Dry Eye & Blepharitis- Pleasant Ridge
Don't let dry, irritated eyes and inflamed eyelids steal another day from your life. Millions of Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome and blepharitis, chronic conditions that cause burning, gritty sensations, blurred vision, and unsightly eyelid crusting that can make simple tasks like reading, driving, or even applying makeup feel impossible.
Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or when the tears you do produce evaporate too quickly, leaving your eye surface inadequately lubricated and causing persistent discomfort that affects over 16 million Americans.
While dry eyes become more prevalent with age and are influenced by factors like computer use, certain medications, hormonal changes, and environmental conditions, the good news is that effective treatments ranging from prescription eye drops to advanced in-office procedures can provide significant relief and restore your eye comfort.
Symptoms and Treatment Options
Common symptoms include:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty feeling
- Foreign body sensation
- Eye strain and fatigue
- Night driving is difficult with glare
- Stringy mucus discharge
At Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center, Dr. Jeffrey Kalt and Dr. Bianca Kizy offer comprehensive dry eye treatment options ranging from basic artificial tears and warm compresses to advanced prescription medications like Restasis and Xiidra that reduce inflammation and stimulate natural tear production.
For patients requiring more intensive intervention, our practice provides in-office procedures including tear duct plug insertion to retain tears longer on the eye surface, thermal therapy to unblock oil glands, and professional eyelid expression treatments that address the root causes of dry eye syndrome.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the eyelids, particularly the area where your eyelashes grow, causing red, swollen, itchy eyelids with flaky scales or crusting that can make your eyes feel constantly irritated.
This persistent condition often occurs alongside dry eye syndrome and typically requires ongoing management rather than a one-time cure, but with proper treatment and daily eyelid hygiene, symptoms can be effectively controlled.
What Causes Blepharitis:
- Old or dirty eye makeup
- Touching your eyes with dirty hands
- Oil glands in your eyelids get clogged
- Getting older makes glands work differently
- Hormone changes affect oil production
Treatment Options
Dr. Jeffrey Kalt and Dr. Bianca Kizy at Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center provide comprehensive blepharitis management using evidence-based approaches that combine at-home care with advanced medical interventions. Their treatment protocols start with establishing proper eyelid hygiene using warm compresses and specialized cleaning techniques, then progress to targeted antibiotic therapies and anti-inflammatory medications when needed to control bacterial overgrowth and reduce eyelid inflammation. Since blepharitis requires long-term management rather than short-term fixes, our experienced ophthalmologists develop personalized maintenance plans for each patient, providing ongoing support and treatment modifications to ensure sustained eyelid health and comfort.
Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment options may vary from at-home care to in-office procedures, including:
- Daily warm compresses and eyelid massage
- Specialized eyelid cleaning routines
- Prescription antibiotic ointments and oral medications
- Anti-inflammatory steroid drops for severe inflammation
- In-office gland expression and eyelid cleaning
- Thermal therapy and advanced treatments like IPL
