The Dry Eye Institute of the University Eye Center at Ketchum Health is a world-class research and teaching facility that takes a comprehensive team-based approach to patient care. With leading edge technology and a spectrum of specialized tests, optometrists work with patients to deliver a personalized treatment plan to minimize or eliminate symptoms while maximizing optimal long-term eye health.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye describes a condition in which eyes do not produce enough tears or produce imbalanced tears, insufficient to lubricate and nourish the eye. Dry eye is most often a result of the eyes’ natural aging process, though it can be a result of health, environmental or other factors as well. Children and young adults also present with signs and symptoms of dry eye now too. Dry eye symptoms are often unique for different people.
You may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Irritated, scratchy, dry or uncomfortable eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Burning sensation of the eyes
- A feeling of a foreign body or grittiness in the eye
- Blurred and inconsistent vision
- Excessive watering of the eyes
- Tired eyes
- In extreme cases, pain and headaches
Unfortunately, dry eye cannot be cured. The Dry Eye Institute team aims to restore as much normal tear production as possible to minimize discomfort as well as maintain eye wellness.
How Dry Eye is treated at the University Eye Center?
If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, your optometric team will perform “dry eye” tests using state of the art diagnostic instruments to evaluate the quality, amount and distribution of your tears.
Your optometrist will also need to know about your daily activities, your general health, medications you are taking and environmental factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
The goal of a dry eye consultation is to work with you to create a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan customized to your individual lifestyle.
Additionally, Ketchum Health also provides advanced instrumentation such as the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M, allowing the team to show you your eyelids, eyelashes, oil glands and eye surface, which makes a decided impact on education around effective diagnosis and care. We are also one of the first 25 centers in the U.S. to get the iLux.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
Ketchum Health is proud to continue expanding the advanced technology available through our Dry Eye Institute. Our newest in-office treatment options include Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Radiofrequency (RF), two innovative therapies designed to help address evaporative dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, and inflammation around the eyelids.
IPL therapy uses gentle pulses of light to target inflammation and abnormal blood vessels around the eyelids that can contribute to dry eye symptoms. This treatment can help support healthier meibomian gland function and improve the quality of the tear film.
Radiofrequency therapy uses controlled heat energy to gently warm the tissues around the eyelids. This helps soften thickened oils within the meibomian glands and encourages more effective oil flow, which is essential for maintaining a stable tear film and reducing evaporation.
Together, IPL and RF provide additional treatment options for patients who may not be getting enough relief from artificial tears, warm compresses, prescription drops, or other traditional dry eye therapies alone. As with all care at the Dry Eye Institute, treatment recommendations are customized based on each patient’s symptoms, exam findings, lifestyle, and ocular surface needs.
In addition to IPL and RF, the Dry Eye Institute offers a wide range of diagnostic technology and in-office treatments, including:
- OCULUS Keratograph® 5M imaging to evaluate the eyelids, eyelashes, oil glands, tear film, and ocular surface
- iLux® treatment for targeted warming and expression of blocked meibomian glands
- LipiFlow® thermal pulsation therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction
- BlephEx® eyelid cleaning to help remove biofilm, debris, and buildup associated with blepharitis
- Amniotic membranes to support healing of the ocular surface
- Punctal plugs to help retain natural tears and improve ocular surface lubrication
- Autologous Serum drops made from a patient’s own blood serum for patients with more severe ocular surface disease
These technologies allow our doctors to take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to dry eye care and create a personalized plan to help improve comfort, vision stability, and long-term eye health.
Contact Us
Call us today at 714.463.7580 to schedule your dry eye appointment.