Dry Eye Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Dry eye disease is a common condition where tears do not properly lubricate the surface of the eye. Your tear film is made up of three layers that work together to keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear. The outer lipid layer is an oily coating produced by the meibomian glands in your eyelids. This layer slows evaporation and keeps tears from drying out too quickly. The middle aqueous layer is the watery portion made by the lacrimal gland. It nourishes and protects the cornea. The inner mucin layer is a thin mucous coating produced by goblet cells on the eye surface. It helps tears spread evenly across the cornea.
16M+
Americans Diagnosed
80%+
Have MGD Component
Source: TFOS DEWS II; AAO prevalence data, 2017–2025.
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Take our dry eye self-assessment to learn whether your symptoms may benefit from evaluation.
Dry Eye Self-AssessmentComprehensive Eye Care Specialists
What Is Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is a common condition where tears do not properly lubricate the surface of the eye. Your tear film is made up of three layers that work together to keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear. The outer lipid layer is an oily coating produced by the meibomian glands in your eyelids. This layer slows evaporation and keeps tears from drying out too quickly. The middle aqueous layer is the watery portion made by the lacrimal gland. It nourishes and protects the cornea. The inner mucin layer is a thin mucous coating produced by goblet cells on the eye surface. It helps tears spread evenly across the cornea.
When any of these three layers is disrupted, the tear film breaks down. This can mean your eyes do not produce enough tears, your tears are poor quality, or your tears evaporate too fast. According to a 2023 study published in Ophthalmology, dry eye disease affects approximately 16 million diagnosed adults in the United States, with prevalence increasing with age (Source: Ophthalmology, 2023). The condition also costs the U.S. economy over $55.4 billion per year in direct medical expenses and lost productivity (Source: Yu et al., Ophthalmology, 2011).
Dry Eye Focus
Focused on diagnosing and treating ocular surface disease.
Advanced Diagnostics
Comprehensive dry eye evaluation with specialized testing.
Your Eyes in Expert Hands
Washington Eye Institute brings together board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists to diagnose and treat all forms of dry eye disease. Our team uses advanced diagnostic technology and a coordinated care approach to identify the root cause of your symptoms.
3 MDs and 3 ODs
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4 Maryland Locations
IPL Treatment Available
Personally Involved
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Dry Eye Disease Specialists
Our multi-specialty team works together so you receive coordinated care from your initial evaluation through treatment and follow-up. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists collaborate to ensure the best possible outcome for your dry eye condition.
Fellowship-Trained Specialists
Board-certified eye care team with advanced training
Personalized Treatment
Tailored approach based on your specific type of dry eye
In-Office Treatments
IPL therapy and punctal plug insertion for dry eye management
4 Convenient Locations
Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland, Maryland
Board-Certified Ophthalmologists and Optometrists
Is Dry Eye Affecting Your Life?
If you experience persistent dryness, burning, blurry vision, or watery eyes, you may have dry eye disease. These symptoms can affect your daily activities, from reading and screen work to driving and wearing contact lenses.
Our team performs a comprehensive evaluation to determine the specific type and severity of your dry eye, then builds a personalized treatment plan designed to address the root cause of your symptoms.
Early diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease can help protect your meibomian glands from permanent damage and preserve long-term eye comfort.
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Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
From IPL therapy to prescription drops, we match the treatment to your specific type of dry eye.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Dry Eye
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy is an in-office treatment that uses calibrated pulses of broad-spectrum light to target the root causes of dry eye. By reducing inflammation around the eyes, IPL helps improve function of the meibomian glands.
Expert evaluation and sustained symptom management for evaporative dry eye.
How IPL Treatment Works
Evaluation & Imaging
We assess your tear film, meibomian glands, and ocular surface to determine your treatment plan.
Protective Shielding
Eye shields are placed to protect your eyes while the treatment area is prepared.
Light Pulse Application
Targeted light pulses are applied around the eyelids to reduce inflammation and improve gland function.
Gland Expression
Your doctor gently expresses the meibomian glands to clear blockages and improve healthy oil flow to the tear film.
Patient Education Handouts
Download our easy-to-read guides to better understand your eye health.
Dry Eye Warning Signs
Recognize these common signs of dry eye disease.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Advanced tools for precise dry eye diagnosis and classification.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Targets inflammation and helps improve meibomian gland oil flow for evaporative dry eye.
Punctal Plugs
Tiny silicone inserts placed in the tear ducts to help retain moisture on the eye surface.
Meibography & Osmolarity
Infrared gland imaging and tear osmolarity testing to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) & Tear Break-Up Time
Non-invasive imaging and tear stability analysis for accurate dry eye classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dry eye disease be cured permanently?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition, which means it typically requires ongoing management rather than a one-time fix. The good news is that most patients see significant improvement in their comfort and vision quality with a consistent treatment plan. Our team focuses on identifying the specific cause of your dry eye and building a long-term strategy to keep symptoms under control.
How long does it take for dry eye treatment to work?
The timeline depends on the type and severity of your condition, as well as the treatments being used. Lifestyle changes and artificial tears may provide some relief within days. Prescription anti-inflammatory drops often take three to six months to reach their full effect. In-office procedures may show results within one to two weeks. Our team will set clear expectations at each stage of your treatment plan.
Does screen time make dry eye worse?
Yes, prolonged screen use is one of the most common triggers for dry eye symptoms. When you focus on a screen, your blink rate drops significantly, which causes tears to evaporate faster. Following the 20-20-20 rule and making a conscious effort to blink fully during screen work can help reduce this effect. Positioning your screen slightly below eye level also reduces the amount of exposed eye surface, which slows evaporation.
Is it safe to use eye drops every day?
Preservative-free artificial tears are generally safe for daily use, even multiple times per day. Drops that contain preservatives may cause irritation if used more than four times daily, so preservative-free options are preferred for frequent use. Prescription drops should be used exactly as directed by your eye care provider. If you are unsure which drops are right for you, our team can make a recommendation based on your specific needs.
Should I see a specialist for dry eye, or is my regular eye doctor enough?
Mild dry eye can often be managed during a routine eye exam. However, if your symptoms persist despite using artificial tears, if you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, or if your dry eye affects your daily activities, a specialist evaluation is a good next step. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists focus on ocular surface disease and have access to advanced diagnostic tools that provide a detailed picture of your tear film health. You can reach our team at 301.800.7490 to schedule an evaluation at our Greenbelt, Rockville, or Cumberland office.
Can dry eye disease affect my vision?
Dry eye disease can cause fluctuating or blurry vision, particularly during activities that require sustained focus such as reading or driving. A healthy tear film is essential for clear vision because it creates the smooth optical surface that light passes through on its way to the retina. When the tear film is unstable, light scatters unevenly, resulting in blurred or inconsistent vision. Treating the underlying dry eye condition often leads to noticeable improvement in visual clarity.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation Today
Our team of eye care specialists is ready to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms.