Dry Eye Treatment

You Don’t Have to Live with Dry Eyes

If you’ve ever experienced burning, blurry vision, or the constant feeling that there’s something in your eye, you know dry eye isn’t just annoying—it can interfere with how you work, read, and enjoy daily life.


The good news? There are more treatments than ever, and relief is possible. Whether your symptoms are mild or more advanced, your optometrist can help you find the right solution.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears—or the tears you do make aren’t doing their job well.
Healthy tears keep the surface of your eye smooth, clear, and protected. They also reduce your risk of infection and help wash away dust and debris. But if you’re not producing enough tears, or if your tears evaporate too quickly, your eyes can become irritated, inflamed, or even damaged over time.

Dry eye is a common, often chronic condition—especially for older adults—but it can affect people of all ages.

Self-Care That Can Help

For mild symptoms, small lifestyle changes may make a noticeable difference:

• Blink more often when using screens or reading.

• Use a humidifier to keep indoor air from drying out your eyes.

• Wear sunglasses (preferably wraparound) to shield your eyes from wind and sun.

• Stay hydrated by drinking 8–10 glasses of water a day.

• Add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet or take a supplement.

• Review your medications with your doctor to see if any might be contributing to dry eye symptoms.

These steps are a great place to start—but if they’re not enough, it’s time to look at more targeted treatments.

Artificial Tears: Quick Relief for Mild Dry Eye

Over-the-counter eye drops can often ease discomfort.

• Low-viscosity drops are watery and offer fast, temporary relief with minimal blurring.

• High-viscosity drops (gel-based) last longer but may blur your vision temporarily—best used at bedtime.

If you're using artificial tears more than a few times a day without lasting relief, let your optometrist know. You may need something stronger.

Prescription Treatments for Dry Eye

Your optometrist can offer several prescription options depending on the cause and severity of your dry eye:

• Specialty contact lenses like scleral or bandage lenses help protect and hydrate the surface of the eye.

• Antibiotics can reduce eyelid inflammation and help oil glands work better.

• Anti-inflammatory drops (like Restasis or steroid drops) reduce inflammation on the eye’s surface.

• Eye inserts like Lacrisert slowly dissolve and release lubrication throughout the day.

• Tear-stimulating medications (in pill, gel, or drop form) can help your body produce more natural tears.

• Autologous serum drops—made from your own blood—may be used when other treatments haven’t helped.

In-Office Dry Eye Procedures

If prescription drops aren’t enough, there are in-office treatments that target the root causes of dry eye:

• Punctal plugs – Tiny silicone plugs inserted into your tear ducts to slow tear drainage and keep your eyes moist longer.

• LipiFlow® – A 15-minute warm massage treatment that clears blocked oil glands in your eyelids.

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – Uses light therapy to loosen hardened oils and improve gland function.

Talk to Your Eye Doctor

You don’t need to just "live with it." Dry eye can be frustrating, but you have options—and the first step toward relief is a thorough eye exam.
Your optometrist can pinpoint the cause of your dry eye and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Schedule a visit today and start seeing more clearly and comfortably.