Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears, causing irritation, burning, fluctuating vision and a gritty sensation.
It is extremely common, especially among older adults and in warm, breezy, air-conditioned climates like Florida's Gulf Coast. Treatment ranges from simple lubricating drops to in-office procedures that address the oil glands of the eyelids. Many Sarasota-Bradenton practices offer a stepwise plan tailored to the type and severity of dry eye.
Over-the-counter lubricating drops, warm compresses and screen-time habits; the first step for most patients.
Medications that reduce inflammation to help the eyes make better-quality tears over time.
Tiny inserts placed in the tear ducts to keep natural tears on the eye longer; a quick in-office step.
Procedures such as intense pulsed light or thermal expression that target blocked oil glands behind evaporative dry eye.
A Florida medical license lets a physician practice, but board certification is the signal that a doctor completed accredited residency training and passed rigorous exams in their specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board that matches the care you need — and verify it yourself.
Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.
American Academy of Ophthalmology — EyeSmart ↗National Eye Institute (NIH) ↗Choose a board-certified doctor — and verify it yourself:
ABMS — Certification Matters ↗ Look up any U.S. physician’s board certification across all 24 ABMS member specialty boards. Florida DOH — License Verification ↗ Confirm an active Florida license and review any disciplinary history. NPI Registry (CMS) ↗ Verify a provider’s national identifier and registered specialty taxonomy. Medicare Care Compare ↗ Compare clinicians, hospitals and facilities on quality measures.