Bringing You the Joy of Comfortable Sight
Nobody likes dealing with uncomfortable eyesight, and we understand that struggle here at Littleton Eye Care Center. We look beyond the surface to understand your unique eye care needs and create personalized strategies to relieve and support your eye comfort.
If you’re dealing with dry eyes, we can help. We will work closely with you to develop a personalized strategy that considers the severity of your symptoms and meaningful relief for you. Whether we’re recommending an at-home strategy or one of our many in-office techniques, we’re ready to serve your sight.
Request an appointment and alleviate your symptoms today!
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What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a condition in which the eyes fail to produce sufficient tears to hydrate and nourish the eyes, making them uncomfortable and prone to irritation.We can detect signs of dry eye while it’s still developing with the help of technologies like LipiScan, allowing us to address your symptoms before they become more severe.
The Tear Film: The Building Blocks of Eye Comfort
The tear film is a thin layer of moisture that coats the eyes and protects them from dust, debris, and bacteria.
It’s made up of three main components: mucus, oil, and water.
- Mucus helps the tears spread evenly across the eye.
- Water is the primary component of tears and keeps the surface of your eyes hydrated.
- Oil helps seal the tear moisture so it doesn’t evaporate too quickly.
If any of these components are missing or affected, you may experience dry eye symptoms.
Types of Dry Eye
Though dry eye symptoms may be similar from person to person, there are 2 types of dry eye you can experience: evaporative dry eye and aqueous tear deficiency.
Your dry eye type will determine how we address your symptoms.
Evaporative Dry Eye
Evaporative dry eye is a type of dry eye caused by inadequate production of oil-producing glands in the eyelids. Without sufficient oil, tears evaporate too quickly, leaving eyes feeling dry and irritated.
It is the most common type of dry eye, often caused by a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction.
Aqueous Tear Deficiency
Aqueous tear deficiency is a type of dry eye caused by the lack of quality tears. Tears are essential to keep the eyes comfortable and lubricated; when they are lacking, they can become irritated, red, and sensitive.
This type of dry eye is often associated with autoimmune diseases that affect the tear-producing glands in the eyes.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Redness or inflammation in the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Excessive tearing
- Light sensitivity
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
Risk Factors
Common risk factors for dry eye include:
- Aging
- Prolonged computer use
- Exposure to dry or windy conditions
- Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Undergoing eye surgery
- Prolonged contact lens use
- Medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants
Common Dry Eye-Related Conditions
Dry eye is often associated with a few different eye conditions—conditions that we’re more than happy to address when you visit us for an appointment.
The most common of these conditions include meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is an eye condition that occurs when the meibomian glands—the oil-producing glands for your tear film—become blocked or obstructed.
When MGD occurs, these oils become trapped in the glands, which can lead to dryness and irritation of the eyes.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis occurs when the eyelids become inflamed and irritated, caused by bacteria, allergies, or environmental factors like smoke or wind.
Symptoms of blepharitis include redness, burning, flaking skin around the eyes, and excessive tearing.
In-Office Treatments
Our in-office strategies can help address more severe dry eye symptoms and offer longer-lasting relief.
OptiLight by Lumenis
OptiLight by Lumenis is a light-based, noninvasive treatment done in the area below the eyes to manage dry eye. The first and only IPL FDA-approved for dry eye management.
The treatment is safe, gentle, and is backed by more than 20 clinical studies.
Visit our OptiLight by Lumenis page to learn more.
LipiFlow
LipiFlow uses therapeutic heat and controlled pressure to unclog blocked meibomian glands. This enables the glands to secrete oils more easily, improving the quality of the tears.
LipiFlow applies gentle therapeutic heat and pressure to each eyelid using small devices comfortably attached to your eyelids, unblocking the meibomian glands and stimulating oil production.
Meibomian Gland Expression
Meibomian gland expression is a manual procedure that uses pressure and massage to help unblock meibomian glands and encourage the production of oils.
This helps to improve tear quality, alleviating dry eye symptoms.
At-Home Dry Eye Care Strategies
We can also offer at-home dry eye care strategies to help address minor symptoms or to help maintain your eye comfort.
Heat Masks & Warm Compresses
Heat masks and warm compresses can help manage dry eye symptoms by breaking up debris and blockages in the meibomian glands, allowing oils to flow to your tear film.
This can help reduce irritation, discomfort, and redness associated with dry eye.
Nutritional Strategies
Foods with high omega-3 fatty acids can help provide essential nutrients for maintaining healthy oil production.
Foods such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
It’s Time to Take Control of Your Eye Comfort
If you’ve been experiencing dry eye symptoms, don’t wait longer to find relief.
Request an appointment today and find long-term solutions for keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable!
Book AppointmentVisit Our Locations
Littleton Eye Care Center
- 104 Meadow St.
- Littleton, NH 03561
Contact Information
- Phone: 603-444-2592
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Lincoln Eye Care Center
- 78 Main Street
- Lincoln, NH 03251
Contact Information
- Phone: 603-745-4882
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Woodsville Eye Care Center
- 50 Smith Street,
- Woodsville, NH 03785
Contact Information
- Phone: 603-747-3190
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Our Brands
Offering frames from Please add Oakley, Michael Kors, and Coach, we have something to suit every style. We also carry a variety of options for children as well!
Choose from our selection of trendy glasses, and help your whole family look their best. With such a wide array of brands to choose from, you’re sure to find what you need at our optical gallery!
Come visit us today and see what we have to offer.
Our Google Reviews
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Littleton Eye Care Center
- 104 Meadow St.
- Littleton, NH 03561
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P: 603-444-2592
[email protected]
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Lincoln Eye Care Center
- 78 Main Street
- Lincoln, NH 03251
-
P: 603-745-4882
[email protected]
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Woodsville Eye Care Center
- 50 Smith Street,
- Woodsville, NH 03785
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P: 603-747-3190
[email protected]
