Treat your dry eye disease, not just your symptoms
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is a common but complex condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to symptoms such as burning, irritation, redness, fluctuating vision, excessive tearing, and a gritty or tired eye sensation.
Dry eye is not just a comfort issue — it is a chronic medical condition that can affect vision, daily activities, and overall eye health if left untreated.
Why Dry Eye Requires More Than Eye Drops
Many patients try artificial tears for months or even years without lasting relief. While eye drops can help temporarily, they do not address the underlying causes of dry eye, such as:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (blocked oil glands)
- Inflammation of the eyelids or ocular surface
- Tear film instability
- Environmental, hormonal, or systemic factors
Effective dry eye treatment requires identifying the root cause and creating a customized treatment plan.
Our Advanced Dry Eye Clinic Approach
Our practice offers a comprehensive dry eye evaluation and a full range of advanced, in-office treatments designed to target the specific cause of your symptoms. We focus on restoring the health of the tear film, improving gland function, and reducing inflammation — not just masking symptoms.
Because dry eye affects each patient differently, treatment may involve one or a combination of therapies. Below are the advanced treatment options we offer to help you achieve lasting relief and clearer, more comfortable vision.
OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
What is OptiLight IPL?
OptiLight IPL is an FDA-approved light-based treatment designed to address the underlying causes of dry eye disease, particularly meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It uses gentle pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes.
How it helps
IPL reduces inflammation, improves oil gland function, decreases abnormal blood vessels, and helps restore a healthier tear film.
What to expect
Treatments are quick, comfortable, and performed in-office. Most patients benefit from a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart.
OptiPLUS Radiofrequency (RF)
What is OptiPLUS RF?
OptiPLUS Radiofrequency uses controlled heat energy to gently warm the eyelids, improving the flow of natural oils from the meibomian glands.
How it helps
The heat softens thickened oils, enhances gland expression, and improves tear stability while also supporting eyelid health.
What to expect
The treatment is relaxing and non-invasive, often described as a warm massage. Sessions are typically combined with IPL or gland expression for optimal results.
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation
What is LipiFlow?
LipiFlow is an FDA-approved, in-office treatment designed specifically to treat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the leading causes of dry eye disease. It uses a combination of gentle heat and therapeutic pressure to unclog blocked oil glands in the eyelids.
How it helps
LipiFlow warms the meibomian glands from the inside of the eyelids while applying pulsating pressure to express thickened oils. This restores healthy oil flow, stabilizes the tear film, and reduces evaporation.
What to expect
The treatment is comfortable, hands-free, and lasts about 12 minutes per eye. Many patients experience improvement within weeks, with benefits that can last months.
Amniotic Membranes
What are amniotic membranes?
Amniotic membranes are biologic tissues used to promote healing on the surface of the eye. They contain natural growth factors and anti-inflammatory properties.
How they help
They support corneal healing, reduce inflammation, and protect the ocular surface in moderate to severe dry eye or surface disease.
What to expect
The membrane is placed on the eye during an in-office visit and typically dissolves or is removed after several days.
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment)
What is ZEST?
ZEST is a gentle, in-office eyelid hygiene treatment using a natural okra-based solution to remove debris, bacteria, and biofilm from the eyelids and lashes.
How it helps
By deeply cleaning the eyelid margins, ZEST reduces inflammation and improves the overall environment for healthy tear production.
What to expect
The procedure is quick, comfortable, and provides immediate improvement in eyelid cleanliness and comfort.
Punctal Plugs / Lacrifill
What are punctal plugs and Lacrifill?
These treatments help retain your natural tears by partially or temporarily blocking tear drainage.
- Punctal plugs are small, biocompatible devices placed in the tear ducts.
- Lacrifill is a temporary hyaluronic acid filler injected into the tear ducts to slow tear drainage.
How they help
They increase tear retention, improving lubrication and comfort for dry eye sufferers.
What to expect
Both options are quick, minimally invasive, and performed in the office.
Rinsada
What is Rinsada?
Rinsada is an In-office eyelid and ocular surface irrigation treatment designed to flush out inflammatory debris and toxins from the tear film.
How it helps
It reduces inflammation, improves comfort, and enhances the effectiveness of other dry eye treatment.
What to expect
The procedure is gentle and refreshing, often providing immediate symptom relief.
BlephEx
What is BlephEx?
BlephEx is a medical eyelid cleaning procedure that removes hardened debris, bacteria, and biofilm from the eyelid margins.
How it helps
By targeting the root cause of blepharitis, BlephEx reduces inflammation and supports long-term eyelid health.
What to expect
The treatment is performed in-office and takes only a few minutes per eye. Mild tickling or vibration may be felt.
Take a Look at Our Dry Eye Center
What Our Patients Say
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A Spa-Like Experience, Designed for Comfort
Every dry eye treatment at Piedmont EyeCare is delivered with precision and a calming touch. We’ve created a soothing environment that feels more like a wellness spa than a medical office, because we believe true healing happens when comfort and technology come together.