Ocular Surface Disease Treatment in Downtown Manhattan

What Is Ocular Surface Disease?

A collection of diseases affecting the cornea, conjunctiva and tear film is referred to as ocular surface disease (OSD). When you don’t get effective ocular surface disease treatment, the epithelial layer in your eyes suffers. That’s the outer seven layers of film that keep foreign debris out of your eyes. That’s also the parts of your eyes that absorb oxygen and nutrients.

Although there are many parts in your eyes, the cornea, conjunctiva and glandular network in the epithelial layer are the ones most frequently impacted by OSD.

Some types of ocular surface disease include:

• Dry eye syndrome,  when tear production is inadequate or of low quality, resulting in discomfort, redness and impaired vision
• Conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as pink eye, this is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white portion of the eye
• Pterygium, a non-cancerous conjunctival growth that overlaps the cornea, typically brought on by too much sun exposure
• Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, usually around the lash base
• Corneal ulcers and abrasions, wounds or infections, which can lead to discomfort, redness, and problems with vision
• Pinguecula, a yellow-colored growth on the conjunctiva, generally on the side nearest the nose, that’s frequently brought on by sun exposure
• Neurotrophic keratitis, a degenerative disorder that decreases corneal sensitivity and is caused by nerve damage
• Meibomian gland dysfunction, when your Meibomian glands may not be producing enough oil, leading to irritation of the eyelids and dry eyes

If you feel that your dry eyes are due to an ocular surface disease rather than dry weather or dehydration, contact your optometrist immediately. In NYC, Eye Physicians delivers accurate diagnoses and effective treatment.

What Are the Common Signs of Ocular Surface Disease?

Depending on the exact type, OSDs have a range of symptoms, from temporary to persistent.

Common signs of ocular surface disease include:

• Dryness
• Redness
• Irritation
• Tearing
• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Discharge
• Foreign body sensation
• Eye fatigue
• Eye rubbing

While many symptoms of OSDs are similar to other kinds of eye disorders, your New York City doctor looks for several distinctive signs that differentiate it from other conditions.

These different symptoms include:

• Specific changes in your vision, such as halos around lights, can suggest corneal abnormalities or dystrophy.
• Pus-like discharge indicates bacterial conjunctivitis; however, watery discharge could indicate allergic conjunctivitis.
• Sharp, stabbing pain is common with corneal disorders, although slow, lingering discomfort may indicate inflammation.
• The location and duration of OSD symptoms differ from other conditions.

What Causes Ocular Surface Disease?

Inflammation of the eyelids is a main cause of OSD because it affects tear film function and raises the risk of infection. This impairs ocular surface health, resulting in disorders such as dry eye syndrome and conjunctivitis. Blepharitis must be properly managed to prevent and mitigate the effects of related ocular surface disorders.

Various other factors can cause OCDs, such as:

• Bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections can cause conjunctivitis, keratitis and corneal ulcers.
• Improper hygiene with the use of contact lenses can raise the risk of infection or dry eye.
• Reactions to allergens such as pollen or pet dander can cause allergic conjunctivitis or exacerbate pre-existing ocular surface disorders.
• Dysfunction of oil-producing glands can cause evaporative dry eyes and other surface issues.
• Direct trauma to the eye can result in corneal abrasions, scratches or other injuries to the ocular surface.
• Environmental factors such as pollution and smoke exposure can damage the outer part of your eyes.
• Many chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders affect the eyes.
• The natural aging process contributes to the worsening of symptoms such as dryness, pain and inflammation.
• Insufficient omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin A consumption can impair tear formation.
• Hormone fluctuations in pregnancy or menopause might cause dry eye symptoms.
• Extended screen time or extensive concentration on visual work can strain the eyes.
• Procedures such as LASIK and cataract surgery can cause temporary disruptions in tear film stability.
• Some people may be genetically predisposed to particular OSDs.

Once the causes are identified, the next crucial step is making the diagnosis. The diagnostic procedure entails reviewing symptoms and history, analyzing visual acuity, examining eye structures, assessing tear quality, using dye to detect anomalies, evaluating meibomian glands and performing additional tests as necessary.

What Are the Ocular Surface Disease Treatments?

Treatment for OSDs varies according to their cause and severity. Ocular surface disease treatment is based on the best approach for your specific needs and conditions.

Options for your treatment plan may include:

• Lubricating eye drops to enhance natural tear production, which relieves dryness and discomfort
• Steroid eye drops or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to lessen the inflammation and pain associated with your symptoms
• Antibiotic eye drops if you have a bacterial infection
• Using specific wipes or solutions to clean the eyelids and lashes
• Warm compresses on the eyelids to loosen hardened oils in the meibomian glands, increasing tear flow and reducing pain
• Fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, which enhance the quality of tears and reduce inflammation
• Punctal plugs, which are little devices put into the tear ducts to keep tears from draining too quickly from the eyes
• Prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and increase tear production
• Scleral lenses that work well with severe dry eye illness by forming a reservoir of fluid between the lens and the cornea

Lifestyle changes may be recommended as well to reduce your symptoms and often, clear up the disease all together.

Changes your Manhattan optometrist recommends may include:

• Avoiding dry or dusty settings
• Limiting screen time
• Managing conditions such as autoimmune illnesses

Surgical procedures may be required to increase tear drainage or address eyelid irregularities, such as blepharoplasty to correct lid malposition or conjunctival surgeries such as amniotic membrane transplantation to promote healing and minimize inflammation.

What Happens if I Don’t Get Ocular Surface Disease Treatment?

Untreated ocular surface disease can aggravate symptoms even more and lead to serious consequences such as:

• Corneal damage
• Vision impairment
• Permanent vision loss

Children are more likely to develop conjunctivitis as a result of their exposure to various pathogens and allergens, so it’s vital that you seek treatment at the first sign of vision problems with a pediatric optometrist like you find at NYC-based Eye Physicians. Early intervention is the key to preventing vision loss. Contact Eye Physicians to ensure your eyes receive the best high-quality care they need.

In addition to ocular surface disease treatment, receive outstanding treatment for a wide range of conditions, such as:

• Lazy eye
• Double vision
• Gritty eyes
• Burning eyes
• Ocular rosacea
• Styes

Page Updated on Jul 5, 2024 by Dr. William Hogue, OD (Optometrist) of Eye Physicians

Eye Physicians
110 Lafayette St, Suite 503
New York, NY 10013
(212) 292-4814

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