Dry Eye Disease

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, discomfort, blurred vision, or a feeling like something is in the eye. In some cases, the eyes may water excessively.

Who Does It Affect?

Dry eye is widespread—it affects 5–20% of adults, and prevalence increases with age, with up to 70% of older adults experiencing symptoms. It can impact quality of life, making reading, driving, or working on a computer uncomfortable.

Our Dry Eye Services at Vestavia Eye Care

At our office, we’re dedicated to identifying and treating dry eye disease using both conventional and advanced therapies. After a comprehensive evaluation, we personalize treatment plans that may include:

• Prescription eye drops, lid cleansers, and warm compresses
• Lifestyle adjustments such as improved blinking habits and environmental modifications
• Special in-office treatments like punctal plugs, IPL and LLLT

What Are IPL & LLLT?

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): A gentle light therapy applied around the eyelids. It helps decrease inflammation and improve function of blocked oil glands (called meibomian glands) to improve dry eyes. Patients often notice reduced irritation and improved comfort.
• Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT): A warm, infrared light applied to your eyelids to calm inflammation and support healthy gland function. This can improve tear quality and relieve symptoms.

Both treatments are non-invasive, painless, and performed right here in our office.

Why Choose Us for Dry Eye?

• We offer a comprehensive, diagnostic approach to determine the cause of dry eye
• Treatment is custom-tailored, combining prescription therapies with advanced in-office treatments
• IPL and LLLT are state-of-the-art options, suitable when standard treatments aren’t enough
• Our team is dedicated to ensuring your comfort and long‑term relief