Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

What is IPL?

We’re proud to announce that IPL has arrived at our Chapel Hill office! IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light treatment, is the first and only FDA approved light therapy for dry eye management. After four sessions, there is a significant reduction in inflammation that contributes to meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a component of dry eye disease.

The Lumenis™ OptiLIGHT device is FDA-approved for the treatment of dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) for individuals aged 22 and older. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is also used to reduce the appearance of red and brown spots on the skin from conditions like rosacea, age spots, and sun spots, and can improve skin texture. The primary goal of your treatment is to improve the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease, ocular surface disease, and inflammation from MGD. This device has also been used off-label to treat lesions around the eyelid, including chalazion.

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How Does IPL Work?

The procedure is an individualized, targeted treatment that applies light to abnormal vessels that secrete inflammatory mediators contributing to MGD and dry eye. OptiLight IPL is a non-coherent, wide-spectrum diffuse light (not a laser or surgical procedure). The settings are adjusted according to your skin type and an assessment will be performed prior to initiating treatment in order to maximize effectiveness.

Benefits shown in studies include:

  • Reduction in inflammatory mediators
  • Destruction of abnormal vessels that secrete inflammatory mediators
  • Improvement in tear break-up time
  • Decrease in bacterial load around the eyelids that contribute to infection/inflammation
  • Restoration of meibomian glands

The goal is to break the cycle of inflammation leading to dry eyes.

Dry, itchy eyes aren’t just uncomfortable; they could signal a common condition known as dry eye disease. As an experienced optometry practice, Carrboro Family Vision in Chapel Hill understands the impact of persistent eye discomfort on daily life. That’s why we offer comprehensive dry eye treatment to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

With years spent helping patients see clearly and comfortably, we’ve become adept at diagnosing and managing this prevalent ailment. You deserve to enjoy every moment with clear vision—let us guide you there. Read on for soothing solutions to dry eye challenges!

Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eyes can make you feel uncomfortable, causing an irritating sensation as if something is in your eye. This common symptom happens when your tear production falters or tear evaporation occurs too rapidly, leading to inadequate moisture on the eye’s surface.

Many factors contribute to dry eye, including age, certain medical conditions, and environmental influences. Eye fatigue from staring at screens for long hours is another trigger that affects millions nowadays.

Symptoms vary but often include a burning feeling, redness, blurred vision and even watery eyes as the body tries to compensate for dryness. Understanding these symptoms is crucial before exploring treatments for dry eyes that improve comfort and protect your vision health.

Who We Are

Dr. Friel joined Carrboro Family Vision in 2018. After graduating with her Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She then completed a residency program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. Dr. Friel recognizes the difficulty with the treatment of dry eye disease and helps patients navigate this disease process with education, treatment protocols and encouragement. Being able to offer a solution to a problem either visual or medical brings joy to Dr. Friel’s day.

Dr. Kirchmer joined the team in March of 2023. She pursued her doctorate degree at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry. Upon graduation she was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army Medical Service Corps. Dr. Kirchmer provides comprehensive care with special interest in ocular disease, treating medical emergencies, and specialty contact lenses. She enjoys managing conditions such as keratoconus, irregular corneas, and dry eye. She strives to ensure everyone has a positive outlook on life!

We’re a top-rated optometry office with a specialized dry eye clinic, conveniently located in Chapel Hill across from University Place, with our own on-site parking lot.

Dr. Friel

Dr. Kirchmer

Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

Our Professional Dry Eye Treatment Services

At Carrboro Family Vision, we deliver targeted dry eye treatments tailored to restore your comfort and protect your vision. Our experienced team harnesses the latest advancements in eye care to directly address the unique challenges of each patient’s dry eye condition.

What We Treat

  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
  • Ocular Rosacea
  • Blepharitis
  • Refractive surgery related dry eye
  • Neurotrophic Keratopathy
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome
  • Thyroid Eye Disease (Grave’s, Hashimoto’s)
  • And more!

Comprehensive Eye Exam

An in-depth eye check-up is essential for tackling the symptoms of dry eyes. During the exam, our eye specialists will carefully evaluate your eye health, focusing especially on the moisture-keeping tear film.

We will search for any signs that might point to irritation or harm on the surface of your eyes, which could be the reason behind your discomfort. These detailed exams are vital in identifying what exactly is causing the dryness and in choosing how to treat it.

Our eye doctors employ advanced tools and techniques during these assessments to ensure they make accurate diagnoses. As a patient, you can expect personalized attention from experts who know just how much dry eyes can affect your everyday life and happiness.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Every person dealing with dry eye symptoms gets a customized treatment plan made just for their needs and how they live. Our team of eye care experts considers things like what each person does every day, how bad their symptoms are, and any other health problems to come up with the best approach for everyone.

This way, we make sure the treatments not only help ease the discomfort but also work well with patients’ routines.

Putting together these one-of-a-kind plans is often a team effort between our vision specialists and those we’re helping out. We pay close attention to find out how dry eyes affect people’s everyday lives and then join forces to figure out a plan that might involve different therapies or small tweaks in surroundings or daily habits.

Benefits of Choosing Professional Treatment

Choosing professional treatment for dry eyes means you’re getting expert care tailored to your specific needs. Eye care professionals use comprehensive exams to diagnose the root cause of your discomfort, ensuring that your treatment plan is as effective as possible.

This personalized approach not only improves symptoms but also helps maintain long-term eye health.

Professional treatments often include advanced therapies that go beyond over-the-counter options. These can range from cutting-edge techniques to spa-like procedures designed to stimulate tear production and provide relief.

With access to the latest advancements in vision care, patients can resume their daily activities with greater comfort and fewer interruptions due to dry eye symptoms.

Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

The Treatment Process

First Visit

We begin with a dry-eye focused medical appointment to establish a goal for dry eye treatment and to get to know one another. The first visit will involve tear film analysis, meibomian gland assessment, review of contributing factors such as medications and prior ocular surgeries, and utilizing elements like the OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire.

Treatment Options

We will review available treatment options such as:

  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) OptiLIGHT by Lumenis – targets inflammation
  • iLux – clears obstruction
  • Drops – prescription and over-the-counter
  • Scleral Contact Lenses
  • Non-drop therapies – lid hygiene, Tyrvaya nasal spray, or warm compresses

Payment Options

We work with major medical insurances and will utilize any coverage they have.

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Why Choose Us for Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC

With board-certified ophthalmologists, we ensure each person receives top-notch care tailored specifically to their needs.

Advanced therapies and a spa-like environment make our treatment options comfortable and effective. Our commitment extends beyond the clinic as we provide essential services to underserved communities, ensuring everyone has access to quality dry eyes treatment.

Count on us for solutions that tackle your symptoms head-on, offering relief and improved vision—right here in Chapel Hill, NC.

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Dry Eye Treatment in Chapel Hill, NC