If your dry, irritated eyes never seem to get better, no matter how many eye drops you use, it may be a sign of a more serious issue. Severe dry eye can interfere with your ability to work, drive, read, sleep, and enjoy daily life. When symptoms persist or worsen, it’s time to look beyond home remedies and consider professional treatment.
At Progressive Family Eye Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating the root causes of chronic dry eye using advanced, in-office therapies. Keep reading to learn about the causes of severe dry eye and how to find relief with dry eye treatments in Plymouth, Michigan.
When eye drops aren’t enough
Over-the-counter artificial tears and warm compresses may provide temporary relief for mild dry eye. However, if your symptoms include any of the following, you may be dealing with a more advanced or underlying issue:
- Burning, stinging, or gritty sensations in your eyes
- Blurred vision that improves after blinking
- Redness, inflammation, or visible irritation
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing (yes, this is a symptom of dry eye!)
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
- Eye fatigue, especially after using screens or reading
If these symptoms persist despite your best efforts at home, it’s a sign that your eyes need more targeted treatment.
What causes severe dry eye?
Severe dry eye has many potential causes, including:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): When the oil glands in your eyelids become blocked, your tears evaporate too quickly.
- Inflammation: Chronic inflammation on the surface of the eyes or eyelids can disrupt tear production.
- Hormonal changes: Dry eye is more common in women, especially during pregnancy and menopause.
- Medications or medical conditions: Certain medications and conditions, like autoimmune diseases or diabetes, can contribute to symptoms.
- Environment or screen use: Dry climates, contact lens wear, and extended screen time can cause or worsen symptoms.
The key to long-term relief is finding the underlying cause and treating it at the source, not just masking the symptoms.
Advanced in-office dry eye treatments in Plymouth
Chronic dry eye can be difficult to manage if you are only treating the symptoms and not the root cause. Without the right diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, symptoms can return quickly or progressively worsen over time, raising the risk of infections and ocular surface damage. That’s why it’s important to work with an eye care provider who can identify what’s really causing your dry eye and recommend solutions that go beyond surface-level relief.
At Progressive Family Eye Care, patients with moderate to severe dry eye have access to several advanced dry eye treatments in Plymouth, MI, that go beyond eye drops:
BlephEx® treatment
BlephEx® dry eye treatment is a gentle, in-office eyelid cleaning treatment that removes debris and biofilm that can cause inflammation and contribute to dry eye. You can think of it like a professional exfoliation for your eyelids that restores a healthier environment for tear production.
iLux® thermal pulsation system
Systane’s iLux²® thermal pulsation system is specifically designed to unblock the meibomian glands and improve oil flow in your tears. It uses gentle heat and pressure to clear obstructions in minutes, providing lasting relief for people with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), one of the most common causes of dry eye.
OptiLight IPL therapy
OptiLight uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to reduce inflammation around the eyes and stimulate healthy gland function. It’s especially effective for patients with rosacea or inflammatory dry eye. With only a few sessions, many patients experience a significant reduction in redness, discomfort, and dryness.
Visit us for dry eye treatment in Plymouth, MI
If you’re constantly thinking about your eyes, struggling to get through your day, or avoiding activities you enjoy because of discomfort, it’s time to get professional help.
Progressive Family Eye Care offers comprehensive dry eye evaluations in Plymouth, Michigan, and treatment plans personalized to your unique needs. Call us or schedule your appointment online to find out which treatment is right for you.
