Dry Eye Treatment Options

How can I help prevent dry eye symptoms?

  • Blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for a long time.

  • Make sure there’s adequate humidity in the air at work and at home.

  • Wear sunglasses outside to reduce sun and wind exposure. Wraparound glasses are best.

  • Take supplements with essential omega-3s

  • Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to avoid dehydration.

  • Find out if any of your prescriptions have dry eye as a side effect and if so, see if you can take an alternative.



For mild cases of dry eyes, the best option is over-the-counter eye drops. Here are a few tips for selecting the right one:

  • Low viscosity – These artificial tears are watery. They often provide quick relief with little or no blurring of your vision, but their effect can be brief, and sometimes you must use these drops frequently to get adequate relief.

  • High viscosity – These are more gel-like and provide longer-lasting lubrication. However, these drops can cause significant blurring of your vision for several minutes. For this reason, high-viscosity artificial tears are recommended at bedtime.


For more serious cases of dry eye, our team will help determine which treatment options make sense.

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Punctal Plugs – Tear ducts can be plugged with tiny silicone plugs to reduce tear loss. By partially or completely closing your tear ducts, it can keep your tears from leaving your eye too quickly.

Intense-Pulsed Light Therapy (PL) – This utilizes pulses of light to liquefy and release hardened oils that have clogged glands in the eyelids.
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  • How does it work?
    To guarantee optimal comfort, the treatment area will be coated with coupling gel by your healthcare provider. For the safety of your eyes, protective IPL goggles or pads will be worn throughout the entire session. Each treatment session typically spans around 15 minutes. While the treatment is gentle, you might sense a warm feeling as the light touches your skin. Rest assured, any discomfort should be minimal. After the IPL treatment, your physician might also offer the option of meibomian gland expression, a procedure that can enhance the healing process for both your skin and eyelids

  • What should I expect after treatment?
    Right after the procedure, you might notice temporary redness around the treated regions, typically fading within a few hours. In most instances, you can promptly apply makeup and resume your daily routines on the same day. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend avoiding direct sunlight for a few days post-treatment and applying sunscreen to safeguard your skin

iLUX® - This device is used to heat and compress glands in the eyelids of adult patients with this specific type of dry eye. Potential side effects may include eyelid/eye pain requiring stopping the treatment procedure, eyelid/eye irritation or inflammation, temporary reddening of the skin, and other eye symptoms (burning, stinging, tearing, itching, discharge, redness, feeling like there is something in the eye, changes in your vision, sensitivity to light).

Scleral Lenses - Scleral lenses stand out as an essential dry eye treatment option for individuals seeking relief. By offering a unique blend of clear vision and sustained ocular moisture, these lenses present a promising solution for those grappling with dry eyes. Contact our team to learn more about the potential of scleral lenses and their advanced technology to alleviate discomfort and promote healthier eyes.

Are you interested in IPL?

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