Expert Dry Eye Care. Personalized Relief. Healthier Eyes.
The Dry Eye Institute at the University Eye Center, Ketchum Health is a nationally recognized center for advanced dry eye diagnosis, treatment, education, and research. As part of Marshall B. Ketchum University, our specialists combine leading-edge technology with evidence-based care to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms—not simply treat them.
Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to improve comfort, stabilize vision, and promote long-term ocular surface health.
What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly due to poor tear quality. While dry eye becomes more common with age, it can affect people of all ages and may be influenced by digital device use, contact lens wear, medical conditions, medications, hormonal changes, environmental factors, and eyelid or meibomian gland dysfunction.
Common symptoms include:
- Dry, irritated, or scratchy eyes
- Burning or stinging
- Redness
- A gritty or foreign body sensation
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Excessive tearing or watery eyes
- Eye fatigue
- Light sensitivity
- Eye discomfort or pain
Although dry eye is typically a chronic condition, modern treatments can significantly improve symptoms, restore tear film function, and help protect the health of your eyes.
Comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluations
No two cases of dry eye are alike. Our specialists perform a thorough evaluation using advanced diagnostic technology to determine the specific causes of your symptoms.
Your examination includes an assessment of:
- Tear quality and tear production
- Meibomian gland health and function
- Eyelid and eyelash health
- Ocular surface integrity
- Lifestyle, medical history, medications, and environmental factors
Using advanced imaging such as the OCULUS Keratograph® 5M, we can show you detailed images of your eyelids, tear film, meibomian glands, and ocular surface, allowing you to better understand your condition while helping us develop the most effective treatment plan.
Every treatment recommendation is customized to your individual findings, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
The Dry Eye Institute offers one of the most comprehensive dry eye treatment programs in Southern California, combining innovative in-office procedures with personalized medical management.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
OptiLIGHT by Lumenis® is the first and only FDA-approved IPL treatment specifically designed for dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Gentle pulses of light reduce eyelid inflammation, improve meibomian gland function, and enhance the quality of your natural tears.
Radiofrequency (RF)
Radiofrequency therapy gently warms the eyelids using controlled heat energy to soften thickened oils within the meibomian glands, improving oil flow and helping reduce tear evaporation. RF also offers the added benefit of supporting collagen remodeling around the eyes.
IPL and RF are frequently combined to provide enhanced treatment for evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Additional Advanced Therapies
Depending on your individual needs, your personalized treatment plan may include:
- iLux® for precise warming and expression of blocked meibomian glands
- LipiFlow® thermal pulsation therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction
- BlephEx® deep eyelid cleaning to remove bacterial biofilm and debris associated with blepharitis
- Punctal plugs to help preserve natural tears
- Amniotic membrane therapy to promote healing of the ocular surface
- Autologous Serum Eye Drops, created from your own blood serum, to support healing in moderate to severe ocular surface disease
- Prescription medications, nutritional recommendations, eyelid hygiene, and customized home care when appropriate
Our doctors carefully select the treatments that will provide the greatest benefit based on your condition, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Choose the Dry Eye Institute?
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Comprehensive dry eye evaluations using advanced diagnostic technology
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Evidence-based, individualized treatment plans
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Access to the latest medical and procedural therapies
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Specialists experienced in managing mild to complex dry eye disease
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Academic expertise through Marshall B. Ketchum University, integrating patient care, education, and research
Schedule Your Dry Eye Consultation
If dry, irritated, watery, or fluctuating vision is affecting your quality of life, we're here to help.
Call 714.463.7580 to schedule your comprehensive dry eye evaluation with the Dry Eye Institute at Ketchum Health.