Is there a drop-free approach to treating dry eye disease (DED)?
DED affects tens of millions of Americans, causing significant discomfort and increasing the risks of light sensitivity, eye pain, red eyes, and vision loss. In a recent study, researchers found that patients treated with the iTear100 device had significant improvements in their symptoms, as well as improvements in the health of the ocular surface.
What is iTear®100?
The iTear100 device is an FDA-cleared neurostimulator device that Drs Silani and Younany prescribe to help patients with dry eye disease (DED). The iTear100 is a safe to use at-home device. It is a non-invasive, chemical-free, drug-free option for patients looking to produce more of their own natural tears (also known as basal tears).
How does iTear®100 work?
Tear film production is a lot more complicated than most people realize and is controlled largely by the Trigeminal nerve. The iTear100 works by sending tiny vibrations to a branch of the trigeminal nerve called the external nasal nerve (located at the top of each side of the nostrils). The iTear100 works by stimulating these nerves, triggering increased tear production naturally, without drops, drugs, or eye surgery. When the tip of the iTear100 meets the skin, it emits tiny vibrations to stimulate tear production, which includes mucin, aqueous, and lipid.
How does iTear®100 compare to other dry eye therapies?
Many people with DED rely on frequent application of eye drops to continually moisten the eye surface. Patients must apply these drops throughout the day to provide relief, and even then, they do little to help your eyes produce their own natural tears.
Other conventional therapies involve procedures to insert plugs into your tear ducts or cauterize tear duct openings to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
Drs Silani and Younany's patients use the iTear100 device to help stimulate natural tear production without implants, surgery, or continual use of drops. Instead, patients at Beverly Hills Optometry: Advanced Dry Eye Center, apply the neuro-stimulator device externally to each side of the nasal nerve for 30 seconds at a time (up to 4 times daily) to improve production of their tears.
Who would benefit from iTear®100?
1) Patients with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
2) Patients with autoimmune conditions (such as Sjogren’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Hashimoto's, etc)
3) Patients with a history of refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, Cataracts, ICL, SMILE.
4) Patients with a history of past ocular trauma or injury.
5) Patients currently taking or failed prescription eye drops such as Xiidra, Restasis, or Cequa.
Since dry eye disease is a severe condition associated with eye discomfort, blurry vision, contact lens intolerance, and serious eye complications, it is important to identify and treat early. To learn how iTear100 can help you relieve your DED symptoms and improve your eye health, contact Beverly Hills Optometry by booking an appointment today.