Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is more common among middle-aged and elderly people but can also occur in individuals with prolonged eye use or who live in dry environments. Treatments include medication, physical therapies, and advanced stem cell therapies. If treatment is delayed, it may lead to corneal damage and vision loss, severely affecting quality of life, so early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Emerging Treatments

Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy promotes repair and regeneration of ocular tissues, effectively improving lacrimal gland function and ocular surface environment, helping to restore tear secretion and stabilize the tear film. This therapy offers clear advantages:

① Efficiently promotes tissue repair

② Improves ocular microenvironment

③ Reduces inflammatory response

④ Restores tear secretion

⑤ Provides long-term symptom relief

Conventional Treatments

1. Artificial Tear Supplements
Artificial tears are the most common symptomatic treatment, providing immediate relief of dryness and irritation, but require frequent use. They are suitable for mild to moderate dry eye patients.

2. Anti-inflammatory Therapy
For inflammatory dry eye, ophthalmic steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to control ocular surface inflammation, reduce tear film instability and cell damage, and improve symptoms.

3. Warm Compresses and Meibomian Gland Massage
Applying warm compresses and massage promotes oil secretion from the meibomian glands, enhancing the stability of the lipid layer of the tear film, reducing tear evaporation, and is suitable for evaporative dry eye.

4. Punctal Occlusion
Punctal plugs reduce tear drainage, increase tear retention on the ocular surface, and improve tear film stability, suitable for patients with insufficient tear volume.

5. Lifestyle Adjustments
Includes avoiding prolonged eye use, improving environmental humidity, and maintaining good eye hygiene, which helps relieve dry eye symptoms and prevent worsening of the condition.

6. Nutritional Supplements
Consuming a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and antioxidants supports eye health and helps alleviate dry eye symptoms.

7. Physical Therapies
Such as low-energy laser therapy and photodynamic therapy, which can stimulate lacrimal gland function and promote ocular surface repair, gradually becoming new options for dry eye treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment of dry eye syndrome requires an individualized plan. Experts at United Life International Medical Center remind us that stem cell therapy brings new hope to dry eye patients, and combining multiple therapies yields better results. Early intervention and standardized treatment are essential to improving patients' quality of life.