Find Lasting Relief for Irritated, Dry Eyes
Dry eye can be more than just an occasional annoyance. It can affect your comfort, productivity, and even your long-term vision. Many people live with dry eye without realizing that effective treatments are available from their optometrist.
Advanced EyeCare Center P.C. offers comprehensive dry eye screenings for both adults and children, using diagnostic tools to uncover the root cause of your symptoms.
From in-office therapies such as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to at-home solutions like eye masks, we create personalized treatment plans designed to restore comfort and support your eye health. Don’t let dry eye get in the way of your daily life. Contact us to schedule your dry eye evaluation today.
What Is
Dry Eye?
Dry eye happens when your tears are not sufficient in quantity or quality to keep your eyes hydrated. A healthy tear film has 3 layers: oil, water, and mucus, which work together to keep your eyes moist and clear. When any layer is disrupted, your eyes can feel irritated, gritty, or fatigued.
Dry eye can be temporary or chronic, but with proper diagnosis and care, symptoms can be managed effectively.
Causes of Dry Eye
While dry eye has many contributing factors, one of the most common causes is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). These tiny glands that line your eyelids produce oils that prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When they become blocked or don’t function properly, your tears evaporate faster, leading to discomfort.
Other causes of dry eye include:
- Reduced tear production
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.)
- Long hours of screen use
- Contact lens wear
- Environmental factors like dry air or wind
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms can vary from person to person. Some of the most common signs include:
- Burning, stinging, or scratchy eyes
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Redness or irritation
- A gritty or foreign body sensation
- Watery eyes (a reflex response to dryness)
If you’re experiencing these symptoms often, it’s time for a professional evaluation.
What Makes Dry Eye Worse?
Some lifestyle and environmental conditions can intensify dry eye symptoms, including:
- Prolonged computer or device use
- Air conditioning, heating, or fans
- Exposure to smoke or wind
- Dehydration or poor diet
- Incomplete blinking
Recognizing these triggers helps us tailor treatments that fit your daily life.
Our Dry Eye Diagnostic Process
Accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment. At Advanced EyeCare Center P.C., we use different tools to evaluate your tear quality, eyelid health, and meibomian gland function, including:
- Automated TBUT (tear break-up time): Measures tear film stability
- Schirmer’s test: Evaluates tear production
- Meibography: Provides detailed imaging of the meibomian glands
- Dyes and staining: Highlights dry spots or irregularities on the eye surface
- Other in-office evaluations to customize your care plan
Personalized Dry Eye Treatments
At Advanced EyeCare Center P.C., we go beyond basic eye drops to offer customized solutions for long-term relief.
Our treatments are designed to target the root cause of your dry eye and improve your comfort and eye health.
For daily management, we recommend simple and supportive treatments you can use at home to keep symptoms under control between visits:
- Omega-3 supplements: Nutritional support that improves the quality of natural tears and helps reduce inflammation linked to dry eye.
- Eye masks and eyelid sprays: Provide soothing relief, reduce irritation, and support eyelid hygiene to keep glands functioning properly.
In-Office Treatments
Our in-office therapies are designed to target the root causes of dry eye, restore healthy tear production, and improve overall eye comfort:
- LipiFlow thermal pulsation system: A therapy that combines heat and gentle massage to treat meibomian gland dysfunction and restore healthy tear film balance.
- Eyelid debridement: Removes debris and biofilm from the eyelid margin, helping to reduce inflammation and restore natural oil flow from the meibomian glands.
- Zocular ZEST eyelid treatment: A gentle, deep-cleaning procedure that clears away buildup on the eyelids and lashes, leaving eyes refreshed and more comfortable.
- Medicated eye drops: Prescription-strength drops that reduce inflammation and improve tear film quality for longer-lasting relief.
- Punctal plugs: Tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to help retain natural tears and keep the eyes better hydrated.
- Meibomian gland expression: A procedure that manually clears blockages in the oil glands, improving tear stability and reducing dryness.
Radiofrequency Therapy
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy with Forma TK uses gentle, controlled heat to treat the delicate skin around the eyes and improve the health of the meibomian glands. When these glands are blocked or not working properly, the tears lack the oils needed to keep them from evaporating too quickly.
RF therapy helps by softening hardened oils, stimulating healthy gland activity, and restoring a balanced tear film. Many patients also notice a bonus benefit: the warming effect can tighten the skin around the eyes, adding a subtle rejuvenating touch.
With regular treatments, RF therapy can provide lasting relief from dryness, burning, and irritation.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a noninvasive treatment that targets the inflammation and abnormal blood vessels around the eyelids, often associated with dry eye disease. These vessels release inflammatory mediators that worsen dryness and irritation.
By gently applying pulses of light, IPL helps reduce this inflammation, calm redness, and improve overall eyelid health. As a result, the tear film becomes more stable, reducing symptoms like burning, watering, and gritty sensations.
Over time, IPL not only provides long-term comfort but also supports healthier skin and eyelids, making it a dual benefit treatment for both eye wellness and appearance.
Take Our Dry Eye Questionnaire
Not sure if your symptoms are related to dry eye disease? Our questionnaire helps identify whether you may benefit from further evaluation and treatment.
Take Control of Your Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye is more than an inconvenience. It can affect your comfort, productivity, and overall quality of life. The good news is that you do not have to settle for temporary fixes. Through our treatments, from at-home care to in-office therapies like radiofrequency and IPL, lasting comfort is possible.
Our team takes the time to understand your unique symptoms, identify the root cause, and recommend a treatment plan designed for you. Whether your goal is to ease irritation, improve tear quality, or prevent symptoms from getting worse, we are here to help you see and feel your best.
Schedule your dry eye consultation today and discover how personalized care can improve your everyday life.
What We Can Do for
Your Eyes and Vision
The Art of
Caring for Your Eyes
Why Choose Us
Modern Care, Grounded
in Experience
We technology to deliver precise, personalized care, always within the full scope of optometric practice. From dry eye evaluations to eye disease support, we go beyond the basics, without overwhelming you.
A Calm, Boutique
Experience
Our space is designed to feel clean, quiet, and intentional—so you can focus on your care. We offer a more relaxed, thoughtful approach to eye health that helps patients of all ages feel at ease.
For Families, Professionals, & Everyone
Whether you’re booking your child’s first eye exam through InfantSEE or managing your own vision, we’re here with services that grow with you. We make it easy to access the information and support you need—when you need it.
Come Visit Us
Where to Find Us
You’ll find us on 86th Street, right next to Orange Leaf. Our team looks forward to welcoming you and your family into the clinic!
Where to Park
Free and convenient parking is available right outside the clinic—no stress, no circling the block.
Our Address
- 4660 86th Street
- Urbandale, IA 50322
Contact Information
- Phone: 515-727-6340
- Email: info@advancedeyecarepc.com
Hours Of Operation
***Closed 12–1 on Tuesdays
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Advanced EyeCare Center P.C.
- 4660 86th Street
- Urbandale, IA 50322