Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment in Orange CountyExpert Eye Care from Orange County’s Leading Specialists
Expert information about dry eye syndrome from Orange County's leading eye care specialists. Learn about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and the latest treatment options.
Expert information about dry eye syndrome from Orange County's leading eye care specialists. Learn about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and the latest treatment options.
Do you have dry eye? Take the 2-minute OSDI symptom quiz and get your score.
Take the dry eye quiz →Dry Eye Syndrome — At a Glance
Severity & Type
When to See a Doctor
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam if you experience persistent symptoms.
Key Symptoms
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Gritty feeling, as if something is in the eye
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision that clears for a moment when you blink
Treatment Options
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy
- Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
- BlephEx Lid Cleaning
- Meibomian Gland Expression
- Blink Training
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your tears cannot keep the surface of the eye properly lubricated. There are two routes to it: the eye makes too few tears, or the oil layer of the tear film is too poor to stop the tears evaporating. Evaporative dry eye caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) accounts for the large majority of cases, which is why treatment aimed at the oil glands and at the inflammation behind them usually outperforms drops alone. Our Santa Ana dry eye clinic diagnoses the type first with meibography and tear-film testing, then treats it with IPL, low-level light therapy, gland expression, prescription treatments such as Miebo, Tyrvaya and XDEMVY, and scleral lenses when the ocular surface is severely damaged.
At EyeCare Center of Orange County, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye syndrome. Our experienced optometrists use state-of-the-art technology to provide comprehensive care and help preserve your vision.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a comprehensive eye examination:
Stinging or burning sensation
Gritty feeling, as if something is in the eye
Redness
Light sensitivity
Blurred vision that clears for a moment when you blink
Watery, streaming eyes (reflex tearing)
Tired, heavy eyelids by the end of the day
Contact lenses that stop feeling comfortable
Treatment Options for Dry Eye Syndrome
We offer comprehensive treatment options tailored to your specific needs:
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy
Light pulses applied to the skin around the eyes calm the inflammation that makes the oil glands block. It treats the cause rather than the symptom, which is why the relief lasts longer than warming alone. Usually a series of four sessions.
See how IPL for dry eye worksLow-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
Gentle red light warms and calms the eyelids so the glands release their oil again. It needs no numbing drops and is the most comfortable in-office option, so it suits patients who cannot tolerate other treatments.
See how red light therapy worksBlephEx Lid Cleaning
A soft medical spinner removes the crust and bacterial biofilm along the lash line. This is the first step when blepharitis is driving the dry eye, because drops cannot clear a biofilm.
See the full dry eye treatment menuMeibomian Gland Expression
Once the oil has been warmed and softened, we clear each blocked gland by hand. Performed at the end of a light session, when the oil moves most easily.
See how gland expression worksBlink Training
Screen work cuts the blink rate and leaves most blinks incomplete, so the lower glands are never squeezed. A short daily exercise re-trains a full blink and supports every other treatment on this list.
Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)
An FDA-approved prescription drop that spreads a thin layer across the tear film and slows evaporation. It treats the cause of evaporative dry eye instead of only adding moisture.
Tyrvaya (varenicline nasal spray)
A prescription nasal spray that stimulates the nerve pathway controlling natural tear production, so the eye makes its own complete tears. Useful when the eye is not producing enough.
XDEMVY (lotilaner)
An FDA-approved prescription drop that targets Demodex mites, a common and often missed cause of stubborn lid inflammation and dry eye.
Autologous Serum Tears
Eye drops prepared from your own blood serum, which carries growth factors that commercial drops do not. Reserved for severe surface disease that has not settled with standard treatment.
Amniotic Membrane (Prokera)
A biological tissue disc placed on the eye like a large contact lens to help a badly damaged surface heal. Used for severe dry eye with persistent surface breakdown.
Scleral Lenses for Severe Dry Eye
A large lens that vaults over the cornea and holds a reservoir of fluid against it all day. For the most severe cases it is often the only thing that gives comfortable vision.
See scleral lens fittingPunctal Plugs
Tiny plugs placed in the tear drainage openings so the tears you make stay on the eye longer. A quick, reversible option for aqueous-deficient dry eye.
Prescription Eye Drops (Restasis, Xiidra)
Anti-inflammatory prescription drops that reduce the inflammation driving tear-film instability. They work slowly, so they are usually combined with an in-office treatment.
Why Choose EyeCare Center of Orange County?
Over 30 Years of Experience
Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has been serving Orange County since 1991 with specialized expertise in chronic condition.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
We utilize the latest equipment for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of dry eye syndrome.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient receives customized care based on their unique needs and condition severity.
Comprehensive Eye Care
From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care, we provide complete support throughout your treatment journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye has two routes. Either the eye makes too few tears, or the oil layer on top of the tears is poor and the tears evaporate too fast. The second is far more common and is usually caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. Screen work, age, hormonal change, some medications, contact lens wear, Demodex mites and autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren's all raise the risk.
Why don't artificial tears fix my dry eyes?
Artificial tears add moisture for a short time. They do not unblock an oil gland, kill a mite, or reduce inflammation. If your glands are blocked, the drop evaporates as fast as your own tears do. That is why patients who use drops several times a day often feel no better until the glands themselves are treated.
What is the best treatment for chronic dry eye?
There is no single best treatment, because the right one depends on which type you have. We image the oil glands and test the tear film first. Evaporative dry eye from gland blockage usually responds best to IPL or red light therapy with gland expression. Aqueous-deficient dry eye responds better to Tyrvaya or punctal plugs. Most patients need a combination.
How do I know if I have meibomian gland dysfunction?
You cannot tell by symptoms alone, because MGD feels the same as other dry eye. It is diagnosed with meibography, an image that shows whether the oil glands are still there and whether they are shortened or scarred. Gland loss is permanent, which is why early imaging matters.
How long does dry eye treatment take?
Many patients feel a difference within a few weeks. In-office light therapy is usually a course of four sessions spaced a few weeks apart, with improvement building across the course. Chronic dry eye is managed rather than cured, so most patients continue a home routine and return for maintenance.
Is dry eye permanent?
The tendency is usually long-term, but the symptoms are very treatable. What is permanent is oil gland loss: once a gland has atrophied it does not grow back. That is the reason to treat early rather than wait, because treatment protects the glands you still have.
Can dry eye cause blurry vision?
Yes. The tear film is the first focusing surface of the eye, so when it breaks up your vision blurs and then clears again for a second when you blink. Vision that fluctuates through the day, especially while reading or driving, is a common sign of dry eye rather than a change in your glasses prescription.
Is IPL treatment for dry eye safe?
IPL has been used on the face for many years and is well tolerated around the eyes when the operator shields the eye correctly and matches the energy setting to your skin type. The usual after-effect is mild warmth or pink skin for a few hours. We assess your skin type and medical history before the first session.
Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eye?
Often yes, but the lens type matters. Many patients with dry eye do better in a daily disposable lens or, in severe cases, a scleral lens that holds fluid against the eye all day. If your lenses have become uncomfortable in the afternoon, that is usually a treatable tear film problem rather than a reason to give up lenses.
How can I test my dry eye at home?
Use the OSDI questionnaire on this page. It is the standard dry eye symptom score used in clinics and research: twelve questions about discomfort, vision and triggers, scored from 0 to 100. It takes about two minutes and tells you whether your symptoms are normal, mild, moderate or severe. Bring the score to your appointment.
Where can I see a dry eye specialist in Orange County?
Our dry eye clinic is in Santa Ana and serves patients across Orange County, including Irvine, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Tustin and Fullerton. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Does insurance cover Dry Eye Syndrome treatment?
Most vision and medical insurance plans cover diagnostic exams and medically necessary treatments. We accept most major insurance plans and can help verify your coverage before treatment.
Schedule Your Consultation
Get expert diagnosis and treatment for dry eye syndrome.
Related Conditions
Recommended Dry Eye Products
Shop doctor-recommended dry eye products at our online store.
Shop DryEyeLA ProductsCheck Your Dry Eye Symptoms: The OSDI Questionnaire
The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) is a validated 12-question survey clinicians use to grade dry eye symptom severity. Answer about the last week and get your score instantly. We email a copy of your answers and score to you and to our office.
Screening only. A score does not diagnose dry eye; Dr. Bonakdar confirms with an exam.
Start the OSDI questionnaire →Schedule Your Dry Eye Treatment Consultation
Fill out the form below and our team will contact you to confirm your appointment. Or call us directly at (949) 323-3600
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- Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins — the strip of skin where your lashes grow. It makes the lids red, itchy and sore, and…
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Meibomian gland dysfunction is the most common cause of dry eye. You have about 25 to 30 tiny oil glands in each eyelid. Their oil forms…
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva causing redness, itching, and discharge.
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