Find a dry eye specialist
The treatments that work best for stubborn dry eye happen in a clinic. Tell us where you are and what you’ve tried, and we’ll connect you with a vetted clinic that tests before it treats.
Request an introduction
Takes about a minute. We’re adding clinics city by city, and we’ll email you as soon as a vetted clinic near you joins. Not yet available in Washington or Nevada.
How we vet clinics
We only partner with clinics that test before they treat. Every clinic in our network must:
- Measure your tear film before recommending treatment, with tests such as break-up time, osmolarity and gland imaging
- Offer more than one treatment, so your plan fits you and not the machine they own
- Give a written plan with timelines and total costs up front
- Be led by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist
Partner clinics pay Symvana a flat monthly fee, which keeps this service free for you. We only introduce you to clinics that meet these standards, we’ll always tell you which clinic before we share anything, and payments never change the evidence grades on our site. Read our disclosure.
What a dry eye specialist does differently
A routine eye exam checks your vision and eye health. A dry eye evaluation goes much deeper into the tear film itself.
Measures
Tests how long your tear film lasts, how salty your tears are and how your oil glands look on infrared imaging. Many clinics also check for eyelid mites.
Diagnoses the type
Works out whether the oil layer, the water layer or both are failing, and what’s driving it, from inflammation to medications.
Treats the cause
Uses prescription drops and in-office treatments such as IPL or thermal pulsation, then measures again to check progress.
Can’t wait? Finding one yourself
Search for “dry eye clinic” or “dry eye specialist” with your city, then look at each clinic’s website for signs that it takes dry eye seriously: named diagnostic tests such as meibography or tear osmolarity, more than one in-office treatment, and clear information about costs.
Before you book, call and ask what a dry eye evaluation includes and what it costs. A good clinic will answer both clearly.
Questions to ask at your first visit
Which type of dry eye do I have, and how do you know? What will you measure to tell whether treatment is working? What does the whole plan cost? What happens if it doesn’t help?
Questions
Is this service free?
Yes, it’s free for patients. Clinics in our network pay Symvana a flat monthly fee to be part of it, which is how we keep the site and tools free.
What happens after I submit the form?
When a vetted clinic near you is part of our network, we’ll email you to say which clinic it is before we share anything. Then we pass on the details you gave us so the clinic can contact you. You decide whether to book, and you can ask us not to share your details at any point.
Why isn’t this available in Washington or Nevada?
Those states have health data laws that require a more detailed, signed authorization before health information can be shared with a clinic that pays for introductions. Until we offer that, we don’t accept requests from those states. The guide above explains how to find a good clinic yourself.
Do I need a referral to see a dry eye specialist?
Usually not. Most optometrists and many ophthalmologists see patients directly. Some insurance plans require referrals for specialists, so check yours.
Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?
Both can diagnose and treat dry eye, and many dedicated dry eye clinics are run by optometrists. For severe disease or complications, an ophthalmologist who specializes in the cornea may be involved.