Dry Eye Treatment
Burning, gritty, watery, tired eyes. Trouble wearing contacts. Vision that blurs the longer you stare at a screen. Dry eye disease is one of the most common — and most underdiagnosed — eye conditions, affecting millions of Americans. At Rhode Eyeland, we help patients in North Kingstown and across South County identify what is driving their dry eye and build a treatment plan that actually works.
Aging, especially after age 40
Hormonal changes (menopause, thyroid conditions)
Long screen time and reduced blinking
Contact lens wear
Medications — antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs
Autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis
LASIK or cataract surgery
Environmental factors — dry air, wind, the famous Rhode Island winters
Common causes of dry eye
“My eyes water all the time” — paradoxically, this is often dry eye
“It feels like sand in my eye”
Stinging, burning, or itching
Blurred vision that improves when you blink
Light sensitivity
Fatigue from reading or computer work
Redness that comes and goes
Symptoms patients describe
We start with a careful conversation and a dry eye-focused exam, looking at tear quality, tear quantity, and the meibomian glands in your eyelids. Treatment is rarely one-size-fits-all — most patients benefit from a layered approach combining artificial tears, lid hygiene, prescription anti-inflammatory drops, omega-3 supplementation, punctal plugs, amniotic membranes and lifestyle adjustments. For more advanced cases, we discuss additional treatment options and coordinate with rheumatology or primary care when systemic causes are suspected.
Our approach
FAQs
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No — it is a chronic and progressive disease, however, it is manageable.
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For mild cases, sometimes. For most patients they help symptoms but do not address the underlying cause.
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Many patients notice meaningful improvement within a few weeks of starting a tailored plan, with continued gains over 2–3 months.
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Yes — dry eye is a medical diagnosis, billed under your medical insurance.
“Excellent, expert treatment. Dr Boisvert took time in her careful exam to reveal a previously undetected condition, fortunately treatable. Very professional support staff, too!”
Book a dry eye consultation
Call to make an appointment
(401) 262-0042
