Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why isn’t your dry eye treatment working? Dry eye disease is often more complicated than simply needing better eye drops. In this episode, Joseph Allen, OD sits down with dry eye specialist Dr. Laura Periman, MD to explain why treatment can fall short—and what may actually be happening beneath the surface.
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease. Symptoms can be connected to tear-film problems, inflammation, eyelid health, meibomian gland dysfunction, Demodex mites, medication use, environmental triggers, and other underlying conditions. That means a treatment plan that works for one person may not work for someone else with chronic dry eye or severe dry eyes.
Dr. Periman discusses:
- Why common dry eye treatments sometimes fail to address the root cause
- The limitations of artificial tears and generalized dry eye advice
- How meibomian gland dysfunction contributes to dry eye symptoms
- When meibomian gland expression may be considered
- The role of IPL dry eye treatment and other in-office therapies
-Which dry eye treatments, supplements, and home remedies may be over-emphasized or overhyped
- Why some patients continue to experience burning, irritation, grittiness, fluctuating vision, or watery eyes
- What new dry eye treatments and research may be on the horizon
If you have been searching for dry eye treatment, dry eye disease treatment, dry eye treatment at home, or answers for chronic dry eye that will not improve, this conversation offers a deeper look at why dry eye care requires a more individualized approach.
Link to Dr Periman's ProBiotic Green Smoothie Recipe!
doctoreyehealth.com/green-smoothie
Subscribe to Doctor Eye Health for weekly videos about dry eye, eye health, vision, and evidence-based treatment options.
Leave a comment with your questions about dry eye disease or treatments that have—and have not—worked for you.
Visit doctoreyehealth.com for trusted eye health resources, educational articles, and more information from Dr. Joseph Allen.
Learn more about Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
youtu.be/yDvYs6oA7dw?si=m9lcdOrWECGMs75-
Timestamps
00:00 Why most dry eye treatments fail
04:00 Why dry eye disease is difficult to treat
08:25 Understanding meibomian gland dysfunction
17:45 Can damaged meibomian glands recover?
21:40 IPL, radiofrequency, and new treatment technologies
25:40 How inflammation damages the ocular surface
32:20 Corneal nerves and chronic dry eye
37:15 PRP vs. autologous serum tears
41:00 Eyelid hygiene, the microbiome, and doxycycline
50:00 Makeup, skincare, retinol, and dry eye
55:00 The future of dry eye treatment
Key Takeaways
💎 Dry eye disease is multifactorial, meaning several underlying causes may need to be identified and addressed.
💎 Meibomian gland dysfunction can involve inflammation, bacteria, skin disease, incomplete blinking, and blocked oil glands.
💎 Healthy corneal nerves, proper blinking, and a balanced eyelid microbiome help maintain a stable tear film.
💎 Dry eye care is becoming more targeted and personalized, with emerging treatments focused on restoring gland function, nerve health, and the ocular surface.
Want to learn more about dry eye? Check out these helpful videos:
Omega 3 Fish Oil for Dry Eyes: How Much to Take, How to Test & Best Sources youtube.com/live/CswvVUpP4nM
What Causes Dry Eyes? Dry Eye Syndrome Explained youtu.be/SKqfXe4kPOU
Red Light Therapy for Dry Eyes youtu.be/eTB6RGYQbTI
When Dry Eye Turns Into Chronic Eye Pain - Expert Discussion youtu.be/BjhbnG6kN_s
About Dr. Laura Periman
Laura Periman, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and internationally recognized dry eye specialist. She is known for treating complex ocular surface disease and treatment-resistant dry eye while helping advance innovative therapies through research and clinical practice. Her work focuses on restoring ocular surface health by addressing inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, nerve health, and the eyelid microbiome.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauraperiman
Website: dryeyemaster.com/about-laura-periman
Resources Mentioned
Website: Doctor Eye Health doctoreyehealth.com
YouTube: Doctor Eye Health youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealth
Instagram: @doctoreyehealth instagram.com/doctoreyehealth
TikTok: Doctor Eye Health tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealth
Facebook: Doctor Eye Health facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealth
LinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen linkedin.com
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your eye doctor or healthcare professional regarding concerns about your vision or eye health.
#DryEye #DryEyeTreatment #DryEyeDisease #MeibomianGlandDysfunction #EyeHealth
Why isn’t your dry eye treatment working? Dry eye disease is often more complicated than simply needing better eye drops. In this episode, Joseph Allen, OD sits down with dry eye specialist Dr. Laura Periman, MD to explain why treatment can fall short—and what may actually be happening beneath the surface.
Dry eye is a multifactorial disease. Symptoms can be connected to tear-film problems, inflammation, eyelid health, meibomian gland dysfunction, Demodex mites, medication use, environmental triggers, and other underlying conditions. That means a treatment plan that works for one person may not work for someone else with chronic dry eye or severe dry eyes.
Dr. Periman discusses:
- Why common dry eye treatments sometimes fail to address the root cause
- The limitations of artificial tears and generalized dry eye advice
- How meibomian gland dysfunction contributes to dry eye symptoms
- When meibomian gland expression may be considered
- The role of IPL dry eye treatment and other in-office therapies
-Which dry eye treatments, supplements, and home remedies may be over-emphasized or overhyped
- Why some patients continue to experience burning, irritation, grittiness, fluctuating vision, or watery eyes
- What new dry eye treatments and research may be on the horizon
If you have been searching for dry eye treatment, dry eye disease treatment, dry eye treatment at home, or answers for chronic dry eye that will not improve, this conversation offers a deeper look at why dry eye care requires a more individualized approach.
Link to Dr Periman's ProBiotic Green Smoothie Recipe!
doctoreyehealth.com/green-smoothie
Subscribe to Doctor Eye Health for weekly videos about dry eye, eye health, vision, and evidence-based treatment options.
Leave a comment with your questions about dry eye disease or treatments that have—and have not—worked for you.
Visit doctoreyehealth.com for trusted eye health resources, educational articles, and more information from Dr. Joseph Allen.
Learn more about Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
youtu.be/yDvYs6oA7dw?si=m9lcdOrWECGMs75-
Timestamps
00:00 Why most dry eye treatments fail
04:00 Why dry eye disease is difficult to treat
08:25 Understanding meibomian gland dysfunction
17:45 Can damaged meibomian glands recover?
21:40 IPL, radiofrequency, and new treatment technologies
25:40 How inflammation damages the ocular surface
32:20 Corneal nerves and chronic dry eye
37:15 PRP vs. autologous serum tears
41:00 Eyelid hygiene, the microbiome, and doxycycline
50:00 Makeup, skincare, retinol, and dry eye
55:00 The future of dry eye treatment
Key Takeaways
💎 Dry eye disease is multifactorial, meaning several underlying causes may need to be identified and addressed.
💎 Meibomian gland dysfunction can involve inflammation, bacteria, skin disease, incomplete blinking, and blocked oil glands.
💎 Healthy corneal nerves, proper blinking, and a balanced eyelid microbiome help maintain a stable tear film.
💎 Dry eye care is becoming more targeted and personalized, with emerging treatments focused on restoring gland function, nerve health, and the ocular surface.
Want to learn more about dry eye? Check out these helpful videos:
Omega 3 Fish Oil for Dry Eyes: How Much to Take, How to Test & Best Sources youtube.com/live/CswvVUpP4nM
What Causes Dry Eyes? Dry Eye Syndrome Explained youtu.be/SKqfXe4kPOU
Red Light Therapy for Dry Eyes youtu.be/eTB6RGYQbTI
When Dry Eye Turns Into Chronic Eye Pain - Expert Discussion youtu.be/BjhbnG6kN_s
About Dr. Laura Periman
Laura Periman, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and internationally recognized dry eye specialist. She is known for treating complex ocular surface disease and treatment-resistant dry eye while helping advance innovative therapies through research and clinical practice. Her work focuses on restoring ocular surface health by addressing inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, nerve health, and the eyelid microbiome.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauraperiman
Website: dryeyemaster.com/about-laura-periman
Resources Mentioned
Website: Doctor Eye Health doctoreyehealth.com
YouTube: Doctor Eye Health youtube.com/@DoctorEyeHealth
Instagram: @doctoreyehealth instagram.com/doctoreyehealth
TikTok: Doctor Eye Health tiktok.com/@doctoreyehealth
Facebook: Doctor Eye Health facebook.com/DoctorEyeHealth
LinkedIn: Dr. Joseph Allen linkedin.com
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your eye doctor or healthcare professional regarding concerns about your vision or eye health.
#DryEye #DryEyeTreatment #DryEyeDisease #MeibomianGlandDysfunction #EyeHealth
