Not all prescription dry eye medications work the same way. Some target the underlying inflammation driving the condition. Others work by increasing your eye's natural tear production. Newer options address evaporation by restoring the lipid layer of the tear film. Dr. Tran selects the appropriate therapy — or combination — based on your specific dry eye mechanism, not a default first-line prescription.
Small biocompatible inserts placed in the eyelid drainage canal to slow tear drainage and keep your natural tears on the eye surface longer. The procedure takes only a few minutes. Temporary and permanent options are available. Punctal plugs can help patients keep moisture and are an important part of cataract care as well.
An injectable collagen-based punctal occluder — a newer alternative to traditional plugs. Lacrifill is placed directly into the punctal canal, conforms to the anatomy, and biodegrades gradually over time. It eliminates plug displacement risk and is ideal for patients who haven't retained conventional plugs. Stratus Eye is among the first practices in North Atlanta to offer Lacrifill.
Chronic dry eye is usually caused by one of two mechanisms — insufficient tear production, or tears that evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In many patients, both are present simultaneously. Identifying which mechanism is driving your symptoms is the first step, because the treatments for aqueous-deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye are different. That's why an evaluation — not a trial of drops — is the right starting point.
Artificial tears replace moisture temporarily but don't address the underlying cause. For patients with chronic symptoms, the root issue is usually inflammation or meibomian gland dysfunction — neither of which is resolved by lubrication alone. If drops haven't provided lasting relief, it typically means the mechanism driving your dry eye hasn't been identified or treated.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the oil-producing glands along the eyelid margin become blocked or stop functioning normally. These glands produce the oily layer of the tear film that prevents evaporation. When they degrade, tears evaporate too quickly and the ocular surface becomes chronically inflamed. MGD is responsible for the majority of chronic dry eye cases.
A punctal plug is a tiny biocompatible device inserted into the small opening in the corner of your eyelid through which tears drain. By slowing drainage, plugs keep your natural tears on the eye surface longer. Placement takes only a few minutes in the office and requires no anesthesia. Temporary dissolvable and semi-permanent options are available depending on your clinical needs.
Lacrifill is an injectable collagen-based punctal occluder — a newer alternative to traditional plugs. Rather than inserting a physical device, Lacrifill is injected directly into the punctal canal where it conforms to the anatomy and biodegrades gradually over time. It eliminates the risk of plug displacement and is well-suited for patients who haven't retained conventional plugs. Stratus Eye is among the first practices in North Atlanta to offer Lacrifill.
Prescription dry eye therapy is typically considered when over-the-counter options haven't provided adequate relief, or when your evaluation shows signs of significant ocular surface inflammation. Not all prescription medications work the same way — some reduce inflammation, some increase tear production, and others address evaporation by restoring the lipid layer. Dr. Tran determines the appropriate therapy based on your specific dry eye mechanism, not a default first-line prescription.
Yes — and this is frequently underappreciated. Untreated dry eye can affect the accuracy of the pre-surgical measurements used to select your cataract lens, and it can slow recovery after surgery. At Stratus Eye, dry eye evaluation is part of the pre-surgical workup for cataract patients who report symptoms. Treating dry eye before surgery leads to more accurate lens selection and a smoother recovery.
Chronic untreated dry eye can cause punctate epithelial erosions — small areas of surface cell loss on the cornea visible with fluorescein staining. Over time, persistent inflammation can affect the corneal surface and tear film stability. Most patients respond well to appropriate treatment before permanent changes occur, which is why evaluation and management matter more than waiting it out.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands don't produce enough tears. Evaporative dry eye — the more common form — occurs when tears evaporate too quickly due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Many patients have elements of both. The distinction matters because the two types respond to different treatments, which is why identifying your specific mechanism at the evaluation is essential.
Paradoxically, dry eye frequently causes excessive tearing. When the ocular surface is chronically dry or irritated, the eye produces reflex tears as a protective response. These reflex tears don't have the right composition to stabilize the tear film — they provide momentary relief but don't solve the underlying problem. Watery eyes in the context of burning or irritation is a common dry eye presentation.
Yes. Stratus Eye treats dry eye as a standalone condition for patients who are not surgical candidates and who are simply seeking relief from chronic symptoms. Whether or not you're considering cataract surgery, if dry eye is affecting your daily quality of life, Dr. Tran can evaluate and treat it.
Your evaluation includes a review of your symptom history, corneal topography, fluorescein staining to assess the ocular surface, and tear film assessment. Dr. Tran reviews the findings with you personally and explains what's driving your symptoms before recommending any treatment. Most patients leave with a clear understanding of their dry eye type and a specific plan — not a generic prescription.
Stratus Eye provides dry eye evaluation and treatment for patients across the North Atlanta region. Whether you're coming from Suwanee, Johns Creek, Duluth, Alpharetta, Cumming, Buford, Sugar Hill, Gainesville, or Lawrenceville, Dr. Tran will identify the specific cause of your dry eye and build a treatment plan around it — not a generic protocol. Most patients tell us the evaluation alone gave them answers they hadn't gotten anywhere else.
