Dry Eye Treatment in Portland, OR
Dry, itchy, or burning eyes aren’t just uncomfortable — they could be signs of chronic dry eye disease. We specialize in identifying the root cause of your symptoms and offering advanced, personalized solutions to bring you lasting relief. Whether your discomfort is mild or affecting your daily life, our Portland team is here to help you feel and see better.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or produce poor-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. This leads to dryness, irritation, and sometimes even blurry vision. The condition can affect anyone, but it becomes more common with age, increased screen time, certain medical conditions, and environmental factors like Portland’s changing seasons.
Common symptoms include:
- A burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Redness or a gritty, “sandy” feeling
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Excessive tearing (a reflex from irritation)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to an eye doctor about dry eye treatment options.
Why Treating Dry Eye Matters
Dry eye isn’t just annoying — if left untreated, it can lead to long-term discomfort and even damage the surface of your eye. That can increase your risk of eye infections, affect your vision clarity, and make everyday tasks like reading, working on a computer, or driving more difficult.
By identifying the cause of your dry eye and starting a treatment plan, we can help restore comfort, reduce inflammation, and protect the health of your eyes. Many patients see improvement with a combination of in-office treatments and at-home care, and the sooner we begin, the better the results.
Common Causes of Dry Eye
There isn’t a single cause of dry eye — and that’s why personalized care matters. During your consultation, we’ll determine what’s contributing to your symptoms. Common causes include:
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): Blocked oil glands in the eyelids, which affect tear stability
- Environmental factors: Wind, smoke, allergens, dry indoor air
- Screen time: Reduced blinking leads to faster tear evaporation
- Contact lens wear: Especially if worn for long hours or overnight
- Certain medications: Including antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure drugs
- Autoimmune conditions: Such as Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
Understanding what’s behind your dry eye is key to effective treatment.
Dry Eye Treatment Options in Portland, OR
We offer a range of advanced therapies and lifestyle recommendations to help you feel better, faster. Your treatment plan will be customized to match the root cause of your dry eye. Here are some of the options we provide:
Eyelight® Light-Based Dry Eye Treatment
Eyelight® is a gentle, non-invasive light therapy that targets one of the root causes of dry eye: inflammation around the eyelids and meibomian glands. Using carefully calibrated wavelengths of light, Eyelight® reduces inflammation…
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
We use IPL therapy to target the inflammation that often sits at the root of dry eye symptoms. With controlled pulses of light, we can treat the skin around your eyes and help improve the function of your meibomian glands…
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
We also offer LLLT, a gentle, red-light therapy that stimulates natural healing in the eyelids. This completely non-invasive treatment helps restore healthy function to your oil glands and encourages more stable…
Specialized Prescription Eye Drops
Unlike over-the-counter artificial tears, which provide temporary moisture, prescription treatments help restore healthier tear function over time. These drops work to increase tear quantity, improve tear quality, and reduce…
Lifestyle Adjustments & Home Therapies
For many patients, a few simple adjustments can make a big difference. These may include:
- Using a humidifier indoors
- Taking regular screen breaks…
What to Expect at Your Dry Eye Consultation
We take the time to fully understand your symptoms and create a treatment plan that works for your eyes — and your lifestyle. During your visit, you can expect:
- A thorough eye health and tear film evaluation
- Meibomian gland imaging (if needed)
- Tests to measure tear quantity and quality
- A review of your medical history and environmental exposure
- Clear education about your options and next steps
Our team explains everything in plain language and makes sure you feel confident in your care. We’re here to guide you through your treatment journey with comfort, compassion, and expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eye
Is dry eye permanent?
Not necessarily. Some cases are temporary, but chronic dry eye needs ongoing care. The good news is that with the right treatment, most people experience significant improvement.
Can dry eye affect my vision?
Not necessarily. Some cases are temporary, but chronic dry eye needs ongoing care. The good news is that with the right treatment, most people experience significant improvement.
Are over-the-counter drops enough?
Not necessarily. Some cases are temporary, but chronic dry eye needs ongoing care. The good news is that with the right treatment, most people experience significant improvement.
Does screen time really make it worse?
Not necessarily. Some cases are temporary, but chronic dry eye needs ongoing care. The good news is that with the right treatment, most people experience significant improvement.
Why Choose Us for Dry Eye Relief?
We combine advanced diagnostics with patient-centered care to offer real solutions — not just symptom patches. Whether you’ve had dry eye for years or are just starting to notice discomfort, we’ll work with you to understand your symptoms, treat the root cause, and improve your quality of life.
Dry eyes don’t have to be something you just live with. Book your appointment today and let’s bring your eyes lasting comfort.