Dry Eye & Blepharitis-Troy
At Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with the daily discomfort of dry, irritated eyes and inflamed eyelids that interfere with your busy and active lifestyle here in Troy. Whether you're experiencing the burning, gritty sensation of dry eye syndrome or the red, crusty eyelids characteristic of blepharitis, our board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. Jeffrey Kalt and Dr. Bianca Kizy bring over three decades of specialized experience to help restore your eye comfort and visual clarity.
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 protected. This happens because tears are a complex mixture of water, oils, and mucus that work together to keep your eyes moist – when any of these components are lacking or imbalanced, your eyes become dry, irritated, and uncomfortable.
Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center stays at the forefront of dry eye treatment by utilizing the latest diagnostic technology and advanced therapeutic options to provide our patients with cutting-edge care that goes far beyond traditional artificial tears. Our comprehensive approach includes state-of-the-art prescription medications like Restasis and Xiidra that target inflammation at the cellular level, combined with innovative in-office procedures such as thermal therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction, tear duct plug insertion for tear retention, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for severe cases.
Treating Dry Eye
Through advanced tear osmolarity testing, Drs. Kalt and Kizy can measure the salt concentration and chemical composition of your tears to identify specific imbalances that may be causing your dry eye symptoms. This enables them to develop a precise diagnosis and create a customized treatment approach that targets your condition.
We work closely with each patient to develop sustainable long-term management strategies that provide lasting relief and prevent future complications, ensuring you can return to enjoying clear, comfortable vision.
Some treatment options may include:
- Daily warm compresses and eyelid massage
- Specialized eyelid cleaning routines
- Treatment of underlying skin conditions
- Medicated cleansers and specialized products
- Regular monitoring and personalized treatment adjustments
- In-office gland expression and eyelid cleaning
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common chronic inflammatory condition that affects the eyelids, particularly along the lash line, causing red, swollen, itchy eyelids with flaky scales or crusty deposits that can make your eyes feel constantly irritated and uncomfortable. This persistent condition occurs when bacteria accumulate along the eyelid margins or when the tiny oil glands in your eyelids become blocked, leading to inflammation that can affect your appearance and daily comfort.
Causes of Blepharitis:
- Skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea
- Contaminated or old eye makeup and applicators
- Hormonal changes affecting oil gland function
- Age-related changes in eyelid gland function
- Bacterial overgrowth along eyelid margins
- Blocked or dysfunctional oil glands in the eyelids
Treatment Options
At Kalt-Goldberg Eye Center, Drs. Kalt and Kizy treat blepharitis through a comprehensive approach that combines daily eyelid hygiene protocols with targeted medical interventions to control inflammation and bacterial overgrowth effectively. Treatment begins with establishing proper warm compress therapy and gentle eyelid cleaning techniques, then progresses to prescription antibiotic ointments applied to the eyelid margins and oral medications like doxycycline when needed to reduce inflammation and restore normal eyelid function. Our experienced ophthalmologists understand that blepharitis requires ongoing management rather than quick fixes, so they work closely with patients to develop sustainable daily care routines and provide regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatments for optimal long-term eyelid health and comfort.
