Dry Eye Therapy: Exploring Effective Treatment Options for Long-Term Relief

Dry eye is more than just a minor irritation. It can significantly affect your comfort, vision, and overall quality of life. At Essential Eyes Columbia, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye with personalized care. Since every case is different, we begin by identifying the root cause of your symptoms and then recommend treatments tailored to provide lasting relief. Whether your eyes feel gritty, tired, or consistently dry, our goal is to help you achieve long-term comfort and clearer vision.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. Healthy tears are essential for nourishing the eyes, maintaining clear vision, and protecting against infection. When tear production or quality is compromised, dry eye symptoms can set in.

There are two main types of dry eye:

• Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This type results from the lacrimal glands not producing enough of the watery component of tears.

• Evaporative Dry Eye: More common, this occurs when tears evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or inflamed.

Identifying the type of dry eye is essential to creating an effective, customized treatment plan.

Effective Dry Eye Treatments at Essential Eyes Columbia

Because dry eye has different causes, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Our team offers advanced diagnostic tools to determine the root cause of your symptoms, then recommends therapies designed to bring lasting comfort.

Eyelid and Gland Debridement

This in-office procedure helps clear blockages in the meibomian glands and remove debris or biofilm from the eyelid margin. It enhances gland function and can dramatically improve tear film stability and comfort.

Restasis® 

Restasis is a prescription eye drop that helps increase tear production by reducing inflammation in the tear glands. It’s especially helpful for patients with aqueous deficient dry eye related to chronic inflammation.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

IPL therapy is a non-invasive light-based treatment that targets the underlying inflammation associated with meibomian gland dysfunction. By stimulating the oil glands in your eyelids, IPL can help restore normal tear film and reduce evaporative dry eye symptoms over time.

Punctal Plugs

These tiny biocompatible plugs are inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage and keep more moisture on the eye’s surface. Punctal plugs are ideal for patients with moderate to severe dry eye who need to retain their natural tears for longer periods.

Find Long-Term Dry Eye Relief at Essential Eyes Columbia

You don’t have to live with the discomfort of dry eyes. With the right diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your needs, long-term relief is within reach. We combine advanced technology with personalized care to help you feel and see your best.

Contact Essential Eyes Columbia to schedule your dry eye evaluation and find the right treatment for lasting relief.  Visit our office in Columbia, Tennessee, or call (931) 380-2660 to book an appointment today.