Dry Eye Treatment in North Scottsdale

Dry eye is a multifactorial condition, which means several things can cause it or make it worse. Common factors include age, hormonal changes from pregnancy, birth control, or menopause, and medications like antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants. Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems can also play a role, along with smoke, wind, dust, dry air, long-term contact lens wear, refractive surgery, and long hours on a computer, which can reduce how often you blink. Learn more about digital eye strain.

Dry eye can cause gritty, burning, or stinging eyes, redness, blurry vision that comes and goes, sensitivity to light, and discomfort when wearing contact lenses. Your eyes may also feel tired, especially after screen time. Not sure if your symptoms point to dry eye? Take our dry eye quiz or book an appointment so our team can take a closer look.

It may seem surprising, but watery eyes are a common sign of dry eye. When your tears don’t have the right balance of oil, water, and mucus, they evaporate too quickly and your eyes become irritated. Your eyes then respond by producing extra reflex tears, but these don’t have the oils needed to keep your eyes comfortable, so the dryness continues. Treating the underlying cause helps restore a healthy tear film.

We create a customized treatment plan for each patient, which can combine in-office therapies, home care, prescription medications, and nutritional supplements. Our in-office options include TearCare, which delivers targeted thermal energy to the eyelid glands, TempSure Envi radiofrequency treatments, and ZEST, a deep eyelid cleansing treatment that removes bacteria and debris buildup. We also recommend at-home therapies like warm compresses, preservative-free artificial tears, and supplements.

No. Our in-office treatments are designed to be gentle and comfortable. TearCare is a wearable technology, so you can blink naturally during treatment. TempSure Envi uses gentle warmth and is quick, with no downtime, so you can return to your day right away. ZEST is a soothing eyelid cleansing treatment that we typically recommend every 6 months.

Artificial tears can offer short-term relief, but they often don’t address what’s causing your dry eye, such as meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis. If you use drops, we recommend preservative-free options, since preservatives can irritate sensitive eyes with frequent use. For lasting relief, at-home care works best as part of a complete treatment plan that targets the root cause.

Dry eye is often a chronic condition, so the goal is long-term management rather than a one-time fix. Many of our patients find lasting relief through a personalized plan that includes regular follow-ups over a 12-month period, so we can track your progress and adjust treatment as needed. Book a dry eye assessment at our North Scottsdale office to get started.