Dry Eye Treatment

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease. Tiny oil glands located along the eyelids produce the protective oil layer of your tears. When these glands become blocked or stop functioning normally, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, blurry vision, redness, burning, and watery eyes.

Because MGD is progressive, early diagnosis and treatment can help preserve gland function and improve long-term eye comfort.

There is no single “best” treatment because dry eye disease has many different causes. The most effective treatment depends on the underlying problem. Your personalized treatment plan may include prescription medications, eyelid hygiene, nutritional recommendations, artificial tears, punctal plugs, or advanced therapies such as LipiFlow, OptiLight, or OptiLift. Our goal is to treat the underlying cause of your dry eye and provide lasting relief.

Dry eye disease develops when your eyes don’t produce enough healthy tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. The most common cause is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a condition in which the oil glands along the eyelids become blocked or stop functioning properly. Other common causes include aging, hormonal changes, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, autoimmune diseases, certain medications, prolonged screen time, previous eye surgery, and environmental factors such as wind or dry climates.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease. The meibomian glands produce the protective oil layer of your tears, which helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or stop working properly, the tear film becomes unstable, leading to burning, irritation, redness, watery eyes, and blurry vision. Many advanced dry eye treatments are designed to restore healthy meibomian gland function.

Although it seems contradictory, excessive tearing is one of the most common symptoms of dry eye disease. When the eyes become dry and irritated, they may produce an overflow of reflex tears. These tears lack the proper balance of oil and mucus needed to keep the eyes comfortable, so they do not provide lasting relief.

Artificial tears can temporarily relieve dry eye symptoms, but they often do not address the underlying cause of the condition. If your symptoms continue despite using eye drops, you may have inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, or another condition that requires specialized diagnosis and treatment. A comprehensive dry eye evaluation helps identify the root cause so treatment can be tailored to your specific needs.

For many people, dry eye is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management. Like high blood pressure or allergies, it often cannot be permanently cured, but it can usually be controlled with personalized treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment may help prevent the condition from worsening over time.

LipiFlow may be recommended if your dry eye is caused by blocked meibomian glands, also known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). During your dry eye evaluation, we use advanced diagnostic imaging to examine your glands and determine whether LipiFlow or another treatment is the best option for your specific condition.

Yes. OptiLight by Lumenis is the first and only FDA-approved intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for managing dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It works by reducing inflammation around the eyelids, improving meibomian gland function, and helping stabilize the tear film for longer-lasting relief.

Medical insurance often covers a comprehensive dry eye evaluation and certain medically necessary treatments. However, advanced procedures such as LipiFlow, OptiLight, and OptiLift are typically not covered by most insurance plans. Our team will explain your treatment recommendations, review all costs in advance, and discuss package pricing and financing options.

You should schedule an evaluation if your dry eye symptoms last more than a few weeks, continue despite using artificial tears, interfere with reading or computer use, make contact lenses uncomfortable, or cause blurry or fluctuating vision. Our dry eye specialist can identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment options.

Yes. If left untreated, chronic dry eye can damage the surface of the eye, increase inflammation, and lead to blurry or fluctuating vision. In more severe cases, dry eye may increase the risk of corneal damage or infection. Early diagnosis and treatment help protect the health of your eyes and maintain clear, comfortable vision.

Your evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and eye health. We then perform specialized testing to evaluate your tear quality, tear production, meibomian gland function, eyelid health, inflammation, blink function, and the surface of your eyes. Based on these findings, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to address the root causes of your dry eye.

There is no single “best” treatment because dry eye disease has many different causes. The most effective treatment depends on the underlying problem. Your personalized treatment plan may include prescription medications, eyelid hygiene, nutritional recommendations, artificial tears, punctal plugs, or advanced therapies such as LipiFlow, OptiLight, or OptiLift. Our goal is to treat the underlying cause of your dry eye and provide lasting relief.