SPECIALIZED OCULAR-SURFACE CARE
Dry Eye Clinic in Northeast Ohio
Identify what is disrupting the tear film, then build treatment around the cause—not symptoms alone.
Dry eye can cause burning, grittiness, watering, redness, light sensitivity, fluctuating vision, or contact-lens intolerance. The Eye Centers evaluates both tear production and tear evaporation to guide treatment.
WHY EYES FEEL DRY
Dry eye has more than one cause
Some patients do not make enough tears. Others produce tears that evaporate too quickly because the oil glands in the eyelids are not functioning well. Many people have features of both.
Evaporative dry eye
Often associated with meibomian gland dysfunction, incomplete blinking, prolonged screen use, or eyelid inflammation.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye
Occurs when the lacrimal glands do not produce enough of the watery layer of tears.
Contributing factors
Medications, contact lenses, age, hormonal changes, prior eye surgery, environmental exposure, and systemic disease can contribute.
YOUR INITIAL VISIT
A detailed evaluation takes approximately 45–60 minutes
Your clinician begins with your symptoms, medical history, medications, contact-lens use, prior procedures, and treatments you have already tried.
- Slit-lamp evaluation of the eyelids, lashes, cornea, and tear film
- Tear break-up time and ocular-surface staining
- Blink assessment and evaluation of meibomian gland openings
- Meibography to visualize gland structure when indicated
- Tear-film osmolarity or other testing when useful
Testing is selected for the individual patient; not every person needs every test.
A STEP-BY-STEP PLAN
Treatment selected around your findings
Dry-eye care often works best as a combination plan that is adjusted over time.
Daily surface support
Artificial tears, gels or ointments, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, environmental changes, and blink strategies.
Prescription treatment
Anti-inflammatory or tear-stimulating medications may be recommended depending on the diagnosis and severity.
Additional options
Punctal plugs, in-office eyelid treatments, or other therapies may be considered.
IN-OFFICE TREATMENTS
Technology for selected eyelid and gland problems
Your evaluation determines whether an in-office procedure is appropriate.
Tixel i®
A non-laser thermal treatment option for eligible patients with evaporative dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction.
BlephEx®
A rotating micro-sponge cleans and exfoliates the eyelid margin to reduce accumulated debris and biofilm.
Ongoing monitoring
Follow-up allows your clinician to reassess symptoms, tear stability, eyelid findings, and how well the treatment plan fits daily life.
WHEN TO SEEK PROMPT CARE
Dryness is not the only cause of a red or painful eye
Contact an eye-care professional promptly for significant pain, marked redness, light sensitivity, discharge, an eye injury, or a sudden decrease in vision. These symptoms can represent infection or another urgent condition.
The National Eye Institute provides additional information about dry-eye symptoms, testing, and treatment.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Start with a comprehensive dry-eye evaluation.
Bring a list of your current drops, medications, contact lenses, and treatments you have already tried.