Our Services
Dry Eyes
Restore comfort and clarity with advanced dry eye treatments, including OptiLight therapy, that address the underlying causes of dry eye and provide lasting relief.
Dry Eye Is More Than a Lack of Tears.
Dry eye disease is a common condition that can affect both the comfort of your eyes and the quality of your vision.
While some people don’t produce enough tears, many cases are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the oil-producing glands in the eyelids stop functioning properly. Without a healthy oil layer, tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, inflammation, and fluctuating vision.
Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is the first step toward choosing the most appropriate treatment.
Why Do My Eyes Feel Dry?
Healthy tears do more than keep your eyes comfortable—they protect the surface of your eyes and help maintain clear, stable vision.
One of the most common causes of dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These tiny glands, located along the edge of your eyelids, produce the oil layer of your tears. When the glands become blocked or unhealthy, tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in dryness, irritation, and unstable vision.
Because dry eye can have several underlying causes, a comprehensive evaluation is important to determine what’s contributing to your symptoms.
Take the Dry Eye Quiz
Simply complete the form below to determine if Dry Eye Treatment is right for you.
By completing this form, you authorize North Columbus Eye Center to contact you.
Dry Eye & Ocular Rosacea
Many people don’t realize that facial rosacea and dry eye are often connected.
Rosacea can affect both the skin and the eyes. When it involves the eyes—known as ocular rosacea—it commonly contributes to inflammation of the meibomian glands, leading to chronic dry eye symptoms.
Recognizing this connection helps us better understand your condition and recommend treatment based on your individual needs.
Common Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms may include:
- Dryness
- Burning or stinging
- Gritty or sandy sensation
- Excessive tearing or watery eyes
- Redness
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Symptoms often become more noticeable during:
- Reading
- Computer or digital device use
- Driving, especially at night
- Air travel
- Windy or dry environments
- Air conditioning or heating
Your Dry Eye Evaluation
Every patient begins with a comprehensive dry eye evaluation.
During your visit, we take time to understand your symptoms, examine the health of your eyes and eyelids, evaluate your tear film and meibomian glands, and look for conditions that may be contributing to your dry eye, including ocular rosacea.
This comprehensive evaluation allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Personalized Treatment
Your treatment recommendations are based on the underlying cause of your dry eye.
Our practice offers advanced treatment options, including:
- OptiLIGHT® by Lumenis® — the first and only FDA-cleared IPL treatment for dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
- Meibomian gland expression to help restore healthy oil flow and improve tear stability.
When appropriate, treatment recommendations may also include prescription eye drops or lubricating eye drops to complement your treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry eye disease?
Dry eye can result from decreased tear production, excessive tear evaporation, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), inflammation, certain medications, medical conditions, aging, or environmental factors.
What is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)?
MGD occurs when the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or unhealthy. Without a healthy oil layer, tears evaporate too quickly, making MGD one of the leading causes of dry eye disease.
Is OptiLIGHT® painful?
Most patients describe the treatment as comfortable, with a brief warming sensation during each light pulse.
How many treatments will I need?
Every patient is different. During your evaluation, we’ll determine whether OptiLIGHT® is appropriate for your condition and discuss a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Resources
Dry Eyes
Stay informed with the latest news, eye care advice, treatment innovations, and aesthetic solutions from our experienced team.
How IPL Treats Dry Eye at the Source
Introduction Dry eye is often driven by chronic inflammation. OptiLIGHT IPL works by addressing this inflammation directly — something drops alone cannot do. IPL and Inflammation Inflammation around the eyelids restricts oil flow from meibomian glands. IPL light:…
What Is OptiLIGHT IPL Treatment for Dry Eye?
For patients struggling with chronic dry eye, OptiLIGHT IPL offers a breakthrough solution. This advanced treatment targets the underlying inflammation and gland dysfunction that cause persistent symptoms. What Is OptiLIGHT? OptiLIGHT® by Lumenis is an FDA-cleared…
The Role of Meibomian Glands in Healthy Tears
Introduction Many patients in Columbus, Georgia are surprised to learn that dry eye isn’t always about not making enough tears. In fact, the most common cause of dry eye is a problem with the meibomian glands. Understanding how these glands work — and what happens…