Dr. Belliveau will diagnose and treat dry eye disease (DED), a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. The doctor’s role includes:

• Identifying the cause (evaporative vs. aqueous-deficient dry eye).
• Providing personalized treatment to relieve symptoms and improve tear film health.
• Monitoring for complications like inflammation or corneal damage.
• Educating patients on lifestyle changes to manage dry eye symptoms.

The doctor will perform several tests to evaluate tear quality and eye surface health:

• Patient History & Symptom Assessment – Discussion of eye discomfort, burning, redness, light sensitivity, and vision fluctuations.
• Slit-Lamp Examination – Uses a microscope to inspect tear film, eyelids, and cornea for signs of dryness or damage.
• Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) Test – Assesses how quickly tears evaporate.
• Schirmer’s Test – Measures tear production by placing a thin strip of paper under the eyelid.
• Meibomian Gland Evaluation – Checks for gland blockages in the eyelids that contribute to evaporative dry eye.
• Fluorescein or Lissamine Green Staining – Special dyes highlight dry spots or damage on the cornea and conjunctiva.

Since dry eye is a chronic condition, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving tear stability. This may include artificial tears and lubricating drops, prescription medications, in-office procedures, and lifestyle/environmental changes.