Dry Eye
Learn about dry eye disease & advanced treatment options at our dedicated dry eye centers across Arizona.
What is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease (DED) occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to discomfort, vision problems, and even damage to the eye’s surface.
DED affects 20 million Americans and 344 million people worldwide, with cases rising in both children and adults. Studies show symptoms can begin as early as age 12, with dry climates like Arizona making the condition even more common. If you’re experiencing irritation, redness, or blurry vision, our team offers effective solutions to help you find relief and protect your eye health.
Types of Dry Eye
- Evaporative Dry Eye (most common) – often from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)—the oil layer of your tears isn’t doing its job, so tears evaporate.
- Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye- Your lacrimal glands don’t make enough tears.
Symptoms of Dry Eye
- A feeling of dryness, irritation or grittiness
- Burning or stinging
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Eye fatigue
- Contact lens intolerance
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
Common Causes and Triggers
Environment
Arizona’s dry air, wind, low humidity, and constant use of air conditioning accelerate tear evaporation and destabilize the tear film.
Lifestyle
Prolonged screen time lowers your blink rate, so the tear film isn’t refreshed and evaporates faster. Contact lens wear can disrupt the tear layer and increase friction on the eye, amplifying dryness.
Eyelid Conditions
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) reduces the quality and quantity of protective oils in tears, leading to rapid evaporation. Blepharitis and Demodex mites inflame the lid margins and glands.
Medical Ocular History
Medications
Antihistamines, certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and isotretinoin can decrease tear production or change tear composition. Some glaucoma drops (especially those with preservatives) can irritate the surface and worsen dryness.
Hormonal Changes and Aging
Shifts in estrogen and androgen levels particularly during menopause can reduce meibomian gland function and tear volume. Natural aging also diminishes lacrimal output and gland efficiency, making dry eye more common over time.
Our Personalized Approach
Evaluate Precisely
We Treat The Root Causes
Suggest Lifestyle Changes
Maintain for The Long Term
Advanced In-Office Options for MGD
Because MGD drives most dry eye, restoring healthy oil flow is essential. Our centers offer:
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Light energy reduces eyelid margin inflammation and helps liquefy stagnant oils so the glands work better. Many patients feel relief after the first few sessions; a typical series includes four treatments with personalized maintenance.
Radiofrequency (RF)
Gentle electrothermal energy warms the lids to loosen thick oils and supports eyelid skin health. RF is often paired with in-office gland expression for best results.
Note: IPL and RF are quick, in-office treatments. While not usually covered by insurance, many patients use HSA/FSA funds.
Other Treatment Therapies
- Thermal pulsation / heat & expression systems
- Lid hygiene & debridement, targeted Demodex care
- Amniotic membrane therapy for advanced surface disease (as appropriate)
Medical & At-Home Care
- Prescription drops for inflammation and tear support (e.g., cyclosporine, lifitegrast); short steroid taps for flares when indicated
- Punctal plugs to help retain natural tears
- Preservative-free artificial tears, gels, and ointments for frequent use
- Lid hygiene routines with warm compresses and cleansers
- Lifestyle tuning for Arizona: hydration, humidifiers, blink breaks (20-20-20), contact lens guidance
- Specialty (scleral) lenses to protect and hydrate the cornea in select cases
Is dry eye curable?
Dry eye is usually chronic but very manageable. With a tailored plan—often combining lifestyle changes, medical therapy, and MGD treatments—most patients achieve meaningful, lasting relief.
How quickly will I feel better?
Some patients notice improvement within 2–4 weeks of consistent treatment. MGD-focused procedures (IPL/RF + expression) often accelerate relief, with best results after a full treatment series and maintenance.
Are IPL and RF safe?
For appropriately selected patients and performed by trained clinicians, IPL and RF are generally safe and well-tolerated. We’ll review candidacy, precautions (e.g., skin type, meds), and aftercare before treatment.
Will insurance cover treatment?
Diagnostic visits and prescription drops are often covered. IPL, RF, and some in-office therapies are typically out-of-pocket, but many patients use HSA/FSA funds.
Can dry eye cause blurry bision?
Yes. An unstable tear film leads to fluctuating vision, especially with reading, computer use, or at the end of the day.