Why Your Dry Eye Droplets Aren’t Enough

If you reach for artificial tears multiple times a day but still feel dryness, burning, or irritation, you’re not alone. Many people rely on over-the-counter lubricating drops as their main solution for dry eye - only to find that relief is brief and symptoms quickly return. At Grove Eye Care, we specialize in identifying the root cause of your symptoms and providing advanced solutions like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy to deliver meaningful, lasting relief.
 

The Problem With Relying Solely on Artificial Tears

Artificial tears help replace or supplement the watery layer of your tears, but dry eye is rarely just a moisture issue. In fact, most chronic dry eye cases are linked to MGD, where the oil-producing glands in your eyelids become blocked or inflamed.

When those glands can’t release healthy oils:

• Your tears evaporate too quickly

• Your eyes feel gritty, irritated, or fatigued

• You experience fluctuating or blurry vision

• You rely on drops more and more

Artificial tears can help for a moment, but they don’t fix the blocked glands, meaning symptoms inevitably return.
 

MGD: The Most Common Driver of Dry Eye

MGD affects the quality of your tear film, not just the quantity. The lipid (oil) layer is essential for locking in moisture. When this layer is compromised:

• Your tears break apart too quickly

• The ocular surface becomes inflamed

• Chronic dryness becomes nearly impossible to manage with drops alone

We use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate gland structure, function, and inflammation so treatment targets the true source of irritation.
 

Why Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Makes the Difference

Treating MGD requires more than manual warm compresses or OTC remedies. Modern dry eye care focuses on restoring healthy gland function, reducing inflammation, and improving tear stability. IPL uses light-based energy to reduce eyelid inflammation, break up blockages, and improve the quality of oil flow from your meibomian glands. Patients often experience a noticeable improvement in comfort and vision stability after a series of treatments.
 

When to Seek Professional Dry Eye Care

It’s time to schedule a dry eye evaluation if you:

• Depend on drops several times a day

• Have burning, gritty, or watery eyes

• Experience irritation when using screens

• Notice fluctuating or blurry vision

• Wake up with discomfort

• Have symptoms that get progressively worse

If your dryness keeps coming back, it’s almost always a sign of MGD or another underlying tear-film issue that requires clinical treatment.
 

Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation Today

Artificial tears can help soothe dryness, but they are not designed to treat the cause of chronic dry eye - especially when MGD is involved. Our advanced dry eye treatments, including IPL therapy, target the inflammation and gland dysfunction behind your discomfort to restore lasting comfort and clarity.

If your dry eye droplets aren’t enough, Grove Eye Care is here to help. Our team provides modern diagnostics and personalized MGD-focused treatments to bring you real relief. Visit our office in Richmond or Midlothian, Virginia. Call (804) 353-3937 or (804) 888-8998 to book an appointment today.