Dry Eye Treatment Providence
Lasting Relief
for Dry Eye
- Noninvasive dry eye treatments
- Board-certified ophthalmologist
- Treatments with >85% success rate
- Serving Rhode Island since 1995
Effective Dry Eye Treatment
Noninvasive Options
In addition to artificial tears and prescription eye drops, we offer three noninvasive, high-tech treatments for dry eye syndrome: LipiFlow®, IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, and TearCare®. These options use heat, pressure, and natural ocular function to loosen and melt hardened oils in the meibomian glands. The glands can then produce more oil to stabilize the tear film and improve your comfort.
A Technologically Advanced Practice
When you choose our board-certified ophthalmologist for your care, you can take advantage of the latest developments in the field. Dr. Ezra L. Galler was the first doctor in Rhode Island to treat a patient with laser vision correction and the first to perform EVO ICL. As the field of ophthalmology evolves, his practice evolves with it to continue providing patients with optimal care.
Dr. Galler Is Ready to Provide Relief Stop Suffering With Dry Eye
When dry eye syndrome causes ocular discomfort and redness, the persistent irritation isn't just a bother; eventually, inadequate tears can increase your risk of eye disease and diminished quality of vision. Providence patients trust Galler Eyecare Associates with their dry eye treatment because:
- Dr. Galler is a board-certified ophthalmologist.
- He can control your dry eye symptoms using some of the most sophisticated solutions available.
- He has a state-of-the-art practice that is dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain your best quality of vision.
During a consultation, Dr. Galler can determine if solutions like LipiFlow, IPL, TearCare, artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or just simple lifestyle changes are the best way to help you manage dry eyes. Don't wait any longer to find relief:
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
IPL is a painless method of unclogging the oil glands using light energy. This procedure requires no downtime and has been found to be more than 90% effective for dry eye sufferers experiencing meibomian gland dysfunction.
- A cooling gel is applied to the eyelids and special goggles are placed over the eyes.
- Dr. Galler uses a handheld device to apply short, concentrated bursts of light to the treatment site.
- The light melts the obstruction in the oil glands while reducing inflammation and curbing bacterial growth.
- Patients undergo a total of four treatment sessions over four months and begin experiencing improved dry eye symptoms after the first or second treatment session.
- Because dry eye syndrome is a chronic condition, patients usually need repeat IPL treatment about every nine months.
LipiFlow
LipiFlow is a modern take on the traditional method of combining massage and a warm compress to unclog meibomian glands. The procedure has no downtime.
- Dr. Galler administers anesthetic eye drops for your comfort.
- Single-use applicators make contact with both the outside and inside of your eyelids.
- The applicators apply gentle pressure and heat for 12 minutes to dislodge the gland obstructions.
- Dry eye symptoms improve over the next six to eight weeks as your tears regain the ability to lubricate your eyes.
- Effects typically last about a year, at which time you can undergo another LipiFlow treatment at our Providence ophthalmology office.
TearCare
The TearCare® System uses localized heat therapy and blinking to clear obstructions in the meibomian glands.
- Dr. Galler applies sterile single-use applicators to the eyelids. These applicators are designed to be flexible and comfortable.
- The applicators deliver a low heat to the treatment site for about 15 minutes. The heat melts the obstructions in the glands and blinking releases the oil.
- Treatment helps create a healthy tear film and patients can enjoy results for 6-12 months at a time.
- Treatment can be repeated once or twice a year as needed.
Patient Testimonial Your Comfort Is a Priority
“Dr. Galler's bedside manner is one of warmth, comfort as well as a keen ability to provide clear and transparent explanations to his recommendations.”
Relief Is a Call or Message Away Contact Dr. Galler in Providence Today
Dry eyes are annoying at best and cause serious ocular health issues at worst. You don't have to accept symptoms like:
- Burning
- Stinging
- Redness
- Blurred vision
- Eye fatigue
- Watery eyes
- Eye irritation
Dr. Galler in Providence, RI, is equipped to identify the root cause of your dry eye and provide a treatment customized to your needs. Take the first step toward achieving lasting relief today.
Affordable Treatment for Dry Eyes
At Galler Eyecare Associates, we want your dry eye treatment to be well within reach. We accept most insurances, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Aetna. We also accept financing through CareCredit® so you can manage out-of-pocket expenses with affordable monthly payments.
Dry Eye Syndrome Affects Millions
Dry eye syndrome occurs when tears fail to adequately moisturize the eyes. It's estimated that almost five million Americans over age 50 suffer from dry eye syndrome, most of whom are women.
Factors such as your age, the medications you take, your overall health, the time of year, and the amount of time you spend outdoors can lead to dry eyes. However, the fundamental issue is an imbalance in the composition of your tears, which have three essential layers:
- The inner mucus layer keeps tears evenly dispersed over the eye.
- The watery middle layer hydrates the eye and protects against bacteria.
- An outer layer of oil prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. It also gives the tears a smooth texture for improved focus.
During your visit to our Providence, RI, office, Dr. Galler can perform tests to identify any imbalance and prescribe treatment according to your needs.
“Gentle and thorough approach.”
“Dr. Galler is an excellent clinician who communicates clearly and has always gone the extra distance to make sure my family and I are well cared for. We trust his medical judgment 100% and we benefit greatly from his gentle and thorough approach to treatment and the high quality of service he and his staff provide.”
-Dr. Naami T.
FAQ About Dry Eye
What are other treatment options for dry eye?
In addition to LipiFlow, TearCare, and IPL therapy, Dr. Galler can help you explore lifestyle changes that could alleviate your symptoms. He can also prescribe eye drops and recommend artificial tears for relief. He may also suggest punctual plugs, devices that are inserted into the tear ducts to prevent the draining of tears and keep the eyes moist.
Are there other causes of increased tear evaporation?
Yes. In addition to meibomian gland dysfunction, increased tear evaporation and the resulting dry eye syndrome can be caused by factors such as infrequent blinking, eyelid abnormalities, eye allergies, and environmental conditions. Dr. Galler can identify the cause of your dry eye and recommend a solution that keeps the condition under control while protecting your ocular health. Solutions may include eye drops, artificial tears, taking breaks when reading or using a computer, plastic surgery, antihistamines, wraparound sunglasses, and humidifiers.
What else could be the cause of my dry eye symptoms?
In some cases, dry eye isn't a condition that occurs due to tears evaporating too quickly—instead, there simply aren't enough tears being produced. Tear production declines with age, rheumatoid arthritis can cause dry eye and ocular inflammation, certain conditions and medications can result in dry eye, and contact lenses with a high water content can dry out quickly, leaving your eyes under-lubricated. During an exam at our Providence office, Dr. Galler will examine your eyes to determine if a tear deficit is to blame for your dry eye symptoms and discuss treatment options.
