It’s common to experience both dry eyes and floaters at some point in life, which might leave you wondering, “Are these two connected? Can dry eyes actually cause floaters?” These two conditions may often occur together, but they are unrelated and stem from different underlying causes. However, the simultaneous presence of dry eyes and floaters can sometimes confuse individuals seeking relief, making it essential to understand how each condition affects your vision and overall eye health.
Dry eye primarily involves the surface of your eye, where insufficient tear production or rapid evaporation leads to irritation and discomfort. Floaters, on the other hand, originate inside the eye, caused by changes in the vitreous gel that fills the space between the lens and retina. Understanding the differences between dry eye and floaters is a crucial step in managing these conditions and ensuring your eyes remain healthy and comfortable.
At Bluebird Vision + Wellness, we take a holistic approach to eye care, focusing on both education and effective treatments to address your specific needs. From Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to InMode, our team is here to guide you in determining which treatment is best for you.
What Causes Dry Eye and Floaters?
Dry Eye
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to irritation, redness, and blurry vision. Common causes include:
- Hormonal changes
- Prolonged screen time
- Environmental factors like dry air or wind
- Certain medications
Floaters
Floaters are small, shadowy shapes that move across your field of vision. They are caused by changes in the vitreous gel inside your eye, which shrinks and clumps as part of the natural aging process. Although floaters are often harmless, they can occasionally indicate a more serious issue like retinal detachment or inflammation.
While these two conditions affect different parts of the eye—dry eye impacts the surface, while floaters occur inside—they can interact, with blurry vision from dry eye making floaters more noticeable.
Dry Eye Treatments at Bluebird Vision + Wellness
At Bluebird Vision + Wellness, we provide a variety of treatments to target the underlying causes of dry eye. These modern options focus on reducing discomfort and improving your overall eye health:
Lumecca IPL
InMode Lumecca IPL therapy uses gentle light pulses on the eyelids to reduce inflammation and promote healthy oil production in the meibomian glands. This treatment addresses one of the root causes of dry eye, significantly easing symptoms. For enhanced results, we offer Morpheus8, which amplifies the effects of Lumecca IPL to provide long-lasting relief.
Forma RF
Forma-I by InMode is a thermal treatment that uses bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy to gently heat the delicate areas around the eyes. This process soothes inflammation, restores the balance of oil and water in your tears, and prevents moisture evaporation. Forma RF can be combined with IPL therapy to rejuvenate the skin around the eyes and improve overall comfort.
Medicated Eye Drops
- RESTASIS: Designed to manage chronic dry eye by targeting inflammation and increasing your eyes’ natural ability to produce tears.
- Xiidra: Targets inflammation and provides relief in as little as two weeks when used twice daily.
Punctal Plugs
For patients whose tears drain too quickly, punctal plugs slow tear drainage to keep the eyes hydrated longer. We offer two types:
- Temporary plugs: Made of dissolvable collagen for short-term use.
- Semi-permanent plugs: Made of medical plastics for long-term relief, with the option for removal if needed.
Lid Scrubs
Lid scrubs help remove debris and reduce inflammation around the eyes. These oil-free pads are convenient and ready to use, promoting a clean and healthy eye surface.
Amniotic Membranes
Amniotic membranes have unique restorative properties that heal damaged corneas and treat dry eye simultaneously. Placed on a contact lens, these membranes help regenerate the surface of the eye, soothing pain, and improving vision.
TearCare System
The TearCare System applies localized heat therapy to the meibomian glands, which is especially effective for patients with evaporative dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Combining heat therapy with manual stimulation of the glands often yields significant results.
Managing Floaters
While floaters cannot be directly treated in the same way as dry eye, most cases are harmless and don’t require intervention. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you notice a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or vision loss, as these symptoms could indicate retinal detachment.
For those significantly impacted by floaters, treatment options include:
- Observation: Many people adjust to floaters over time, and they become less noticeable.
- Laser therapy: A laser can break up larger floaters to minimize their effect on vision.
- Vitrectomy: In severe cases, this surgical procedure removes the vitreous gel, eliminating floaters.
The Bluebird Vision + Wellness Difference
At Bluebird Vision + Wellness, we prioritize patient-centered care by offering cutting-edge treatments tailored to your needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from dry eye or need an assessment for floaters, our team is here to support your vision and overall well-being.
If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms of dry eye or if floaters are interfering with your vision, it’s important to schedule an eye exam. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and enhance your quality of life.
Ready to find relief? Book an appointment with Bluebird Vision + Wellness today and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
