Relief From Dry, Burning, Gritty Eyes.
Dry eye is one of the most under-diagnosed eye conditions, and one of the most treatable. We evaluate the cause, then build a plan that actually works for your eyes.
Dry Eye Is More Than 'My Eyes Feel Dry.'
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don't produce enough tears, or when the tears you produce evaporate too quickly. It's surprisingly common, affecting an estimated 16 million Americans, with rates rising fast among teens and adults who spend hours on screens.
South Florida's climate doesn't help: sunshine, breeze, and constant air conditioning all dry the ocular surface. Add in screen time, contact lens wear, or certain medications, and many patients have symptoms for years before getting a diagnosis.
The good news: dry eye is one of the most treatable eye conditions when properly evaluated. We figure out which kind you have, aqueous-deficient (not enough tears) or evaporative (poor-quality tears, usually from meibomian gland dysfunction), and build a plan that targets the actual cause. Not sure if it's dry eye or something else? See pink eye vs. allergy eye and red, itchy, watery eyes in kids.
If Any of These Sound Familiar, You May Have Dry Eye
Burning or Stinging
A persistent burn, often worse late in the day, with screen use, or in air conditioning.
Gritty, Sandy Feeling
The sensation that something is in your eye, even when nothing is there.
Watery Eyes (Paradoxically)
When eyes are dry, they overcompensate with reflex tearing, so 'watery eyes' is often a dry eye symptom.
Blurry Vision That Clears With Blinking
Your tear film is the first surface light hits. When it's unstable, vision fluctuates.
Light Sensitivity
Discomfort in bright light or with screens. Often comes with dry eye and digital strain.
Tired, Heavy Eyes
Eyes that feel like they need rest after focused work like reading, driving, or screens.
Common Causes We See
- Age-related changes to tear production
- Screen use (reduced blink rate)
- Contact lens wear
- Hormonal changes (especially during and after menopause)
- Autoimmune conditions (Sjögren’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease)
- Medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications)
- South Florida climate: sun, wind, and air conditioning all dry the ocular surface
- Post-LASIK or post-cataract-surgery dry eye
Treatment Options We Offer
Targeted Artificial Tears
Not all over-the-counter drops are equal. We recommend the right formulation for your specific type of dryness: aqueous-deficient vs. evaporative.
Warm Compress & Lid Hygiene
Most dry eye is caused by clogged meibomian glands in the eyelids. Daily warm compresses and lid cleansing make a big difference for many patients.
Prescription Dry Eye Therapy
Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa, Miebo, and other prescription options can dramatically improve chronic dry eye when over-the-counter drops aren’t enough.
Punctal Plugs
Tiny devices that block tear drainage, keeping your natural tears on the eye longer. Quick, comfortable in-office procedure.
Omega-3 Supplementation
Specific high-quality omega-3 supplements have evidence behind them for improving the oil layer of the tear film.
Lifestyle & Environmental Changes
Screen breaks (the 20-20-20 rule), humidifiers, hydration, avoiding ceiling-fan airflow at night: small changes that add up.
Most Dry Eye Visits Use Medical Insurance
A comprehensive dry eye evaluation is $150 and includes ocular surface assessment, tear film evaluation, meibomian gland evaluation, and a written treatment plan.
Because dry eye is a medical eye-health condition (not just a vision problem), most evaluations are covered by medical insurance rather than vision insurance. Treatments such as punctal plugs are typically also covered. See our insurance & payment options →
Ready to Feel Better?
Most patients see meaningful improvement within a few weeks of starting the right plan.