Medications have their place, but did you know that there are also quick, easy in-office (non-pharmaceutical) treatments to help keep your eyes happy and healthy?

And what if I told you that these treatments are usually covered by medical insurance, and provide a big boost to eye health and comfort with no long term regimen for you to remember?

Today, we’ll highlight two such examples, and why they might be something for you to consider.

Dissolvable Collagen Punctal Plugs

Each of our 4 eyelids has a tiny round hole where tears drain out, called a lacrimal punctum. When we want tears or medications to remain on the surface of the eye longer, the use of temporary, reversible plugs can work wonders.

With the help of a slit lamp biomicroscope (these plugs are tiny—only around one third of a millimeter in diameter), your optometrist will gently insert a collagen plug so it sits inside the lacrimal punctum, where you can’t feel it at all. The procedure is completely painless, takes about 30 seconds, and provides benefits for the next 6 months as the collagen plugs dissolve.

Commonly used for:

Dry Eye Disease: More moisture means improved comfort.
Glaucoma: Medications are more effective when they stick around longer.

Amniotic Membranes

If there’s one treatment that makes patients say “wow” more than any other, it’s amniotic membrane therapy. To make a very long story as short as possible, amniotic membranes are like a magic healing bandage for the surface of the eye.

In more scientific terms, an amniotic membrane is a thin (around 35 microns thick) disc of donated placental tissue that contains growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and other natural components that can work wonders for certain types of dry eye disease, corneal scars, recurrent corneal erosions, and other acute and chronic conditions of the ocular surface.

In amniotic membrane therapy, your optometrist will use anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eyes and keep them comfortable, apply the amniotic membrane disc to your eye, and place a contact lens over the membrane to hold it in place. The entire procedure takes around 5 minutes or less. The membrane is typically left in place for 24–72 hours, as it dissolves and absorbs into the cornea.

Commonly used for:

Dry Eye Disease
Recurrent Corneal Erosions
Corneal Scars, Injuries, or Infections

* Both of these procedures (and others) are covered under most medical insurance plans, making them a great option any time, and an even better option this time of year when deductibles have been met.

If either of these sound like they might help you, or if you have any other questions, we’re here to help!

Call or text us today to get started at (630) 852-0102. However, if you'd rather schedule your own appointment now you may do so on our website.

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