Dry Eye & MGD Treatment in Atlanta & Decatur | Advanced Relief at Intown Dry Eye Care
Finding the Best Treatments for Your Dry Eyes
Achieving lasting relief for your dry eyes starts with knowing the root causes!
Many patients are told to use over-the-counter artificial tears, which may offer temporary comfort but don’t address the root cause of the issue. Properly diagnosing the underlying cause of your ocular surface disease is crucial for prescribing an effective, targeted treatment.
At Intown Dry Eye Care, we take the time to diagnose the unique cause(s) of your dry eyes. This level of advanced, specialized dry eye care has been hard to find in Intown Atlanta. Patients travel from Decatur, Druid Hills, Midtown Atlanta, Brookhaven, Virginia Highlands, and surrounding neighborhoods for advanced dry eye diagnostics and personalized treatment plans.
We offer advanced services that go beyond your standard vision exam, including testing and treatments that are seldom found in your routine eye doctor’s office. Because of our specialized care format, we can take the time necessary to uncover your specific ocular surface needs. You will experience clearer vision and improved ocular health after treating your dry eyes (whether or not you wear glasses or contact lenses), both changes that your routine eye care provider will appreciate at your next annual visit! Collaborating as a team, our goal is to combine our expertise to deliver the best possible care and improve your eye health.
Referring Providers & Co-Management
We work closely with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other healthcare providers throughout the Atlanta area to support patients with complex Dry Eye Disease, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), Demodex blepharitis, and ocular surface disease.
How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
Using advanced tools, we assess your unique dry eye profile. Our evaluations include:
Antares Advanced Tear Film Analysis & Report – Comprehensive imaging of your tear film that includes photos & videos of your eyes.
Dynamic Tear Break-Up Time – Measures the evaporation rate of your tears.
Tear Meniscus Measurements – Assesses your rate of tear production.
Vital Dyes – Identifies corneal and ocular surface damage from dryness.
Corneal Sensitivity Testing – Evaluates nerve function in the eye.
Antares Meibography (Meibomian gland imaging) – Checks for gland blockages affecting oil flow.
Treatments We Offer
Treating dry eye requires a personalized approach. We offer a variety of solutions to restore comfort and protect your vision. Dr. Udell will create a custom plan for your specific needs.
Thermal Mask – Helps liquefy and unclog oil glands.
Cleansers – Safe removal of bacteria, debris, and makeup from your lashes and lids
Rinsada Ocular Surface Irrigation – An in-office procedure to remove allergens and bacteria from your tear biofilm.
NuLids In-Office Eyelid Cleansing – Deep cleanses the eyelid margins.
Nutraceuticals & Omega-3 Supplements – Supports tear production and reduces inflammation.
TearCare Thermal Evacuation – Melts clogged oils and clears your glands.
Punctal Occlusion – Helps retain natural tears by slowing drainage.
Lumenis OptiLight Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – Treats inflammation and improves oil gland function.
Lumenis OptiLift - Radiofrequency & Dynamic Muscle Stimulation therapy to melt meibum and restore your blink function
Prescription Pharmaceuticals – Targeted medications for inflammation, tear stabilization, and/or mite eradication.
Ocular Wellness & Lifestyle Support
Long-term dry eye relief extends beyond treatment—it involves lifestyle changes too. We’ll guide you on:
Sleep Hygiene – Prioritizing proper rest for eye health.
Stress & Anxiety Reduction – Managing stress levels to minimize inflammation.
Nutrition & Hydration – Optimizing diet for tear production.
Beauty & Skincare Practices – Choosing eye-friendly makeup and products. We have selected Epionce Skincare for its clinically proven, botanically based approach to skin barrier repair and long-term skin health.
Mindful Device Use – Reducing screen strain with proper blinking techniques.
Ready to Find the Right Dry Eye Treatment?
Every case of Dry Eye Disease is different. A comprehensive evaluation helps identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and determine which treatments may be most effective for your eyes.
Lumenis OptiLight IPL Dry Eye Treatment
Lumenis, the pioneers behind Intense Pulsed Light technology, has designed the first and only FDA-approved IPL treatment for Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). Our practice utilizes this OptiLight device to deliver precise, intense, broad-spectrum light to relieve your dry eye symptoms. Treatment with the OptiLight focuses on reducing inflammation. Designed with OPT™ technology, OptiLight safely and effectively treats the sensitive areas around the eyes with gentle precision.
Want to Know More about our Treatments?
Stop the Vicious Cycle of Dry Eye Inflammation
with OptiLight IPL treatments
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Reduce Inflammatory Mediators
Decrease the level of pro-inflammatory mediators to inhibit inflammation.
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Improve Tear Breakup Time
Significantly boost tear break up time and decrease osmolarity.
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Alleviate Abnormal Blood Vessels
Destroy the abnormal blood vessels that perpetuate inflammation.
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Restore Meibomian Glands
Improve meibomian gland morphology and functionality.
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Decrease Demodex
Decrease the population of Demodex mites, which stimulate infection and boost the bacterial load on eyelids.
Lumenis OptiLift for Blink Function, Dry Eye & Eyelid Rejuvenation
OptiLift combines these two technologies into one simple treatment.
Aging weakens periorbital muscles, often leading to eyelid laxity, reduced tone, and impaired blinking. OptiLIFT’s Dynamic Muscle Stimulation (DMSt) activates muscle contractions, enhances tone, and addresses both the function and appearance of the lower eyelids.
Radiofrequency (RF) is used to help restore proper function of the Meibomian Glands by heating to melt clogged oils.
Tone The Muscles To Address Lower Lid Laxity and Impaired Blinking with OptiLift DMSt + RF treatments
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Improve Blinking & Lower Lid Support
Strengthens periorbital muscles to support lid position and restore effective blinking. -
Dynamic Muscle Stimulation
Electrical pulses activate facial muscles to create controlled contractions and improve function. -
Designed for the Eye Area
Precision applicator is tailored for delicate periorbital contours. -
Clinically Validated & Safe
Proven, non-invasive technology designed for consistent, reliable results. -
Tone & Tighten
Stimulates and firms periorbital muscles to address natural aging and laxity.
TearCare
Using SmartLid technology to provide targeted relief for MGD, TearCare is a thermal pulsation and evacuation device designed to melt the clogged oils in your Meibomian Glands. This treatment restores the oil layer of your tears. Relief is expected to last for 6-12 months.
Rinsada Ocular Irrigation
When you do not produce enough tears, your eyelids trap inflammation, pollutants, and allergens on your ocular surface. Rinsada uses high-pressure saline targeted underneath the eyelid- in the deep recess called the fornix- where normal rinsing cannot reach. With the use of Rinsada, Dr. Udell can reset your ocular surface biofilm to a healthy, natural state.
Lid Cleansing
Many ocular surface issues, such as dry eyes or red eyes, stem from the eyelids. This is because dirt, bacteria, mites, and debris (also known as biofilm) build up on the lid margin over time. Most people don't clean their eyelids daily, and even with regular eyelid hygiene, removing the biofilm is challenging. The NuLidsPro cleaning device is a clinically proven procedure performed by eye care professionals. It's similar to a deep teeth cleaning done at your dentist’s office to remove tartar buildup, targeting and removing biofilm that can't be eliminated through regular cleaning. You can also take home a personal NuLids device for continued maintenance.
Amniotic Membranes, Serum Tears, & Platelet Rich Plasmas
Although different from one another in style and substance, all of these options utilize growth factors to help speed up healing of the ocular surface.
Punctal plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts, used to treat dry eyes by slowing or stopping the drainage of tears. They can relieve burning, itching, and redness by keeping tears on the eye surface.
Nutraceuticals
Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish and some plants, help our bodies reduce inflammation. These nutrients also keep our meibum, the oily material that prevents our tears from evaporating too quickly, functioning properly. Unfortunately, the typical U.S. diet does not include enough Omega-3 fatty acids on its own. Taking doctor-recommended nutraceuticals can help keep your tears healthy in a more efficient way than those commercially available at the drug store.
Epionce Skin Barrier Repair & Ocular Wellness
Epionce is a prescription-strength skincare line designed to support skin barrier health, reduce visible signs of aging, and improve overall skin function without unnecessary irritation. Developed by dermatologist Dr. Carl Thornfeldt, Epionce combines natural, botanical ingredients with clinically-proven formulations to help calm inflammation, restore hydration, and promote healthier, more resilient skin.
We carefully selected Epionce products to complement our in-office treatments and to support long-term skin health through a gentle, restorative, and results-driven approach.
Epionce products may be especially beneficial for patients experiencing inflammation-prone skin, ocular rosacea, dryness, redness, or sensitivity around the eyes.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re experiencing burning, tearing, fluctuating vision, eyelid irritation, MGD, ocular rosacea, or chronic dry eye symptoms, Dr. Erica Udell can help identify the underlying causes and create a personalized treatment plan.
Proudly Serving the Atlanta Area
Intown Dry Eye Care provides advanced dry eye diagnostics, MGD treatment, IPL therapy, ocular surface disease care, and dry eye treatment for patients across Atlanta, including Decatur, Druid Hills, North Druid Hills, Virginia Highlands, Midtown, Buckhead, East Atlanta, Reynoldstown, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Explore Our Full Range of Dry Eye, Ocular Wellness & Facial Aesthetic Services
In addition to advanced diagnostics and treatment technologies, Intown Dry Eye Care offers ocular wellness support, preventative care, and non-invasive facial aesthetic treatments designed to improve both eye health and overall comfort.
