What’s the Best Treatment for Dry Eye? It Depends on the Cause

Dry eye is a condition that can make everyday tasks uncomfortable. While many people try over-the-counter drops or home remedies, finding the best treatment for dry eye depends on understanding the underlying cause. At Hoffman Eyecare, we take a comprehensive approach to identify why your eyes are dry and recommend treatments that provide lasting relief.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears you make don’t function properly to keep your eyes lubricated. This lack of moisture can cause symptoms such as burning, redness, blurred vision, or the persistent feeling that something is in your eye.

There are two primary types of dry eye. Aqueous-deficient dry eye happens when your eyes simply don’t produce enough tears to stay hydrated. Evaporative dry eye, on the other hand, occurs when your tears evaporate too quickly, often due to problems with the oil layer of your tears caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Many patients experience a combination of both types, which is why an accurate diagnosis is key to finding the most effective treatment.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye can develop for several reasons, including:

• Age-related changes in tear production

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), the most common cause of evaporative dry eye

• Environmental factors, like wind, dry air, or prolonged screen time

• Contact lens wear

• Certain medications, such as antihistamines or blood pressure medication

• Autoimmune conditions, like Sjögren’s syndrome

Identifying the cause allows us to create a customized treatment plan rather than relying on temporary solutions.

Why Traditional Treatments Often Fall Short

Most people first try artificial tears or lubricating drops. While these can temporarily soothe symptoms, they don’t address the root cause, especially in cases of evaporative dry eye caused by MGD. If the meibomian glands in your eyelids are blocked or not functioning properly, your tears lack the oils needed to prevent evaporation - leading to persistent irritation.

Effective Treatments for Lasting Relief

At Hoffman Eyecare, we begin with a thorough dry eye diagnosis to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms. From there, we provide advanced treatments that go beyond traditional drops to address the root cause of your discomfort.

Envision by InMode (Radiofrequency Therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive treatment that uses targeted radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate the natural oil flow in your meibomian glands. This improves tear stability, reduces eyelid inflammation, and even offers a mild skin-tightening effect around the eyes. By opening blocked glands and enhancing tear quality, Envision can provide lasting relief for patients with MGD-related dry eye.

Another highly effective option is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy, particularly beneficial for inflammation-related dry eye. IPL targets abnormal blood vessels and reduces inflammation along the eyelids, which in turn improves meibomian gland function. As a result, redness and irritation are minimized, and many patients notice significant improvements in both comfort and vision after completing a series of treatments.

Start Your Personalized Dry Eye Treatment Plan

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for dry eye because the best treatment depends on the cause. By identifying whether your symptoms stem from reduced tear production, MGD, or inflammation, we can create a customized plan that delivers lasting relief. If you’re tired of relying on eye drops that don’t solve the problem, it’s time to explore advanced treatments like Envision RF and IPL therapy.

If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, schedule a consultation at Hoffman Eyecare to learn if Envision RF or IPL therapy is right for you. Visit our office in Westfield, Indiana, or call (317) 339-1530 to book an appointment today.