Dry Eye Treatment in Honolulu
At Simply Eyes Hawaii, we diagnose and treat dry eye disease so you can get back to comfortable, clear vision. Dr. Sherry Wong brings focused expertise in dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction, and she works with each person to find the cause of their symptoms, not just mask them. If your eyes have been bothering you for weeks or months, a dry eye evaluation is the right first step.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears you make evaporate too quickly to keep your eyes comfortable. It’s one of the most common conditions we treat here in Honolulu, and Hawaii’s climate makes it worse for a lot of people. Sun, trade winds, air conditioning, and long hours on screens all disrupt the tear film and leave eyes feeling dry, gritty, or sore.
Dry eye is a chronic condition, which means it generally doesn’t resolve on its own. The right treatment depends on what’s causing it, and that starts with a thorough exam.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
If you notice any of the following regularly, it’s worth getting checked:
- Stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling in your eyes
- Watery or excessively tearing eyes (a reflex response to dryness)
- Blurry vision that temporarily clears when you blink
- Redness or irritation
- Light sensitivity
- A feeling that something is stuck in your eye
- Discomfort or difficulty wearing contact lenses
Symptoms that come and go, or that worsen later in the day, are typical of dry eye disease. Left untreated, the condition can cause chronic inflammation and, over time, damage to the surface of the eye.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye has two main forms, and they often overlap.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands don’t produce enough tear volume. This becomes more common with age, and is also associated with certain medications, including antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, as well as autoimmune conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome.
Evaporative dry eye is the more common form. It’s usually caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (see below). The tear volume may be normal, but tears evaporate too fast because the oil layer is inadequate.
Other contributing factors include:
- Hawaii’s trade winds and UV exposure outdoors
- Air conditioning in offices, cars, and homes
- Extended screen time with reduced blinking
- Hormonal changes, particularly in women
- Diabetes and other systemic health conditions
- Contact lens wear
During your exam, Dr. Wong will evaluate your tear production, tear film stability, and eyelid gland function to identify which type of dry eye you have and what’s driving it.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, is the leading cause of dry eye disease. Along the edges of your upper and lower eyelids are small oil glands. When they become blocked or stop functioning properly, the oil layer of your tear film breaks down. Tears evaporate faster, and eyes become dry, irritated, and red.
MGD often has no obvious symptoms at first. Many people with significant gland involvement don’t realize it until a thorough in-office evaluation. That’s why a proper dry eye workup goes well beyond a simple eye chart test.
Treatment for MGD typically includes warm compresses, lid hygiene, and in some cases in-office treatments to clear the glands. Dr. Wong will assess gland function during your dry eye evaluation and build a plan around your specific findings.
Treatment Options for Dry Eyes
There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Our approach starts with identifying the type and severity of your dry eye before recommending anything. Depending on your exam, your plan may include one or more of the following:
Artificial tears and lubricating drops
Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide short-term relief. For chronic dry eye, we may recommend specific formulations or preservative-free options based on your tear chemistry.
Prescription eye drops
Medications like Restasis or Xiidra target the underlying inflammation that contributes to dry eye disease, helping your eyes produce healthier, more stable tears over time.
Warm compresses and lid hygiene
For meibomian gland dysfunction, regular warm compresses help loosen blocked oils. Lid scrubs remove buildup along the lash line. We’ll walk you through a home routine that fits your schedule.
Punctal plugs
Tiny, painless plugs inserted into the tear drainage ducts slow the drainage of tears, keeping natural moisture on the eye surface longer. This is a simple in-office procedure.
Nutritional support
Omega-3 fatty acids have clinical support for improving tear film quality. We can advise on dosage and formulations that have the best evidence.
Lens adjustments for contact wearers
If contact lenses are making your dry eye worse, we can evaluate whether a different material, modality, or wearing schedule would help. Daily disposable lenses are often better tolerated by people with dry eye.
Dry Eye and Life in Hawaii
Hawaii is a beautiful place to live, but the environment creates some specific dry eye triggers. Wind off the ocean accelerates tear evaporation. UV exposure and reflected glare affect the ocular surface. Most offices and homes rely on air conditioning year-round, which significantly lowers indoor humidity. And for a lot of people, outdoor work, beach time, and screen-heavy schedules add up.
Polarized sunglasses with wrap-around coverage help block wind and UV when you’re outside. Staying hydrated and taking regular breaks from screens also makes a measurable difference. For those whose symptoms persist despite these adjustments, a treatment plan is the next step.
At Simply Eyes Hawaii, we understand how dry eyes can affect your daily comfort, and we’re here to help restore lasting relief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Eyes
At Simply Eyes Hawaii, a dry eye evaluation includes assessment of tear film stability, tear volume, and meibomian gland health. We’ll ask about your symptoms, medications, and lifestyle to build a complete picture before making recommendations.
It can be. Mild dry eye is uncomfortable but manageable. Untreated moderate to severe dry eye can lead to chronic inflammation and surface damage to the cornea. Early treatment gives the best outcomes.
Yes. An unstable tear film causes light to scatter unevenly, producing blurry or fluctuating vision, especially during reading, driving, or screen use. Vision often temporarily clears with blinking.
Watery eyes are a reflex response to dryness. When the tear film breaks down, the eye sends a signal to produce more tears, but these reflex tears don’t have the right composition to fix the problem. The underlying dry eye still needs treatment.
Yes. Dry eye is one of the most common reasons contact wearers become uncomfortable. Depending on your exam, we may recommend switching lens types, adjusting your wear schedule, or adding lubricating drops to your routine.
Both cause redness, irritation, and watery eyes, and they can occur together. Allergy-related symptoms typically include itching and respond to antihistamine drops. A comprehensive exam helps us distinguish between the two and treat accordingly.
Not always. Many cases improve with over-the-counter artificial tears, but persistent dry eye may require prescription-strength treatment.
Most forms of dry eye are managed rather than cured. The goal is to reduce symptoms, protect the ocular surface, and improve your daily comfort. Many people do very well with the right treatment plan in place.
Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation in Honolulu
If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or uncomfortable on a regular basis, a proper evaluation is the first step. Simply Eyes Hawaii is located at 1150 S King St #201 in the eleven50 building in Makiki, convenient to Ala Moana, Mō’ili’ili, Kakaako, and McCully. Validated parking is available off Young Street.
