Here you’ll find trusted patient handouts on common eye conditions and our latest monthly eye health blog posts to help you care for your vision.

At Broadway Family Optometry, we believe that understanding your eye condition is a key part of taking care of your vision. That is why we have created this collection of easy-to-read guides to help you feel more confident, informed, and supported. Each guide below covers a common eye condition, what it means, and how it is treated. These are the same topics we often discuss in our visits together - now available for you to review anytime, at your own pace.

Click any condition below to open its guide.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Blepharitis
Blepharospasm
Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR)
Chalazion
Corneal Ulcer
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry Eye Syndrome
Glaucoma (Early Stage)
Macular Degeneration (Dry Form)
Ocular Hypertension
Ocular Migraine
Pingueculae
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)
Pseudopapilledema
Pterygium
Retinal Detachment
Strabismus
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Uveitis
Viral Conjunctivitis

We are continuing to add more guides to this library. Please check back often for updates, or ask
our staff if you would like a printed copy at your next visit.
If you have questions about anything you read here, I encourage you to reach out.
We are here to help you see good, look better, and feel your best.

Warm regards,
Dr. Boris Mardian, O.D.

Introduction

Summer in California can make Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) worse. Many people feel burning, gritty, or watery eyes but don’t know why. This month’s blog breaks down what causes dry eyes, how they’re diagnosed, and the latest treatments to help you find relief.

What Are Tears Made Of?

Healthy tears have three layers:

• Outer lipid layer (oil): slows evaporation.
• Middle aqueous layer (water): provides moisture and nutrients.
• Inner mucin layer (mucus): spreads tears evenly.

When any layer is out of balance, dry eye can develop. 


Why Do Eyes Get Dry?

 Two main reasons:
✅ Aqueous Tear-Deficient Dry Eye—not enough tears produced. 
✅ Evaporative Dry Eye—tears evaporate too quickly (often from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction).
Many patients have both types. 


Common Triggers and Risks 

• California’s dry, hot weather
• Air conditioning, screen time
• Aging, menopause
• Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants)
• Autoimmune conditions (e.g., Sjögren’s)
• Blepharitis and eyelid inflammation

Eye Conditions Linked to Dry Eye

✅ Conditions that Can Cause Dry Eye:

• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
• Autoimmune conditions (e.g., Sjögren’s)
• Certain medications
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Contact lens use or overuse

✅ Conditions that Can Result from Dry Eye:

• Recurrent corneal erosions
• Corneal staining and damage
• Post-surgical dryness (LASIK, cataract surgery)
• Chronic conjunctival inflammation

Signs You May Have Dry Eye

• Gritty, burning, stinging
• Excess tearing (reflex)
• Redness, light sensitivity
• Blurry vision that clears with blinking

How We Diagnose It

• Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)
• Schirmer’s Test
• Meibomian gland assessment
• Corneal staining

Advanced Dry Eye Testing Technologies

Modern optometry now uses new tools to better diagnose the cause and severity of Dry Eye Syndrome: 


• Tear Osmolarity (TearLab®): Measures salt concentration in tears to assess tear film stability.
• InflammaDry®: Detects MMP-9, an inflammatory marker, to see if inflammation is a major factor.
• Meibography Imaging: Infrared imaging of Meibomian glands shows blockages or gland dropout.
• Non-Invasive TBUT: Uses corneal topographers to measure tear stability without dyes.
• Lipid Layer Thickness: Measures how thick the oily layer is, helpful for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. 

These newer tests help pinpoint exactly what’s causing your dry eyes and guide the best treatment plan. 

Treatments for Dry Eye

✅ Lifestyle Tips—Blink more, take screen breaks, use humidifiers, and wear wraparound sunglasses.

✅ Artificial Tears—Preservative-free drops can help.

✅ Prescription Drops & Sprays:

• Restasis® (Cyclosporine 0.05%)
• Cequa® (Cyclosporine 0.09%)
• Xiidra® (Lifitegrast)
• Tyrvaya® Nasal Spray
• Eysuvis®
• Miebo® 

✅ “Biologic” Drops:
In addition to traditional prescription drops, some clinics offer so-called "biologic" drops for severe Dry Eye Disease. Examples include

• Autologous Serum Tears (AST): Made from the patient’s own blood serum; rich in growth factors, vitamins, and nutrients that help heal the ocular surface. They are highly biocompatible with minimum risk of immune reaction.
• Umbilical Cord or Amniotic Fluid-Derived Drops: These are special biologic eye drops made by processing donated human birth tissues (like amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood) after birth. Therefore, there’s a small risk of contamination if not processed properly—and they must follow strict screening and sterility standards.

✅ Punctal Plugs: Keep tears on the eyes longer.

✅ Intense Pulsated Light (IPL) Therapy: Clears Meibomian glands.

✅ Warm Compress Masks: Warm compress masks (Bruder® Moist Heat Compress) can help loosen the oils in your eyelid glands and reduce tear evaporation. Popular options include microwaveable masks or plug-in heated goggles. While they can help mild cases when used properly and regularly, they do not replace in-office treatments like LipiFlow®, IPL, or professional gland expression, which provide deeper, longer-lasting results.
The following are a few of the more advanced devices than microwaveable masks:

• Blephasteam®: A goggle-style device that delivers consistent moist heat and has clinical evidence (but it’s mostly available in Europe).
  
  
• Halifax Heated Micro Steam Eye Cover: An eye mask designed to provide relief for dry, fatigued, or strained eyes through moist heat therapy.
  

Some newer plug-in masks have temperature controls (Blinkjoy®), but evidence is still limited compared to in-office thermal pulsation.

✅Amniotic Membrane Therapy (Prokera®): For severe dry eye with corneal damage. FDA-cleared device worn like a large bandage contact lens for a few days.

✅ Oral Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil/flaxseed) can help Meibomian gland function.

✅ Other In-Office Options: LipiFlow®, BlephEx®.




 Dry Eye vs. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (K Sicca)

 Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (K Sicca) are terms often used interchangeably. Both describe inadequate tear production or excessive evaporation leading to dryness and inflammation.

✅ In Common: unstable tear film, corneal and conjunctival inflammation, and symptoms like burning, grittiness, and fluctuating vision.

✅ Difference: K Sicca is more specific when chronic inflammation and ocular surface damage are present, often linked to autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s.

✅ Treatment: Both are managed similarly—lubricants, anti-inflammatories, advanced therapies—but K Sicca may require stronger interventions like amniotic membranes or coordination with your primary doctor

Final Thoughts

At Broadway Family Optometry, Dr. Mardian uses non-invasive diagnostic tools and the latest evidence-based treatments to pinpoint the root cause of your dry eye, whether you have mild Dry Eye Disease or more severe Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca. From personalized home care to advanced prescription drops, you’ll have the right guidance to protect your comfort and vision year-round.
If your eyes feel dry, gritty, or irritated—don’t wait. Dr. Mardian and our caring team are here to help you SEE GOOD, LOOK BETTER, and FEEL BEST

[Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. For individualized advice and recommendations, please contact Dr. Boris Mardian, OD, at any time.]

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