Dry Eye Treatment at Desert Iris Vision in Gilbert AZ

After a busy day, it is easy to dismiss burning, gritty, or tired-feeling eyes as a side effect of being exhausted. But it could signal an active eye condition rather than something that will pass with rest. At Desert Iris Vision in Gilbert, AZ, Shadan Zangana provides specialized dry eye treatment, helping you solve the root cause of the problem.

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What is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye develops when your eyes cannot produce enough tears. It can also happen if the tears you produce evaporate quickly and aren't stable enough to provide the lubrication your eyes need. Typically, dry eye disease is categorized into two:

• Aqueous-Deficient – Formation of low tear volume
• Evaporative – The ocular oil gland functioning improperly

It is a common misconception that tears are just water. Instead, they are a layered film made of oil, water, and mucus. Any problem with one of these layers can disrupt the defensive film that coats the front of your eyes, causing irritation, redness, and discomfort associated with dry eye.

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What Causes Dry Eye

An insufficient or imbalanced tear film is the primary cause behind dry eye. Apart from that, several factors risk compromising the tear film:

• Meibomian gland dysfunction – This is the most common underlying cause. Tiny glands along your eyelid that produce the oily layer of tears, become blocked or dysfunctional, which causes tears to evaporate too quickly.
• Reduced blinking – Tears evaporate faster when you blink less frequently. This is common when using a screen or reading.
• Environmental factors – Dry climates, air conditioning, heating, and exposure to smoke, dust, or wind can all increase the rate at which your tears evaporate.
• Aging – As you get older, your tear volume naturally declines. Dry eye is common to some degree for individuals aged 50 and above.
• Hormonal Changes – Dry eye symptoms can increase with hormone fluctuations, particularly during pregnancy or menopause.
• Prescription medication – As a side effect, many prescription medications like antihistamines, blood pressure medicines, or antidepressants can reduce tear production.
• Autoimmune and systemic diseases – Conditions like Sjögren's Syndrome, thyroid disease, or arthritic diseases directly disrupt the glands responsible for tear production.

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Signs of Dry Eye

Symptoms of dry eye disease affect both eyes at the same time and often start with mild discomfort that can escalate to severe irritation. Common symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging – A persistent feeling of irritation that worsens in the afternoon and evening. The discomfort also increases in windy or dry environments.
• Gritty or sandy-feeling eyes – Constantly feeling as if something is stuck in the eye and won't come out.
• Redness and Eye Fatigue – Chronically red eyes that do not improve with rest or heavy-feeling eyes, especially after screen time or reading.
• Watery eyes – This is a paradoxical symptom, as it sounds counterintuitive for dry eye, but dryness can trigger a reflex that overwhelms the tear film and makes your eyes water.
• Fluctuating blurry vision – Your vision becomes blurry and clears up with continuous hard blinking.
• Light sensitivity – You may frequently squint because indoor lights or sunlight cause discomfort.
• Uncomfortable contacts – Your contact lenses start feeling uncomfortable. This can be relative to how comfortable you felt when you first started wearing contacts.

Experiencing any one or a group of these signs and symptoms may indicate that you are a candidate for dry eye treatment.

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Treatments for Dry Eye Disease

Apart from diagnosing symptoms to relieve surface irritation, Shadan Zangana also focuses on treating the underlying cause of your dry eye. Based on the severity of your condition, common treatment options used are:

• Thermal Pulsation Systems – These specialized medical devices apply gentle pressure and heat to your eyelids. This helps clear the hardened waxy oils that typically block the meibomian glands and restore the balance of your tear film.
• Intense Pulse Light Therapy – Also called IPL, this delivers a precise flash of light directly to the skin under the eyelids and cheeks. This reduces abnormal blood vessels, alleviates inflammation, and opens up gland blockages, reducing tear breakdown.
• Punctal Plugs – Tiny plugs are placed directly in your tear ducts to slow drainage and keep natural tears on your eye’s surface longer.
• Prescription anti-inflammatory drops – For persistent dry eye, doctors may prescribe drops that reduce inflammation and support natural tear production. Medications like Cyclosporine and Lifitegrast are commonly used.
• Artificial tears and evaporation drops – To supplement your natural tear film or slow tear evaporation, drops may be recommended based on your type of dry eye.

Other treatments include nasal sprays to stimulate natural tear production, short-term corticosteroid prescriptions, and blepharitis treatments. Most patients frequently require more than one approach working in tandem. An appointment at Desert Iris Vision remains the best course of action to seek accurate diagnosis to your dry eye problem.

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What to Expect From Your Dry Eye Treatment

It starts with a conversation and an examination regarding your symptoms. They discuss the duration, any medications you may be taking, and any current health conditions to determine whether they play a role in your disease.  Shadan Zangana checks the surface of your eyes and eyelids, evaluates your tear film, and may also assess your tear evaporation rate. This helps diagnose the underlying cause, which is the most important factor in choosing your treatment.

After treatment, you'll receive advice on dietary and lifestyle changes to support long-term eye health. Common recommendations include taking omega-3, staying hydrated, and taking regular screen breaks. You may also be advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which states looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

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Payment and Insurance

Desert Iris Vision is glad to discuss accepted insurance plans and payment options available. Please reach out to us directly with any questions before your visit.

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Schedule Your Dry Eye Treatment Appointment Today!

Do your eyes feel gritty or burning, or are your eyes persistently red? Contact Desert Iris Vision and discuss your treatment options. Call or visit us to schedule your appointment today.

Contact Information
Desert Iris Vision
3546 S Power Rd #105
Phone: (480) 907-0123