Dry Eye & Blepharitis- Birmingham
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, irritation, and vision problems that can significantly impact your daily activities. Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids, specifically affecting the area where your eyelashes grow, causing red, swollen, itchy eyelids with flaky scales or crusting.
Dry Eye
Birmingham residents experiencing chronic dry eye symptoms have access to the most advanced prescription treatments available. Restasis (Cyclosporine A) works to reduce ocular surface inflammation while increasing your natural tear production over time, providing long-term relief rather than temporary symptom management. Xiidra (Lifitegrast) represents the newest generation of anti-inflammatory eye drops, specifically targeting the inflammatory pathways that disrupt healthy tear production.
For Birmingham patients seeking immediate relief, prescription steroid eye drops provide rapid reduction of acute inflammatory episodes. When bacterial infections complicate dry eye conditions, targeted antibiotic treatments address the underlying infection while promoting healing of the ocular surface. Oral medications, including doxycycline, offer systemic anti-inflammatory benefits, particularly effective for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.
Dry Eye Procedures
Professional Punctal Plug Procedures Microscopic silicone punctal plugs represent one of our most effective in-office treatments for moderate to severe dry eye. These tiny devices are carefully inserted into your tear ducts to prevent tears from draining away too quickly, essentially creating a natural reservoir of moisture on your eye surface. The procedure takes just minutes and provides immediate improvement for many Birmingham patients.
Thermal Therapy & Gland Expression Blocked meibomian glands are a primary cause of evaporative dry eye. Our advanced thermal therapy treatments use precisely controlled heat to melt hardened oils within these glands, followed by gentle expression techniques to restore normal oil flow. This combination therapy addresses the root cause of many chronic dry eye cases.
Blepharitis
Types of Blepharitis:
- Anterior Blepharitis: Inflammation of the front eyelid edge where eyelashes attach, often associated with bacterial overgrowth
- Posterior Blepharitis: Affects the inner eyelid margin that contacts the eye, typically caused by meibomian gland dysfunction
- Mixed Blepharitis: Combination presentations that require comprehensive treatment approaches
Treatment Options
At Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center, Dr. Jeffrey Kalt and Dr. Bianca Kizy provide comprehensive, evidence-based blepharitis treatment tailored to each patient’s specific condition and lifestyle needs. Our approach begins with a thorough evaluation to determine whether you have anterior blepharitis (affecting the front eyelid margins), posterior blepharitis (involving the meibomian glands), or mixed blepharitis, allowing us to develop targeted treatment protocols. For immediate relief, we prescribe antibiotic ointments applied directly to the eyelid margins to reduce bacterial overgrowth, while anti-inflammatory medications help control swelling and irritation.
For patients with severe or persistent blepharitis, we offer in-office treatments including professional gland expression, prescription oral antibiotics like doxycycline for their anti-inflammatory properties, and coordination with dermatologists when underlying skin conditions contribute to eyelid inflammation.
Our goal is not just to treat current symptoms, but to prevent future flares and complications while helping patients understand how to manage their condition long-term for the best possible quality of life.
