Dry Eye Treatment in San Francisco
Dry eye happens when your tears can’t keep the surface of your eye comfortable and protected. It’s one of the most common reasons people see an eye doctor, and it has many possible causes. Finding the cause is what makes treatment work, so that’s where we start.
Find out what’s behind your dry eye
A dry eye evaluation helps pinpoint the cause so we can recommend the right treatment.
In this Page
What Is Dry Eye?
Healthy tears are made of three layers: water, mucus, and a thin layer of oil that keeps the water from evaporating. When your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears break down too quickly, the surface of the eye becomes irritated.
Symptoms
- Burning, stinging, or a gritty feeling, like something is in your eye
- Redness or itching
- Tired, heavy, or sore eyes
- Blurry vision that clears when you blink
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes
Watery eyes may seem like the opposite of dry eye, but they’re a common sign of it. An irritated eye makes extra reflex tears, which are mostly water and don’t stay on the surface long enough to help.
What Causes Dry Eye?
The most common cause is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Meibomian glands line the edges of your eyelids and release a small amount of oil each time you blink. When their openings become clogged, less oil reaches the tear film and tears evaporate too quickly. Over time, untreated glands can shrink and stop working permanently.
Other factors include age, hormonal changes, certain medications, contact lens wear, long hours on screens, and some autoimmune conditions.
Treatment
Dry eye often can’t be cured, but most cases can be managed well. Treatment depends on the cause and severity, and many patients do best with a combination of approaches.
LipiFlow
LipiFlow treats MGD by clearing blocked glands. A single-use device applies gentle heat to the inner eyelids while pressing on the outer eyelids, loosening the blockages so oil can flow again. The device is shaped to avoid contact with the eye’s surface.
Treatment takes about 12 minutes in the office. Many patients notice improvement within a few weeks, with the full effect around 6 to 8 weeks as the glands recover. LipiFlow is usually not covered by insurance.
Learn more about LipiFlow.
OptiLIGHT
OptiLight by Lumenis uses intense pulsed light (IPL) on the skin below the eyes to reduce the inflammation linked to MGD and help the glands work properly again. It’s FDA-approved for managing dry eye caused by MGD.
- Sessions: Usually four, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, about 10 to 15 minutes each
- Results: Most patients notice improvement after the second or third session
- Aftercare: Some redness may last a few hours. Avoid direct sun and wear sunscreen for several days after each session.
- Maintenance: Follow-up sessions every 6 to 12 months help results last
OptiLight isn’t right for everyone. Certain medical conditions and recent eye or eyelid surgery may rule it out, so we review your history first.
Other Treatments
Depending on your needs, treatment may also include prescription eye drops or punctal plugs (tiny inserts that help tears stay on the eye longer).
LipiFlow treats MGD by clearing blocked glands. A single-use device applies gentle heat to the inner eyelids while pressing on the outer eyelids, loosening the blockages so oil can flow again. The device is shaped to avoid contact with the eye’s surface.
Treatment takes about 12 minutes in the office. Many patients notice improvement within a few weeks, with the full effect around 6 to 8 weeks as the glands recover. LipiFlow is usually not covered by insurance.
Learn more about LipiFlow.
OptiLight by Lumenis uses intense pulsed light (IPL) on the skin below the eyes to reduce the inflammation linked to MGD and help the glands work properly again. It’s FDA-approved for managing dry eye caused by MGD.
- Sessions: Usually four, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, about 10 to 15 minutes each
- Results: Most patients notice improvement after the second or third session
- Aftercare: Some redness may last a few hours. Avoid direct sun and wear sunscreen for several days after each session.
- Maintenance: Follow-up sessions every 6 to 12 months help results last
OptiLight isn’t right for everyone. Certain medical conditions and recent eye or eyelid surgery may rule it out, so we review your history first.
Depending on your needs, treatment may also include prescription eye drops or punctal plugs (tiny inserts that help tears stay on the eye longer).
Let’s find the right treatment for you
Schedule a dry eye evaluation at Pacific Eye Associates.
Meet Our Dry Eye Specialists
Dry eye is often a long-term condition, so our specialists treat it that way. Every evaluation starts with testing to identify what’s causing your symptoms, whether that’s blocked glands, inflammation, low tear production, or a mix. From there, we build a plan around the cause rather than the symptoms alone, combining at-home care with in-office treatments when needed, and adjusting over time as your eyes respond.
