Dry Eye

Find Relief From Dry Eye at Pennachio Eye

Dry eye can be extremely frustrating. At Pennachio Eye, Dr. Moumneh specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye, helping patients find lasting relief.
With a thorough examination and personalized treatment options, we’ll work with you to identify the cause of your discomfort and create a plan that gets you back to comfortable, clear vision.

Why Choose Pennachio Eye for Dry Eye Care

• Patient-first philosophy since 2017 means your comfort and results always come before anything else.
• Hand-selected team of experienced professionals ensures every interaction, from scheduling to treatment, exceeds your expectations.
• Personalized treatment plans designed around your unique symptoms, lifestyle, and goals for the best possible outcomes
• Advanced treatment technologies like TearCare and Lacrifill provide effective alternatives when eye drops aren’t enough.
• Two convenient locations in Clermont and Eustis make it easy to get the care you need close to home.
• Small-practice attention combined with cutting-edge technology delivers the best of both worlds: advanced care with a personal touch.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye develops when your eyes fail to produce adequate tears or when the tears lack proper quality. Tears play a vital role in maintaining eye health and comfort. They have the important role of lubricating the surface, clearing away debris, and defending against infection. Any disruption to this delicate system triggers dry eye symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye

There are several signs that may indicate dry eye:
• Burning or stinging sensations
• Itching and irritation
• Redness and inflammation
• Gritty sensation, as though sand or debris is trapped under your eyelid
• Intermittent blurred vision
• Fatigue during reading or computer work
• Paradoxical excessive tearing as your eyes attempt to compensate for insufficient moisture

These symptoms often worsen throughout the day or intensify in dry environments, during prolonged screen use, or in air-conditioned spaces. A comprehensive examination can identify the root cause and guide appropriate treatment.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Multiple factors often contribute to the development of dry eye. First and foremost is aging. The natural aging process gradually decreases the body’s ability to produce adequate tears, leaving many older adults vulnerable to symptoms.

Also, common medications, particularly antihistamines and blood pressure treatments, interfere with tear production as an unintended side effect that can cause dry eye symptoms. Too much time looking at digital screens creates additional challenges, as it dramatically reduces blink frequency. Without regular blinking, tears fail to distribute evenly across the ocular surface, leading to dry patches and discomfort.

Your surroundings also affect your tears. Dry climates, air conditioning, heating systems, and wind all cause tears to evaporate faster. That’s why your eyes might feel worse in certain seasons or when you’re indoors with the heat or AC running.

Finding out what’s causing your dry eye helps your eye doctor choose treatments that will actually work for you.

How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

The right diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. During your evaluation, Dr. Moumneh will examine your tear quality, how fast your tears evaporate, whether you have inflammation, and how your oil glands are functioning. This detailed look helps him understand exactly what’s going wrong with your tears.

Your appointment starts with questions about your symptoms. We will want to know when your eyes bother you most and what makes them feel worse. Dr. Moumneh will ask about your medications and health conditions, which often affect your tears.

He’ll also want to know about your daily routine, including screen time, contact lens wear, and your work environment, as all of these factors matter. During the exam, he’ll check how much tears you produce, look at your eye surface, and examine the oil glands in your eyelids.

Not all dry eye is the same. Some people don’t make enough tears. Others make plenty of tears, but they evaporate too fast because the oil glands in their eyelids aren’t working well. Some have both problems. Inflammation can make any of these worse.

Figuring out which mechanisms are at play in your case lets Dr. Moumneh recommend treatments that target your specific problem, delivering better results and faster relief than generic solutions that don’t address your actual needs.

What Treatment Options Are Available

Pennachio Eye offers several advanced treatments for dry eye, and Dr. Moumneh selects the best options based on what your examination reveals about your condition.

Lacrifill

Lacrifill is an innovative punctal occlusion gel that provides long-lasting relief from dry eye. Unlike traditional punctal plugs, Lacrifill is a biocompatible hydrogel that is gently injected into the tear ducts in your eyelids.

Once in place, it absorbs fluid and expands to create a soft, natural barrier that blocks tear drainage, helping keep your eyes lubricated throughout the day.

The procedure is quick, comfortable, and performed right in our office. The gel naturally integrates with your tear duct tissue and can last for months. Many patients notice improvement almost immediately.

TearCare

TearCare is an innovative treatment system designed to address dry eye caused by problems with the oil-producing glands in your eyelids. These glands, called meibomian glands, produce oils that prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When they become blocked, dry eye can result.

TearCare uses gentle heat and massage to open blocked glands and restore their normal function. The treatment is comfortable and allows you to keep your eyes open during the procedure, so you can blink naturally. Most patients find the experience relaxing, and many notice improvement in their symptoms after just one treatment.

Prescription Medications

For some patients, prescription medications offer the best solution. These medications work in different ways depending on the underlying cause of your dry eye. Some help reduce inflammation on the surface of the eye, while others help your eyes produce more tears or improve tear quality.

Dr. Moumneh will discuss which prescription options might be right for you based on your examination findings and symptom severity.

Combination Approaches

Often, the most effective dry eye treatment involves combining different approaches. For example, you might benefit from both punctal plugs and prescription medication, or from TearCare treatment along with other therapies.

Dr. Moumneh will create a comprehensive treatment plan designed specifically for your needs, and we’ll adjust your treatment over time to ensure you’re getting the best possible results.

Schedule Your Dry Eye Consultation Today

You don’t have to live with the discomfort of dry eye. Relief is possible, and we’re here to help you find it.

Schedule an appointment at Pennachio Eye in Clermont or Eustis, FL, today!