Doctors seeing spike in dry eye cases across Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Doctors in Santa Barbara are seeing a rise in patients with dry eye conditions.

Ophtalmologist Douglas Katsev is getting busier at the Santa Barbara Eye Care lately. 

He believes there's a dry eye epidemic, caused in part, by hours spent staring at screens.

“The problem with people today … when I first started practice … my patients in their 60's came in … they read books," said Katsev. “But the screen time is really affecting their eyes because they’re drying out when they do it they’re concentrating when they’re doing it … they’re not blinking as much.”

Deana Dongieux is one of his patients suffering from dry eyes. 

“Oh we’re using screens all the time yeah … hahaha … watching tv," said Dongieuz.

But she’s not alone. 

According to the National Eye Institute, over 20 million Americans are experiencing symptoms of dry eye Syndrome.

“We are seeing that the dry eye syndrome is much more than it used to be. I think part one because we’re living longer, which is great but part two is we’re using technology that really increases that dry," said Katsev.

Katsev believes there’s a new cutting edge solution to  lessen the effects of  dry eyes.

“The newest thing that we have now is this radio frequency and light pulsation," said Katsev.

This new treatment called "Envision" uses controlled radio frequency and pulsed light ... to restore function to the Meibomian glands.

Dongieux just finished this new treatment.

“It didn’t hurt at all. Just a little pressure and little bit of heat and it was really quick," said Dongieux.

“Right now this is the only office in town … you can do it in other cities," optometrist Nina Katsev of Santa Barbara Eye Care.

Katsev says other steps to help ease mild effects of dry eyes include using preservative-free eye drops.

He also encourages looking away at a distant object for a few minutes every half hour to rest the eyes, and to be aware of your conditions.

"If you’re working in your computer and your eyes are hurting … put some artificial tears in … there’s other options medications your ophthalmologist can provide you," said Doug Katsev.

For more information on dry eye treatment, visit: https://www.santabarbaraeyecare.com/.