Dry Eye Clinic
Do you suffer from any of the following?
Dry Eye Treatment in Houston
Step into our specialized Dry Eye Clinic in Houston, where tranquility and technology converge to provide relief and rejuvenation. Our experienced dry eye doctors at our Pearland and Memorial locations craft personalized treatments to soothe discomfort and restore balance to your eyes.
Our dedicated dry eye clinic features state-of-the-art Optilight Intense pulsed light therapy, or IPL. Optilight is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for the management of dry eye disease. OptiLight treatment targets inflammation and restores tear gland function. Optilight treatments utilize non-invasive advanced technology to target not only dry eyes but also to treat rosacea, brown spots, and sunspots anywhere on the body.
Your Skin Will Thank You
We also have technology that uses radio frequency to treat dry eye, called Optiplus, which also helps to rejuvenate skin, fine lines and wrinkles, improve collagen production, and enhance the appearance of eyelids! Together, Optilight and OptiPlus offer hope for those plagued by the discomfort of dry, irritated eyes.
Our specialized treatments are crafted with care, addressing the root causes of dry eye syndrome to provide lasting relief and rejuvenation. Our skilled professionals will rejuvenate and revitalize your skin, giving you a radiant and youthful appearance. Ask about our photofacial while you are in the office to get the dry eye treatment!
What is Optilight?
OptiLight is FDA approved for the management of dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. It works by reducing inflammation around the eyelids, which helps the oil glands that protect your tears function properly again. As a cosmetic bonus, the same technology treats age spots and sunspots and helps even out skin tone.
What is OptiPlus?
FDA cleared to treat dry eye using heat and can be used on all skin tones. Cosmetically added benefit of reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Why Dry Eye Shouldn't Be Ignored
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons patients come in for an eye exam. For some people, it’s a mild, temporary nuisance. For others, it’s a chronic condition called dry eye disease, which can lead to inflammation, corneal abrasions, ulcers or even vision loss if left untreated.
Your eyes are normally covered by a thin tear film made of oils, watery fluid and mucus. This film keeps the surface of your eye smooth, clear and lubricated. When any part of it breaks down, your eyes lose the clarity, hydration and drainage they need to function comfortably. Since the average person blinks between 14,000 and 20,000 times a day, even a small problem with your tear film adds up quickly.
Early diagnosis and regular checkups can keep chronic dry eye from causing further complications.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Environmental conditions are a common trigger. Changes in humidity, temperature or wind can affect your body’s ability to replace tears as they evaporate. Dry eye can also stem from hormonal changes, autoimmune disease, allergic eye disease or inflamed eyelid glands. Meibomian gland dysfunction, where the oil glands along your eyelids become blocked or inflamed, is one of the most frequent underlying causes.
If your symptoms linger long after a change in the weather, a dry eye exam can pinpoint what’s going on. Most cases come down to one or more of these four problems:
- Poor tear quality
- Low tear volume
- Slow tear production
- Tears that evaporate too quickly
What Our Dry Eye Test Looks For
Because dry eye can have several causes, our comprehensive dry eye exam checks for:
- Family and medical history, including any treatments you’ve already tried
- Abnormalities in the conjunctiva
- Abnormal tear osmolarity (the salt balance in your tears)
- Low tear production
- Blocked or deficient meibomian glands in the eyelids
- MMP-9, an enzyme that signals inflammation on the eye’s surface
Most of our tests are quick, simple and noninvasive. Knowing what you’ve already tried helps us avoid repeating treatments that haven’t worked for you. And because the exam looks closely at your eye’s surface and eyelid glands, it can also reveal other ocular surface issues.
The Right Solution
Not all dry eyes are the same, so your treatment plan is built around the root cause we find during your exam.
Mild or occasional symptoms often respond well to over-the-counter artificial tears. More persistent symptoms may need prescription drops to reduce grittiness, redness or blurry vision. Conditions like blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction may call for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatments, while some ocular surface disorders need topical steroids followed by longer-term supportive care.
For chronic or stubborn cases, we may combine these with in-office treatments like OptiLight and OptiPlus, along with heat masks or punctal plugs.
FAQ: Dry Eye Diagnosis and Treatment
These FAQs cover our Dry Eye Clinic treatments, including OptiLight and OptiPlus, and what to expect before and after.
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for your Dry Eye Clinic treatments?
If you have burning, tearing, redness or a gritty feeling, you may benefit from our Dry Eye Clinic. At your visit, our optometrists check your tear glands and eye surface to find the root cause. Then we recommend a personalized plan, which may include OptiLight, OptiPlus, drops or other supportive therapies.
What is OptiLight, and will the treatment hurt?
OptiLight is an FDA-approved intense pulsed light treatment that targets inflammation and helps restore healthy tear gland function. Most patients feel only mild warmth or tapping during treatment, not pain. Your doctor will discuss what to expect and make sure you stay comfortable the entire time.
Will I still need eye drops after having OptiLight or OptiPlus treatments?
Many patients still use artificial tears, but often less frequently after dry eye treatments. Our goal is to treat the root cause so your eyes feel more comfortable day to day. We’ll review your symptoms at follow-up visits and adjust drops or other therapies as your eyes improve.
How long does it take to feel relief after starting dry eye treatment?
Some patients feel better within days, especially with drops or heat masks. Light or radiofrequency treatments may take several sessions for full effect. We’ll track your symptoms and adjust your plan as needed.
Can makeup or skincare products make my dry eye worse?
Yes, certain products can block glands along the eyelids or irritate the eye surface. We can review your routine and recommend safer makeup and skincare options that are more dry-eye friendly.
