If your eyes frequently feel dry, irritated, or tired, you’re not alone. Dry eye is one of the most common conditions we treat in our ophthalmology practice. In recent years, treatment options have expanded significantly.
You may have seen TV commercials for newer prescription eye drops or heard about in-office treatments designed to improve eyelid health. While the growing number of options can feel overwhelming, the good news is today’s treatments allow us to personalize dry eye care more effectively than ever before.
At Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we help patients identify the underlying cause of their symptoms and develop a treatment plan that brings relief from dry eye.
Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is poor. Healthy tears are essential for keeping your eyes comfortable, maintaining clear vision, and protecting the surface of the eye.
Dry eye symptoms may include:
While many people think dry eye simply means “not enough tears,” the condition is often more complex. In many cases, inflammation, blocked oil glands, or eyelid conditions such as blepharitis contribute to symptoms.
Common causes of dry eye include:
For mild or occasional symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) options are often the first step.
Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops designed to supplement your natural tears and improve comfort. They can help relieve dryness, burning, temporary irritation and eye fatigue from screen use.
Many patients benefit from preservative-free artificial tears, especially if they use drops multiple times daily.
Not all artificial tears are the same. Some are designed for watery deficiency, while others help stabilize the oily tear layer. Your eye doctor can help guide you toward the best option for your symptoms.
When dry eye symptoms become more persistent or inflammatory, prescription medications may be recommended. Below are some of the medications most often prescribed by our eye doctors.
Restasis has been used for over two decades to help treat chronic dry eye associated with inflammation. Rather than simply lubricating the eyes temporarily, Restasis works by helping increase natural tear production over time.
Because it targets inflammation, improvement may take several weeks to become noticeable. Many patients benefit from consistent long-term use.
Approved in 2023, Miebo is one of the newer prescription treatments for dry eye, designed specifically for evaporative dry eye associated with a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction. This medication helps reduce tear evaporation by stabilizing the oily layer of the tear film.
Patients with evaporative dry eye often experience burning, fluctuating vision, symptoms that worsen later in the day, and dryness despite excessive tearing. For patients whose oil glands are not functioning properly, Miebo may provide meaningful relief.
Approved in 2025, Tryptyr is one of the newest prescription options available for dry eye treatment. Tryptyr works by stimulating the eye’s natural tear production, and it’s designed to work quickly, creating an increase in tear production as soon as the first day of use.
Your ophthalmologist can determine whether newer prescription therapies may be appropriate based on your symptoms, tear quality, and overall eye health.
For many patients, dry eye actually begins with the eyelids. The tiny oil glands along the eyelid margins help prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. When those glands become blocked or inflamed, dry eye symptoms often worsen. For this reason, treating the eyelids can be an important part of comprehensive dry eye care. Below are some options used most often by our practice.
iLux is an in-office treatment designed to improve meibomian gland function. The procedure uses gentle heat and compression to help open blocked oil glands and improve the quality of the tear film.
Patients with meibomian gland dysfunction often notice burning, irritation, fluctuating vision and symptoms that worsen during screen use. Improving gland function can help reduce tear evaporation and improve long-term comfort.
BlephEx is an in-office eyelid hygiene treatment that helps remove debris, bacteria, and biofilm along the eyelid margins.
This treatment is often recommended for patients with blepharitis, chronic eyelid inflammation, recurrent styes, and dry eye related to eyelid disease. Keeping your eyelids healthy is an important part of maintaining a stable tear film.
In some cases, chronic eyelid irritation and blepharitis are linked to tiny eyelid mites called Demodex. While these mites are common, overgrowth can contribute to itching, redness, crusting around the lashes and dry eye symptoms.
Approved in 2023, XDEMVY is a prescription eye drop approved to treat Demodex blepharitis. For patients struggling with chronic eyelid irritation that has not improved with traditional hygiene measures alone, treatment of Demodex may significantly improve comfort.
Many patients wonder whether they should continue using artificial tears or consider prescription therapy. In general:
The right treatment depends on the underlying cause, which is why a comprehensive eye exam is important.
You should schedule an evaluation if:
Dry eye can affect both comfort and quality of vision, but effective treatments are available.
Dry eye disease is extremely common, but it is also highly treatable. From artificial tears to newer prescription medications and advanced eyelid therapies, today’s treatment options allow us to tailor care to each patient’s needs.
If you’re experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with the doctors at Washington Eye Physicians & Surgeons. We can help identify the cause and recommend the most effective treatment plan for your eyes.
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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
