Chronic dry eye can cause burning, stinging, redness, watering, blurry vision, and a gritty feeling that makes daily tasks uncomfortable. For many patients, the issue is not simply a lack of tears. It is often related to poor tear quality, especially when the oil layer of the tear film is not working properly.

At Raleigh Eye Center in Raleigh, NC, we use advanced diagnostic tools to better understand what is causing dry eye symptoms and how to manage them more effectively.
 

Why The Meibomian Glands Matter

The meibomian glands are tiny oil glands located along the eyelids. Their job is to release oils that help keep tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become clogged or stop working well, the tear film can become unstable, leading to evaporative dry eye.

This condition is known as meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, and it is one of the most common contributors to chronic dry eye.
 

What LipiView® Does

LipiView® is a diagnostic technology that helps our eye doctors evaluate the quality of the tear film and assess the health of the meibomian glands. Instead of relying only on symptoms, LipiView® gives us detailed information about how well the oil layer of your tears is functioning.

This can help us determine whether MGD is contributing to your dry eye and whether additional treatment may be needed to improve tear stability.
 

Signs LipiView® May Be Helpful

A LipiView® evaluation may be recommended if you have ongoing dry eye symptoms that do not improve with basic home care or over-the-counter eye drops.

Common signs that may point to an issue with tear film quality include:

• Burning, stinging, or scratchy eyes
• Watery eyes that still feel dry
• Blurry vision that comes and goes
• Discomfort with contact lenses
• Redness or eyelid irritation
• Symptoms that worsen with screen use, wind, or dry environments

How LipiView® Supports Better Treatment Planning

One of the biggest benefits of LipiView® is that it helps guide a more personalized dry eye treatment plan. Chronic dry eye can have different causes, so the right approach depends on what we find during your evaluation.

If LipiView® shows that the oil layer of your tear film is compromised, our eye doctor may recommend treatments that focus on restoring meibomian gland function. This may include in-office therapies such as LipiFlow®, along with supportive home care, lifestyle adjustments, or other dry eye treatments based on your needs.
 

LipiView® And LipiFlow® Working Together

LipiView® helps us identify whether the meibomian glands are part of the problem, while LipiFlow® is designed to help treat blocked glands by using controlled heat and gentle pressure. Together, these technologies allow us to take a more targeted approach to evaporative dry eye instead of only treating symptoms on the surface.

For patients with chronic dry eye in Raleigh, this can make a meaningful difference in long-term comfort and eye health.
 

Getting Help For Chronic Dry Eye In Raleigh

Dry eye is not something you have to simply live with. If your symptoms keep returning or your eyes never feel fully comfortable, a diagnostic dry eye evaluation can help us identify the underlying cause and recommend the next step.

For dry eye care with Raleigh Eye Center in Raleigh, NC, contact our office by calling (919) 876-2427.