WHAT?S NEW IN DRY EYE & ALLERGY MANAGEMENT?

25% of all visits to eye care professionals are due to dry or allergic eyes. About 75 million Americans suffer from dry eye symptoms on a regular or occasional basis. In addition, approximately 1/3 of dry eye patients also suffer from allergic conjunctivitis. About half of all adults suffer from allergies and about 80% of allergy sufferers who take medication experience swollen eyelids and/or itchy, watery, red eyes. We take your complaints seriously and we?re armed with the latest treatments.

RESTASIS

is the first available prescription treatment for chronic dry eyes due to decreased tear production. It works by increasing the production of your eyes? own tear. Artificial tears do not increase tear production. (www.restasis.com)

SmartPlug is the latest development in dry eye therapy. This innovative device is used to occlude the "punctum" or tear duct and conserve the eye?s natural tears. SmartPlug is made from a flexible thermosensitive acrylic material that adjusts to the exact shape and size of your punctum. This procedure is painless, fast, and performed in-office while you remain in a sitting position. If you experienced discomfort or frequent loss of previous punctual plugs, SmartPlug may be your answer. (www.medennium.com)

An exciting breakthrough technology, FlexMD?s Tear Assay System, allows testing of your tears to determine the underlying cause of your ocular discomfort. We expect to receive this instrument in our office in late 2005-6. This system will help Dr. West differentiate between aqueous deficient dry eye, evaporative dry eye, allergic conjunctivits, or combination disease processes. This instrument will provide me with the hard scientific data needed to augment my clinical observations and customize your treatment plan. In addition to dry eye and allergy management, exciting new applications in Laser Vision Correction and contact lens care are also being researched. (www.flexmd.com)