Dry Eye Therapy

The Only Dry Eye Specialist In Florida Keys

Irritating, Uncomfortable Eyes

We use our eyes all day long, but we rarely think of them—unless they’re uncomfortable, and then they’re all we think about. Adults might turn to redness-relieving eye drops, while kids often rub their eyes. But neither strategy tackles the true cause of tired, scratchy eyes.


Dry eye is a chronic, common, and uncomfortable condition, impacting more than 16 million Americans. Not only is it irritating, but it can really put a damper on your daily activities. Dry eyes can decrease your quality of life and hinder productivity.


But relief is available! Book an exam today for a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose your dry eye symptoms. If left untreated, dry eye can lead to long-term infections and eye damage down the road. Any time your eyes are uncomfortable, it’s best to pay us a visit and rule out more problematic conditions.

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Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms generally occur in both eyes at the same time and can include:

Stinging or burning

Gritty or scratchy feeling

Foreign body sensation

Red or watery eyes

Blurry vision

Sensitivity to light

Eye fatigue

Stringy mucus in or around your eyes

Discomfort when wearing contacts

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book your appointment to explore dry eye treatment options today.

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Leaders in Dry Eye

We are the leading dry eye facility in the Florida keys and continue to invest in equipment to help solve your dry eye problems. Dry eye testing is comfortable and helps us obtain better information.

Testing
TearLab Osmolarity https://www.tearlab.com/
Determines the composition of your tears to determine to root cause of your dryness


Oculus Meibographer https://www.oculus.de/us/dry-eye/
Advanced imaging technique to better understand your blink rate and meibomian gland structure


Treatments
Tear Care https://tearcare.com/ 
Localized heat therapy for those with evaporative drye eye caused by meibomian gland disease. This therapy is followed with manual expression of glands by your eye doctor.


Optilight https://lumenis.com/vision/products/optilight/
Light-based therapy to reduce inflammation and bacterial growth around the eye


Optiplus https://lumenis.com/vision/products/optiplus/

Precisely delivers heat with radiofrequency across several skin layers, to both target the meibomian glands and enhance collagen formation. This aids in melting and removing stagnant oils in glands and improves the mechanical quality of the blink.


Punctal Plugs
Tiny silicone plugs close the opening (puncta) where your tears drain, conserving your tears


Medicated eye drops
Prescription products designed to improve tear production with regulated use. Oral prescription drugs or nasal spray may be prescribed also.

Eye Nutrition
Will help reduce inflammation, promote healthy tears, and support the oily outer layer of your eyes


Please call our office to set up a dry eye evaluation to discuss which therapies may help you the most.

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What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry is exactly what it sounds like—it occurs when your eyes aren’t producing enough lubrication to keep them moist and comfortable.


There are 2 main types of dry eye. The first—and least common—occurs when the eyes simply don’t produce enough tears. The second occurs when the tears are of poor quality.

  • Decreased Tear Production

    Reasons for decreased tear production are varied and might include:


    Contact lens wear

    Normal aging

    Medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants

    Medical conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s Syndrome

    Recent laser vision correction surgery

  • Poor-Quality Tears

    Good-quality tears depend on a balanced and effective tear film. The tear film is made up of 3 layers—a mucus layer to spread the tears over the surface of the eye, a water layer to hydrate the eye, and an oil layer to keep the water from evaporating too quickly. If there’s an imbalance in the tear film, dry eye syndrome can result.


    The tiny glands along the top and bottom edges of the eyelids, called the meibomian glands are responsible for producing the oil layer of your tear film. Blockages in these glands can cause a reduction in the amount of oil produced, leading to dry eyes.


    When we diagnose your dry eye syndrome, we’ll also look at the condition of your meibomian glands and recommend treatment options if they’re not functioning properly.

Finding Relief From Dry Eyes

No matter the cause of your dry eye, relief is available! We offer customized treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Start on the path to clear, comfortable vision today!

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