Dry Eye Disease Treatment Options

Wyoming Eye Spa offers a full menu of dry eye treatments and advanced technologies to ensure that we can tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs and symptoms. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment options for your condition and help determine the most effective way to restore your eye comfort and tear function.

At-Home Care

Over-the-Counter Drops

Lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears, help relieve dryness and irritation by supplementing your natural tear film. These drops can be used regularly to keep the eyes hydrated and reduce inflammation associated with dry eye disease.

Lid Hygiene

Proper eyelid hygiene is essential for maintaining a healthy tear film and preventing conditions like blepharitis. Using lid wipes, foams, or hypochlorous acid sprays helps remove debris, bacteria, and oil buildup along the eyelid margins. We recommend using an approved lid hygiene product once or twice daily for optimal maintenance.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A diet high in Omega-6 fatty acids (commonly found in processed foods and corn-fed beef) can promote inflammation, leading to worsened dry eye symptoms. Increasing Omega-3 fatty acid intake—whether through diet or supplements—can help reduce inflammation, improve tear quality, and support overall eye health.

In-Office Care

Amniotic Membranes

Amniotic membrane therapy is a regenerative treatment for patients with severe corneal damage or chronic dry eye disease that has not responded to conventional treatments. These membranes, derived from donated placental tissue, contain anti-inflammatory and healing properties that promote corneal regeneration, reduce inflammation, and protect the eye’s surface. Amniotic membranes are placed on the eye for several days, acting as a protective barrier while stimulating healing and improving tear film stability.

Bandage Lenses

A bandage contact lens is a specialized therapeutic lens designed to protect the cornea and maintain moisture, reducing discomfort for patients with severe dry eye, corneal damage, or post-surgical healing needs. These lenses act as a shield, preventing excessive tear evaporation and helping the ocular surface heal.

Prescription Eye Drops

If inflammation is contributing to your dry eye symptoms, your doctor may prescribe immune-modulating eye drops, such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast, to help reduce inflammation, improve tear production, and protect the ocular surface.

Prescription Medications

Certain oral medications may be used to help control inflammation associated with dry eye disease. However, these treatments are tailored to the individual and will be discussed with your doctor to determine the best approach.

Topical Steroids

For moderate to severe dry eye cases, a short-term course of topical steroid eye drops may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. These drops are typically used for a limited duration under medical supervision.

In-Office Lid Hygiene Treatment

Debris, bacteria, and mites on the eyelashes and eyelid margins can interfere with the tear film, leading to chronic irritation, redness, and inflammation—a condition known as blepharitis. There are three main types of blepharitis: staphylococcal, seborrheic, and Demodex-related blepharitis.

A 10-minute in-office lid hygiene treatment effectively removes oil, debris, and bacterial buildup along the eyelid margins, helping to restore a healthy tear film. This procedure is recommended every 3 to 6 months to maintain eye comfort. Take-home devices are also available for ongoing maintenance.

In-Office Eye Flushing with Rinsada

Rinsada is a specialized in-office eye irrigation treatment designed to flush out allergens, debris, and irritants from the ocular surface. This gentle yet effective cleansing procedure can help patients with severe dry eye, allergies, or chronic irritation by removing harmful buildup and restoring tear film balance.

Autologous Serum Tears (AST)

Autologous serum tears (AST) are custom-made eye drops derived from a patient’s own blood plasma, offering a treatment option for patients with severe or refractory dry eye disease. These drops contain natural growth factors, proteins, and anti-inflammatory properties that help:

• Heal the corneal surface

• Improve tear quality

• Reduce inflammation

Since AST is made from a patient’s own serum, it closely mimics the composition of natural tears, making it one of the most biologically compatible treatments available for dry eye relief.

Gland Expression

Gland expression, also known as meibomian gland expression, is a treatment that unclogs blocked meibomian glands, allowing natural oils to flow freely and prevent tear evaporation. This procedure helps restore the integrity of the tear film and relieve symptoms caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Interventional Treatments

For patients needing more advanced treatment options, we offer the following therapies to target the underlying causes of dry eye disease:

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – Reduces inflammation and stimulates healthy meibomian gland function.

• Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy – Uses gentle heat to stimulate oil production in the meibomian glands and rejuvenate the skin around the eyes.

• Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) – Uses red and near-infrared light to increase cellular energy, promote healing, and reduce inflammation in the eyelids.

• Surgical Referral – In severe cases, surgical options may be considered if non-surgical treatments are not sufficient.
  ​​​​​​​