Dry Eye

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Restasis® (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%) is a new drug for treating the painful and irritating condition known as dry eye.  Restasis® comes in drop form, which reduces the inflammation which causes dry eye.  Before the introduction of Restasis®, there was no effective drug for treating the cause of dry eye disease, which has no cure.  Symptoms were treated, giving temporary relief.

As with many drugs, Restasis®, too, has side effects.  Most often these are limited to a temporary burning sensation.

Another treatment for dry eye disease is punctal occlusion.  Tears are secreted onto our eyes and become part of the tear film. The tear film drains away from our eyes through a drainage channel. 

 With punctal occlusion, your eye doctor inserts a small plug in one or more of these channels to slow the drainage of tears.  By slowing the drainage, more tears stay on your eyes, relieving dry eye symptoms. The procedure is simple and can be performed in-office in just a few minutes.

Cape Coral Eye Center periodically conducts research studies on dry eye disease.  Please check our news section for more information and to see if you qualify for one of these studies.