?

Frustrated?  Learn what causes watery eyes and how TheraLife can help. 

Reasons for your watery eyes

You probably had dry eyes for a long time, and your eyes did not get relief.  Now your have Reflux tears to help you provide moisture for dry eye relief.  Unfortunately, reflux tears ( the tear your cry with) is of poor quality.  Not thick enough to protect your eyes, making your eyes drier and drier.  This is similar to frequent use of eye drops, washing away your natural lubricants your eyes produce. 

Causes for watery eyes

1.  Allergies - especially seasonal allergies.  Allergies to pollen, dust mites, pet dander etc. will cause eyes to water.  Best remedy is to use an over the counter anti-histamine like Claritin or Zertac.  Consult your allergist about desensitization if your allergy is more serious.

2.  Blocked tear ducts- tear ducts are too narrow or blocked due to inflammation or swelling.  Eye infection can cause watery eyes afterwards.

3. Chronic dry eyes - dry eyes left untreated for a long time causing you to produce reflux tears.  Reflux tears ( the tear you cry with ) are of poor quality and serves to wash your eye balls clear of natural lubricants causing your tears to evaporate too quickly.  This is similar to using too many eye drops.

Treatment your Watery Dry Eyes with TheraLife Eye

TheraLife Eye stimulate your tear secretion glands to over come inflammation and restore normal function- resulting in balanced sustainable tears all day long.  Get relief today.

Watery dry eyes will take longer to relief because we need to first treat your dry eyes, then train your brain not to cry.  Call us for more details 1-877-917-1989

Can Menopasue Cause Dry Eyes?

Can Menopause Cause Dry Eyes? 

Menopause can cause dry eyes due to hormone imbalance.  This type of dry eyes affect more than 60% of the middle age women who are either peri-menopausal, in menopause or postmenopausal.

Hormone imbalance and aging are major causes.

Symptoms of menopause includes

• hot flashes,
• insomnia,
• vaginal dryness,
• mood swings,
• fatigue,
• headaches
• dry eyes. The eyes usually feel dry, itchy, red, irritated and light sensitive.

Common Treatments for Dry Eyes- Eye Drops.  

The most common solution for dry eye  are  eye drops. 
The more frequent you use the drops, the drier your eyes become.  Drops wash away all the natural lubricants your eyes produce, leaving your eyes-feeling dry.  If you have ever experienced putting a drop in your eyes, and you want to put another drop in 10 minutes later, you know what this means.  Drops simply cover up the symptoms temporarily.  Over time with frequent usage, the drops wash away the mucin, lipids and proteins that protect the eye. The eyes become conditioned to secret less tears and become drier.

Punctal Plugs for Dry Eyes

Another conventional approach is to block the eyes tear drainage system (punctal plugs) at the lower eyelids or sometimes both lower and upper eyelids. In some cases, the drainage is permanently cauterized (closed) in order to back up tears to provide comfort. In some cases, the plugs fall out, and the chances of eye infections increase due to poor drainage.

For moderate to severe dry eyes, very often, a prescription eye drop is prescribed. When patients have tried all these approaches and their eyes still hurt that is where TheraLife Eye Enhanced can help.

1. "TheraLife Eye Enhanced for Dry Eyes"
TheraLife Eye Enhanced is an all natural botanical product that stimulates the tear glands to secrete sustainable, balanced, natural tears. It does so by an intra-cellular mechanism called Mito-Activiation where intracellular activities of the tear glands increase and restore its normal function. TheraLife has conducted clinical trials in patients with various dry eye and medical conditions with amazing results. See section below, which describes the TheraLife Eye Enhanced Difference.

2. "TheraLife Menopausal Support"- All Natural, Safe and Effective
Hormone balance is vital to menopausal dry eye in women. Menopausal dry eye is usually initiated by hormone imbalance. For this reason, TheraLife sought for a product that will help achieve hormone balance during dry eye therapy in conjunction with TheraLife Eye Enhanced.

TheraLife Eye- Women’s Menopausal Support Formula is formulated to the exacting specifications of certified nutritionists. It contains recommended potency of key ingredients, Black Cohosh plus soy isoflavones are combined with essential nutrients like calcium, folic acid, and B-vitamins, that have been shown to support normal hormonal levels during menopause. This synergistic blend includes standardized herbal extracts and other nutrients which, together, form a truly well-balanced and effective product for women. an all-natural, herbal supplements made with natural ingredients to provide natural menopause symptom relief including dry eyes. These work naturally in the body to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms.

Safety:
TheraLife Eye –Women’s Menopausal Support product has been tested to meet the highest standards. There are no known major side effects from the recommended use of TheraLife Menopausal Support. It does not contain artificial dyes, colors, preservatives, flavors, yeast, wheat, gluten, or lactose. Our top priority is our customers' safety and satisfaction.

In addition to TheraLife Eye Enhanced, ThearaLife Eye- Women’s Menopause Support, we also recommend Primrose Oil and Fish Oil.

To learn more, visit TheraLife.com.