If your eyes feel persistently gritty, burning, watery, or uncomfortable, you may be experiencing dry eye disease—one of the most common yet frequently misunderstood eye conditions. Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the quality of your tears is insufficient to properly lubricate the eye’s surface. Left untreated, dry eye can damage the eye’s tissues and cause blurred or fluctuating vision that affects your daily life. Symptoms often worsen with age, but can also result from certain medications, underlying health conditions, or injuries.
At Cornerstone Eye Associates, our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists bring decades of combined experience diagnosing and treating dry eye in Rochester and Victor, NY. We combine advanced diagnostic tools with the latest evidence-based treatments to deliver personalized care you can trust—because when it comes to your vision, experience and expertise matter.
How to Prevent Dry Eyes
While dry eye cannot always be prevented, it can be effectively controlled before serious damage occurs. Non-surgical approaches include blinking exercises, using a humidifier at home or work, and applying artificial tears or moisturizing ointments regularly.
If these methods don’t provide sufficient relief, small punctal plugs can be placed in the corners of the eyes to slow tear drainage, or the drainage ducts may be surgically closed. Topical medications such as Restasis can also help stimulate natural tear production.
Dry Eye Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Cornerstone Eye Associates uses the TearLab Osmolarity System® to measure the salt content of your tears—a key indicator of tear film health. This advanced technology allows our doctors to assess dry eye severity and track your progress before, during, and after treatment, ensuring your care plan is always optimized for the best results.
Dry Eye Treatments
Cornerstone Eye Associates offers a comprehensive range of dry eye treatments tailored to your individual needs. Many of our doctors specialize in dry eye disease and are committed to finding the most effective solution for you. We offer a full selection of therapeutic drops and recommend Bruder & Derm™ moist-heat masks, along with the advanced in-office procedures listed below.
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into the natural drainage ducts of your eyelids. By gently slowing tear drainage, they help your eyes retain natural moisture longer—reducing burning, irritation, and dryness. The procedure is quick and comfortable, performed right in our office. Most patients notice meaningful improvement shortly after treatment with little to no downtime.
Prokera®
Prokera® is a therapeutic device made from natural amniotic membrane tissue that promotes healing of the eye’s surface and reduces inflammation. Placed in the eye like a contact lens, it calms irritation and restores a healthier tear film—making it especially effective for moderate to severe dry eye. The device is applied and removed in-office after 3–5 days, with many patients reporting noticeably clearer, more comfortable vision.
CAM360 AmnioGraft™
CAM360 AmnioGraft™ uses human amniotic membrane tissue—known for its natural healing and anti-inflammatory properties—to treat early-stage dry eye disease and corneal sensitivity. Placed in-office under a collagen shield or bandage contact lens, it remains in place for up to three days. All tissue is donated by consenting, healthy U.S. mothers and meets strict FDA and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) standards.
Why Choose Cornerstone Eye Associates for Dry Eye Care?
When it comes to managing dry eye, the right team makes all the difference. At Cornerstone Eye Associates, we bring together specialized expertise, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and a full spectrum of treatment options—from simple lifestyle changes and drops to advanced biological therapies like Prokera® and CAM360 AmnioGraft™. Our compassionate providers take the time to listen, evaluate, and build a personalized plan that targets the root cause of your symptoms. Patients throughout Rochester and Victor, NY trust us for dry eye care that truly delivers lasting relief.
Don’t let dry eye hold you back. Contact Cornerstone Eye Associates today at (585) 328-0153 to schedule your dry eye consultation and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.
