Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons patients experience eye irritation, fluctuating vision, redness, and discomfort. At Monroe Vision Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to dry eye treatment, looking beyond temporary symptom relief to identify what may be contributing to your dry eyes.

Whether your symptoms are mild and occasional or affecting your daily life, our doctors can evaluate your tear film, eyelids, and meibomian glands and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your eyes.
 

What Causes Dry Eye?

Healthy tears are made up of several components that work together to keep the surface of your eyes smooth, comfortable, and protected. When your eyes don't produce enough tears or your tears evaporate too quickly, dry eye symptoms can develop.

Common causes and contributing factors include:

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or blocked oil glands

• Inflammation of the eyelids or ocular surface

• Age-related changes in tear production

• Hormonal changes

• Contact lens wear

• Prolonged screen time and reduced blinking

• Certain medications

• Environmental factors such as wind, dry air, or air conditioning

• Previous eye surgery
   

Often, dry eye has more than one contributing factor. That's why finding the right treatment starts with a thorough evaluation.

Dry Eye Symptoms
Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging

• Gritty or sandy feeling

• Red eyes

• Excessive watering

• Light sensitivity

• Fluctuating or blurry vision

• Eye fatigue or discomfort while using screens

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Feeling like something is in your eye

If these symptoms are affecting your comfort, vision, or ability to enjoy your everyday activities, it may be time for a dry eye evaluation.

Our Dry Eye Treatments:
Prescription Dry Eye Medications
Prescription eye drops can help address inflammation and improve the health of the ocular surface. Depending on the underlying cause of your dry eye, your doctor may recommend prescription treatment as part of your personalized dry eye management plan.

Meibomian Gland Expression
The meibomian glands along your eyelids produce oils that help prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or aren't functioning properly, your tears can evaporate too quickly. Meibomian gland expression helps remove blocked oils and improve gland function, supporting a healthier and more stable tear film.

Amniotic Membranes
Prokera® and CAM360® by BioTissue are FDA-cleared therapies that use cryopreserved amniotic membrane tissue to support healing of the eye’s surface. These treatments may be used for a variety of corneal conditions, including dry eye, corneal injuries, scarring, and recovery following eye surgery. The tissue undergoes rigorous screening and quality testing to ensure it meets strict safety and quality standards.

Lumenis OptiLight IPL for Dry Eye
OptiLIGHT by Lumenis is the first and only FDA-approved Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment for dry eye management. IPL therapy is an advanced treatment designed to improve symptoms of dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The treatment uses gentle pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes to reduce inflammation, improve oil gland function, and enhance tear quality.

Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs help keep tears on the surface of your eyes longer by reducing how quickly they drain away. This can be helpful for patients who do not produce enough tears or whose tears don't remain on the eye long enough.

Lacrifill®
Lacrifill® is a long-lasting treatment designed to help keep more moisture on the surface of the eye. It uses a biocompatible, slow-release gel that is placed into the tear punctum, helping reduce tear drainage and support a more stable tear film. Your doctor can determine whether Lacrifill or another form of punctal occlusion is the right option based on your individual tear film and dry eye needs.

Autologous Serum
Autologous serum eye drops are made from a small sample of your own blood and specially prepared into eye drops. Because they contain natural growth factors and proteins found in your blood, they can help support the healing and health of the eye’s surface. They may be recommended for patients with moderate to severe or persistent dry eye who have not found enough relief from traditional artificial tears and other treatments