If your eyes constantly feel dry, gritty, irritated, or like something is stuck in them, you're not imagining things — and you're not alone. Dry eye disease is one of the most common conditions we treat at Elite Eyecare, Nashville's trusted eye clinic at 5300 Centennial Blvd. The good news? Relief is closer than you think.
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don't produce enough tears, or when the tears they do produce evaporate too quickly. Your tear film is made up of three layers — oil, water, and mucus — and a problem with any one of them can leave your eyes uncomfortable and your vision blurry.
It's more than just an annoyance. Left untreated, chronic dry eye can damage the surface of your eye and affect your quality of life, making it harder to read, drive, work at a computer, or wear contact lenses comfortably.
Dry eye doesn't always feel like what you'd expect. Patients at our Nashville dry eye clinic often describe symptoms including:
If any of these sound familiar, it's worth getting evaluated by an eye doctor who can get to the root cause.
Dry eye has many triggers, and identifying yours is the key to effective treatment. At Elite Eyecare, Dr. Nathan Lipe, OD takes time to understand your lifestyle and symptoms before recommending a treatment plan. Common causes include:
There's no one-size-fits-all solution for dry eye, which is why personalized care makes such a big difference. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Lipe may recommend one or more of the following:
Artificial Tears & Lubricating DropsFor mild cases, the right over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can provide meaningful relief. We'll help you choose a formula that matches your tear film deficiency — not just the one with the best marketing.
Prescription TreatmentsMedications like Restasis or Xiidra address the inflammation that underlies many cases of chronic dry eye. These are long-term treatments that help your eyes produce healthier tears over time.
In-Office Dry Eye TherapiesFor patients with meibomian gland dysfunction or more persistent symptoms, in-office treatments can provide relief that drops alone can't. Dr. Lipe will discuss whether these options are appropriate for you during your visit.
Lifestyle & Environmental ChangesSometimes the most impactful changes are behavioral. We'll give you practical guidance — from blinking exercises and screen habits to humidity adjustments and diet changes — that can dramatically reduce your symptoms.
Contact Lens AdjustmentsIf your dry eye is aggravated by contact lens wear, switching lens materials, wearing schedule, or solution type may resolve the issue without giving up contacts altogether. Our team specializes in contact lens fittings in Nashville and can find the right match for your eyes.
At Elite Eyecare, we don't rush through appointments. Our patients consistently tell us they appreciate the time Dr. Lipe takes to explain what's going on and what their options are — something that's hard to find at big-box vision centers.
We're conveniently located in West Nashville, easy to get to from The Nations, Sylvan Park, Belle Meade, and beyond. We're currently accepting new patients, and same-week appointments are often available.
With 162 five-star Google reviews and counting, we've earned the trust of the Nashville community — and we'd love to help you see and feel better.
You don't have to live with uncomfortable eyes. Whether you've been dealing with dry eye for years or you're just starting to notice symptoms, an evaluation at Elite Eyecare is the first step toward lasting relief.
Call us at (615) 249-4926 or book your appointment online — your eyes will thank you.
Elite Eyecare is located at 5300 Centennial Blvd, Suite 107, Nashville, TN 37209. We provide comprehensive eye exams, dry eye treatment, contact lens fittings, same day glasses, and more for patients throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
