Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment NYC by Marc Bystock L.Ac.

Treatment for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Keratitis Sicca, and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) by Marc Bystock NYC Acupuncturist in Midtown Manhattan NY

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

The single most frequent eye complaint brought to physicians is Meibomian gland dysfunction or dry eye syndrome. Over 25% of patient visits to most ophthalmic clinics involve complaints of dry eyes, making it a growing medical problem.

Dry eyes occur when your tears are insufficient to provide enough lubrication for your eyes. Having dry eyes may feel like an uncomfortable stinging or burning sensation. Treatments for dry eyes may be challenging. They include eye drops and lifestyle changes.

• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca is dryness and inflammation of the cornea and the conjunctiva.

• Keratitis Sicca is a dry eye syndrome characterized by dryness and inflammation of the cornea.

Your eyes blink every 10-12 seconds. The function of blinking is to pump the lacrimal sac, which brings water and oily fluid to cover the eye. This fluid keeps the eyes clean and moist. It is essential for this cycle to occur because the tear film lasts only about 10 seconds before it degrades.

• Dry eye syndrome is often associated with autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome. Autoimmune diseases cause inflammation that can destroy tear-producing cells, leading to dry eyes.

• Dry eyes are prevalent among women and may be related to hormonal dysregulation, particularly of estrogen and androgens.

• Peri-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women all frequently complain of dry eye syndrome.

• Long-term use of contact lenses can contribute to dry eyes by reducing corneal sensitivity.

• Environmental factors such as smoke, air pollution, air conditioning, and wind may contribute to dry eye syndrome.

• Antihistamines, decongestants, oral contraceptives, and eye drops (Visine, Murine) can all help to create a dry eye condition.

• Both women and men over the age of 55 may produce 40% less eye lubrication than they did at 25. Free radical production is part of the reason for this decline.

• Dryness and irritation
• Itchy eyes
• A burning feeling
• Some cases may have excessive tearing
• Sore eyes
• Fatigued eyes
• Heavy feeling in the eyes
• Blurry vision

After a careful examination by your doctor, the following diagnostic tests may be performed:

• Osmolarity test -  measures the salinity content of the tears
• Schirmer test -  measures tear volume
• Inflammatory test - measures MMP-9, a biomarker associated with dry eyes

Conventional Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome

Treatment may consist of artificial tear preparations in the form of drops.  A procedure called punctual occlusion, which reduces tear drainage from the eyes. Treatment may include Blephex, an instrument that scrubs across the eyelid where 50 gland openings are located. MiBoflo is a heated pad with ultrasound that melts lipids that may block tear flow.

Patients constantly seek acupuncture and natural therapies to manage their dry eye syndrome. Conventional medicine does not always help their condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views dry eye syndrome as a yin organ deficiency. If the yin energy becomes too low and the yang energy becomes too high, then dry eye syndrome will result. In Western terminology, that means inflammation has increased and affected the eye, making it feel dry.

With inflammation comes oxidative stress and a lack of vital nutrients in ocular tissue. The leading treatment principle in acupuncture medicine is to nourish the blood, move the qi, and increase blood circulation to the eyes. One study concluded that using eye drops alone improved dry eye symptoms in subjects by 53.85%. Drops must be used consistently throughout the day to be effective. 

The combination of drops and regular acupuncture treatments increased the outcome to 76.9%. This research demonstrates the need for acupuncture as a necessary clinical intervention for dry eyes. In a 2015 study using tomography with biomicroscopy, acupuncture was shown to significantly improve dry eyes. In traditional Chinese medicine, in ophthalmology, needles are never inserted into the eyes. Instead, needles may be placed on the hands, feet, forehead, and ears.

I specialize in treating patients with degenerative eye disorders. Approximately 75% of my patients will see improvement in their eyes within 5 to 10 treatments. Micro-acupuncture is the primary acupuncture system that I use for the eyes. It stimulates the brain and increases blood flow to the optic nerve and retina. The result is a decrease in both inflammation and oxidative stress to the eyes.

The eyes are like the camera to the brain; they use a tremendous amount of energy. When there is insufficient energy for the eyes and insufficient nutrients to support repair, dry eyes and degenerative eye disorders can develop.

In addition to acupuncture, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbs, and specialized dietary plans may be used to help improve your eye condition.