Vision Care Services

Dry Eye Treatment

Relief for dry, irritated eyes.

Dry eye is common, uncomfortable and very treatable.

It isn't only about too few tears. We find what's causing your symptoms, then build a treatment plan around it.

Common symptoms

Red, irritated or bloodshot eyes
Burning, stinging or a gritty feeling
Itchy eyes, or feeling like something is in the eye
Sensitivity to light
Watery eyes. Surprisingly, a common sign of dry eye

What causes it?

Dry eye often has more than one cause. Common ones include:

Oil gland (meibomian gland) problems along the eyelids
Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
Allergies
Certain medications
Screens, contact lenses and Florida's air conditioning
Changes with age and hormones

How we diagnose it

We image the oil glands in your eyelids, measure the quality of your tear film and screen for related conditions. Knowing the cause lets us choose the right treatment instead of guessing.

Treatment options

Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops
Treating the oil glands in the eyelids
Eyelid hygiene and blinking exercises
Punctal plugs, tiny plugs placed in the tear drains to keep your natural tears on the eye longer
Antibiotics when an infection is involved
Amniotic membrane therapy for patients who haven't found relief elsewhere

Punctal plugs

Punctal plugs are one of the dry eye treatments we provide most often. A tiny plug is placed in the small drain opening in the corner of the eyelid, so your own tears stay on the surface of the eye longer instead of draining away. Placement takes just a few minutes in the exam chair. Dr. Than places most of the plugs at our practice.

Seen through our slit lamp

These photos and videos were taken with the camera on our slit lamp microscope during real exams and are shared without any identifying details.

Superficial punctate keratitis (SPK)With fluorescein dye and blue light, tiny green dots show spots where the surface of the cornea is damaged, a common finding in dry eye.

**SPK on the cornea**Pinpoint green staining in the center of the cornea, one of the signs we look for in a dry eye evaluation.

Demodex blepharitisThe crusty cuffs (collarettes) at the base of the lashes are a telltale sign of Demodex mites, a common cause of itchy, red, irritated lids and dry eye symptoms.

Narrated by Dr. Tumolo

**Inserting a punctal plug**A tiny plug placed in the tear drain keeps natural tears on the eye longer. Watch the full insertion.

**Punctal dilation and plug insertion**The tear drain is gently widened, then the plug is placed, all in a few minutes in the exam chair.

**Examining the lids, lid margins and lashes**Many dry eye problems start at the eyelids. This is what we look for along the lid margins and lashes.

**Checking the inside of the eyelids**Flipping the eyelid lets us examine the inner lining (palpebral conjunctiva) of the upper and lower lids.

Common questions

What are punctal plugs?

Tiny plugs placed in the tear drains in the corners of the eyelids. They keep your natural tears on the eye longer, and placement takes just a few minutes in the exam chair.

Why are my eyes watery if they're dry?

Watery eyes are a common sign of dry eye. When the surface of the eye is irritated, it can make extra reflex tears that don't protect the eye well, so your eyes water even though they are dry.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye often has more than one cause, including oil gland (meibomian gland) problems along the eyelids, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), allergies, certain medications, screens, contact lenses, Florida's air conditioning, and changes with age and hormones.

How do you diagnose dry eye?

We image the oil glands in your eyelids, measure the quality of your tear film and screen for related conditions. Knowing the cause lets us choose the right treatment instead of guessing.

What treatments do you offer?

Treatment depends on the cause and can include prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops, treating the oil glands in the eyelids, eyelid hygiene and blinking exercises, antibiotics when an infection is involved, and amniotic membrane therapy for patients who haven't found relief elsewhere.

Where can I be seen for dry eye?

At our Odessa and East Lake (Palm Harbor) offices. Tell us it's for dry eye when you book so we can plan the right tests.

“I was having severe dry eyes and needed a quick appointment. I went to the Odessa location Dr. Than was able to see me right away and was so helpful and kind! Dr. Than takes time for her patients and it really shows.”

Lauren C. · Odessa, Google review