Dry Eye Treatment

Find relief from dry, itchy, irritated eyes.

Dry eyes affect millions of people in the United States. It is estimated that as many as 4.88 million Americans over the age of 50 suffer from this uncomfortable condition.

If you need help, book an appointment at Aurora Eyecare. We’ll help you find a treatment option that brings you the relief you’re searching for.

What are the common symptoms of dry eye?

Everyone experiences dry eye differently because there are so many potential underlying causes.

Typical symptoms include:

Redness or eyes that appear irritated and bloodshot
Consistent burning or tingling sensations in the eyes
Eyes that feel itchy or as if they have something in them
Increased sensitivity to bright lights or sunlight
Excessive tearing, or eyes that always appear watery

What causes dry eye?

There are many potential causes of dry eye.

In some cases, the cause is obvious, such as environmental irritants or short-term inflammation.

Some of the other causes of chronic dry eye problems include:

Dysfunction of the meibomian glands
Blepharitis: demodex/bacterial overgrowth
Allergies and environmental irritants
Defects that affect the eyelid or shape of the eye
Certain medications
Hormonal imbalance
Autoimmune conditions and/or vitamin deficiencies

Because the underlying causes vary, treatment methods after diagnosis will also vary according to the patient. It is also not uncommon for there to be more than one cause for dry eye.

How is dry eye diagnosed and treated?

At our clinic, we use the Oculus Keratograph 5M, an advanced, non-invasive imaging device that allows us to thoroughly evaluate the health and stability of your tear film. This technology plays a key role in accurately diagnosing dry eye disease.

Here’s how it works:

Tear Film Analysis: The Keratograph uses infrared imaging to assess the quality, stability, and breakup time of your tear film—without needing dyes or eye drops. This helps us determine how long your tears stay on the surface of your eye before evaporating.
Meibomian Gland Imaging: Healthy oil glands in your eyelids are essential for preventing your tears from evaporating too quickly. The Keratograph captures high-resolution images of these glands, allowing us to detect early signs of gland dysfunction.
Redness Classification: It can also measure the level of redness in your eyes, which is a common indicator of inflammation caused by dry eye.
Blink Pattern Monitoring: The device monitors your blinking behavior to see whether incomplete blinks may be contributing to dry eye symptoms.
Eyelash Imaging: High-resolution imaging allows us to closely examine the base of your eyelashes for signs of Demodex mites and collarettes (waxy debris), which can contribute to inflammation and irritation on the eyelid margin.

By combining these measurements, we gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of your dry eye symptoms and can customize a treatment plan that targets your specific needs.

Some of the typical treatments include:

Prescription and OTC eye drops to combat inflammation
Treating blocked oil glands
Proper eyelid hygiene
Supplements including specific Omega-3 fatty acids
Fitting of scleral lenses for severe cases
In Office Procedures:
- OptiLIGHT by Lumenis IPL: Targets inflammation and abnormal blood vessels contributing to dry eye.
- Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) – Gentle red light therapy that warms the eyelids to soften and unclog Meibomian glands
- Manual Meibomian Gland Expression – Gently clears blocked oil glands to restore healthy tear film
- Lacrifill®: A long-lasting, dissolvable insert placed in the tear duct to help retain moisture.
- Zocular® ZEST: A professional eyelid cleaning treatment to remove biofilm, debris, and Demodex mites.
- Amniotic membrane therapy: Promotes healing of the ocular surface in more advanced or severe dry eye cases.

Dry eyes are not only uncomfortable — they can also be bad for the health of your eyes. Book an appointment at Aurora Eyecare to find relief.