Advanced relief for dry, irritated, and watery eyes
The Dry Eye Center of Virginia, located inside Eastern Virginia Eye Associates in Chesapeake, focuses on diagnosing the root cause of your dry eye and creating a personalized treatment plan—so you can get back to comfortable, clear vision.
Why patients choose the Dry Eye Center of Virginia
We are more than a general eye clinic that also treats dry eye. Our center is built around complex, chronic cases and patients who are ready for a more advanced, personalized approach.
Nationally recognized expertise
Our doctors are nationally recognized in dry eye care and regularly train other eye doctors on how to perform advanced procedures, giving us deep experience with challenging cases and complex conditions that require specialized expertise.
Specialized services that go beyond standard care
We offer a full suite of advanced technologies—including FDA Approved Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Radio-frequency, NuLids, ZEST, Maskin probing, LLLT, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Autologous Serum and more—many of which are not available in typical eye offices in our region.
Customized, long‑term plans
We conduct a thorough assessment of your unique dry eye condition, considering diagnostic findings, lifestyle, and individual needs. This allows us to develop a precise, personalized treatment plan for effective, long-term relief and recurrence prevention.
A dedicated dry eye center inside Eastern Virginia Eye Associates
The Dry Eye Center of Virginia is a specialty clinic within Eastern Virginia Eye Associates in Chesapeake, VA. Our doctors focus on understanding and treating dry eye disease—from meibomian gland dysfunction and autoimmune‑related dryness to post‑surgical and contact lens–related issues. We combine advanced diagnostics, cutting‑edge treatments, and a Disney‑inspired approach to service to create an experience that feels both highly professional and deeply caring.
Our mission
Restoring comfort, clarity, and quality of life through advanced dry eye care.
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Is this the right place for you?
Your eyes frequently feel dry, burning, gritty, or tired—especially as the day progresses. This persistent discomfort often indicates an unstable or insufficient tear film, leading to a lack of proper lubrication and protection for the eye's surface.
You experience constant watering, yet your eyes still feel dry or irritated. This puzzling symptom is common in dry eye, as excessive watering is often a reflex response to underlying irritation and dryness, rather than effective lubrication.
You've attempted various over-the-counter drops, prescribed medications, or other treatments, only to find temporary or minimal relief. This suggests that previous approaches may not have addressed the specific root cause of your chronic dry eye condition.
Activities like prolonged screen time, wearing contact lenses, or extensive reading consistently worsen your symptoms. These actions can reduce your blink rate, increase tear evaporation, or create friction on the ocular surface, exacerbating dryness and discomfort.
If these experiences resonate with you, don't wait another day in discomfort. True relief is possible! Our dedicated team specializes in uncovering the actual root cause of your dry eye, moving beyond temporary fixes. Take the first step towards lasting comfort and rediscover clear, comfortable vision with a personalized treatment plan designed just for you.
Ready to take the next step?
Share a few details about your symptoms and our team will contact you to schedule a dry eye evaluation.
Advanced treatments tailored to your type of dry eye
Most patients start with a comprehensive dry eye evaluation using advanced imaging and testing. From there, we design a treatment plan that may include light‑based therapies, microblepharoexfoliation, gland procedures, and other advanced options—always tailored to your specific type of dry eye and long‑term comfort goals.
In‑office procedures we may recommend
Lumenis OptiLight IPL
Light‑based treatment that helps reduce inflammation and improve the function of the oil glands in your eyelids.
Lumenis OptiPlus RF
Radiofrequency treatment that gently heats the eyelids to improve oil flow from the meibomian glands.
Micro-blepharoexfoliation
A deep, in‑office cleaning of the eyelid margins to remove debris and biofilm that can block the glands.
Meibomian gland probing and expression
Procedure to open blocked glands and improve the quality of your tear film.
LLLT (Low‑Level Light Therapy)
Gentle light therapy that supports gland function and reduces inflammation.
PRP (Platelet‑Rich Plasma)
Regenerative therapy using your own blood components to support healing on the eye surface in select cases.
Lacrafill
Lacrifill is a canalicular gel that is placed into the tear ducts to reduce tear drainage and keep moisture on the eye surface longer. It's not about stimulating tear production, but rather about preventing tears from draining away too quickly.
Autologous Serum
Autologous serum eye drops are made from a patient's own blood serum, containing natural growth factors for healing and reducing inflammation. They are used for severe dry eye when conventional treatments are insufficient.
Amniotic Membrane
Amniotic membranes use natural healing tissue to promote healing and reduce inflammation. They are primarily used for severe corneal surface damage to support recovery.
Supporting your results at home
Long‑term dry eye control almost always requires a combination of in‑office treatments and at‑home care. We will recommend specific products and routines—such as lid hygiene, heat masks, and prescription or over‑the‑counter drops—based on your evaluation. Recommended at home dry eye products can be found here.
For patients who respond well to treatment, we often recommend monthly or quarterly maintenance visits to help keep symptoms stable over time.
Not sure which treatment is right for you? The first step is a detailed evaluation so we can understand what's causing your symptoms.
Your first visit is focused on understanding your symptoms, your medical and eye history, and the specific changes happening on the surface of your eyes and eyelids. Most patients tell us the evaluation is more detailed than anything they've had before.
Before your evaluation
Bring your current glasses and a list of any eye drops or medications you use. For careful evaluation of your eyelids and lashes, we ask that you do not wear makeup to this evaluation.
Be prepared to share how your symptoms change throughout the day and what makes them better or worse. Most importantly, what does a successful treatment mean to you.
Consider keeping a brief journal of your symptoms leading up to your appointment. Note the times of day they are most noticeable, activities that aggravate them, and any temporary relief measures you've tried.
During your evaluation
Detailed symptom and history review
We'll thoroughly discuss your eye symptoms, their duration, severity, and any alleviating or aggravating factors. This also includes a review of your general health, past medical history, and current medications.
Advanced imaging of your tear film and meibomian glands
We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to capture high-resolution images of your tear film stability, volume, and composition, as well as the structure and function of your meibomian glands. This helps us identify blockages or atrophy contributing to dry eye.
Assessment of your eyelid margins and ocular surface
We carefully examine your eyelid margins for signs of inflammation, crusting, or gland dysfunction, and assess the conjunctiva and cornea for dryness, staining, and other indicators of ocular surface health, using a slit lamp microscope for imaging and videography.
Discussion of potential contributing factors
We'll explore how systemic conditions like autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis), certain skin conditions (e.g., rosacea), various medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants), or a history of ocular surgeries (e.g., LASIK) can significantly impact tear production and overall dry eye severity.
After your evaluation
Comprehensive Results Review
We'll thoroughly review all your diagnostic results in clear, easy-to-understand language, explaining what each test indicates about your dry eye condition.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your assessment, we will outline a tailored treatment plan specifically designed for your needs, lifestyle, and preferences.
Discussion of Options & Outcomes
We'll discuss a range of potential treatment options, from at-home remedies to advanced in-office procedures, including expected timelines, benefits, and costs. We encourage all your questions!
Collaborative Decision-Making
Our aim is to ensure you feel fully informed and confident in making a collaborative decision about the best path forward for your dry eye management.
Request a dry eye evaluation
Complete the form below and our team will contact you to schedule your visit and answer any initial questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Eye Treatment
Below are common questions regarding dry eye treatment. While we cannot create interactive dropdowns in this format, each question and its answer are presented clearly for your convenience.
How long does treatment take?
Treatment duration varies depending on the severity of your condition. It can range from a few weeks to several months, with ongoing maintenance as recommended by your specialist.
Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?
Insurance does not typically cover advanced, preventative or regenerative treatments. Although some dry eye treatments may be covered, a majority of in-office procedures are considered "self-pay" by insurance companies.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your first visit will include a comprehensive history, specialized testing of your glands, imaging and videography of your eyes, specialized diagnostic tests to assess your dry eye condition, and a thorough discussion of your symptoms and medical history to tailor a treatment plan.
Are the treatments painful?
Most dry eye treatments are designed to be minimally invasive and are well-tolerated without the need for anesthetic. We prioritize your comfort and will discuss any potential discomfort and pain management options with you.
How soon will I see results?
Many patients report experiencing relief and improvement in symptoms within a few weeks to months of starting treatment, with continuous enhancement over time. Individual results can vary based on the treatment and severity of dry eye.
Do I need a referral?
A referral is not always required, but it's advisable to check with your insurance company to understand their specific requirements. We welcome both referred and self-referred patients to our clinic.
Location & contact
The Dry Eye Center of Virginia is located inside Eastern Virginia Eye Associates.
Address
1108 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone
757-436-EYES
Email
dryeye@evea2020.com
Copyright 2025 Eastern Virginia Eye Associates, PC