Marina del Rey Optometrist
Dry Eye Treatment
An unhurried evaluation with a licensed optometrist, and a plan discussed with you before anything begins.
Dry Eye Care
Start With An Evaluation
Dry eye is a symptom, not a single condition, and the same complaints can come from very different causes. That is why the visit starts with an evaluation rather than a product. We look at the surface of the eye, the tear film, and the lid margins, and we listen to how the discomfort behaves across your day.
The conversation matters as much as the exam. When symptoms are worst, how long they have been going on, what you have already tried, how many hours you spend on screens, which medications you take, and whether you wear contact lenses all shape what the doctor looks for and what gets discussed at the end of the visit.
You leave with a clear explanation of what we found, options laid out in plain language, and an agreed plan with nothing started before you have said yes to it. If a follow-up makes sense to see whether things are improving, we schedule it before you leave rather than waiting for symptoms to return.
Contributing Factors
What Can Play A Part
Screen time
Blink rate drops sharply during focused screen work, which leaves the surface of the eye exposed for longer between blinks. Long stretches on monitors, phones, and tablets are one of the most common patterns we hear about, and the doctor will ask how your day is structured.
Environment
Air conditioning, ceiling fans, car vents, coastal wind, and dry indoor air all pull moisture from the eye surface faster than it can be replaced. Where you work and how you commute often explains why symptoms are worse on some days than others.
Age & hormones
Tear production and tear composition change over time, and hormonal shifts can change them further. This is one of the factors the doctor reviews in your history, because it helps explain a gradual change in comfort that has no obvious external trigger.
Medications
A number of common medications, including antihistamines, some blood pressure medications, and certain antidepressants, list dryness among their effects. Bring a current list to your visit so the doctor can factor it into the discussion rather than working around a gap.
Contact lens wear
Lens material, replacement schedule, and hours of wear all interact with the tear film. Comfort that has declined over months of wear is worth evaluating, since the fit and the surface of the eye are usually part of the same conversation.
Lids & general health
The lid margins and the glands along them contribute to how the tear film holds together, and several systemic conditions influence the eye surface as well. The doctor examines the lids directly and reviews your general health history with you.
Who It's For
Book An Evaluation If
Dry eye discomfort can come from many everyday factors. If you notice any of the patterns below, an evaluation can help identify what is contributing and how to address it. Bring your current drops and medication list to the visit.
- Burning, stinging, or a gritty feeling
- Eyes water more than they used to
- Discomfort gets worse later in the day
- Vision blurs and clears when you blink
- Eyes feel tired after screen work
- Redness or irritation most mornings
- Contact lenses feel less comfortable than before
- Sensitivity to wind, air conditioning, or light
What To Expect
Your Visit, Step By Step
- 1
History & symptoms
We start with a conversation: when the discomfort shows up, how long it has been happening, what makes it better or worse, what you have already tried, and how it affects work, driving, and reading. Bring your medication list and any drops you currently use.
- 2
Vision & surface check
We confirm your current prescription and check whether vision fluctuates through the day, since blur that clears on a blink points somewhere specific. This also rules out an out-of-date prescription contributing to the eye strain you have been feeling.
- 3
Tear film evaluation
The doctor examines the tear film and the surface of the eye under the slit lamp, looking at how the tears behave between blinks and whether the surface shows signs of exposure. This is the part of the visit that separates similar-sounding complaints.
- 4
Lid & gland examination
The lid margins, lashes, and the glands along the lid are examined closely, because the oily layer of the tear film comes from there. What the doctor finds here often shapes which options are worth discussing and which are not.
- 5
Findings & plan
We walk through what was found in plain language, lay out the options in order, and agree on a starting point together. Nothing begins without your say. If a follow-up is appropriate to check progress, we schedule it before you leave.
Appointments are usually available the same week, and we verify your benefits before you arrive.
Options
Discussed In Order
First Line
Daily habits and lubrication
Most conversations start with the least invasive options: adjusting screen habits and blink breaks, changing the air moving across your face at work and in the car, reviewing hydration and sleep, warm compresses and lid hygiene where the exam supports it, and over-the-counter lubricating drops used on a schedule rather than only when things feel bad. The doctor explains what each one is meant to do, how long to give it before judging, and what improvement should look like. You leave with a written routine and a follow-up visit to review whether it is working.
Next Step
Prescription options and in-office care
If the first approach has had a fair trial and symptoms persist, the doctor revisits the plan with you. Depending on what the examination showed, the discussion may move to prescription therapies aimed at the underlying process, in-office procedures performed at the practice, or supplements and lid-focused treatments. Each option is explained in terms of what it involves, how long it typically takes to show a difference, and what it costs, with your benefits confirmed in advance. Timing matters here, so we agree on a review point rather than leaving it open-ended.
Later Options
Advanced and coordinated care
A smaller number of patients need options considered later in the process, and these are always discussed individually rather than offered from a list. That conversation covers what the option involves, what to expect before and afterward, realistic timelines, and the alternatives you are choosing between. Where a systemic cause or another specialty is involved, we coordinate with your primary care physician or refer to a specialist and stay involved in the follow-up. Nothing proceeds without a full conversation and your agreement first.
At Home
Between Visits
Use drops on a schedule
Lubricating drops work better as a routine than as a rescue. If the doctor recommends them, use them at set points in the day rather than waiting for discomfort, and bring the bottle to your follow-up so we can see what you have been using.
Break up screen time
Look away from the screen periodically and blink fully and deliberately for a few seconds. Lowering your monitor slightly so your lids cover more of the eye surface helps too. Small structural changes to a long workday tend to outlast willpower.
Manage the air around you
Redirect car vents and desk fans away from your face, and consider a humidifier in rooms where you spend long stretches. Coastal wind and air conditioning are frequent culprits, and shielding the eyes outdoors makes a noticeable difference for some patients.
Keep a short log
Jot down when symptoms are worst and what you were doing, along with anything you tried. A week of notes gives the doctor far more to work with at your follow-up than a general impression, and it often reveals a pattern you had not noticed.
Insurance
Plans We Accept
We accept VSP, EyeMed, Heritage, Blue Shield, and Medicare. We verify your benefits before the appointment so costs are clear in advance, including whether your dry eye visit is covered under medical or vision benefits. Out-of-network patients are welcome and receive itemized paperwork for reimbursement.
Accepted plan
Accepted plan
Accepted plan
Accepted plan
Accepted plan
Our front desk confirms your coverage with your carrier before your visit, including whether the appointment falls under your medical benefits or your vision plan, what your copay will be, and whether a deductible applies. If any part of the plan we discuss carries a separate cost, you get an estimate before anything is scheduled, not after. Follow-up visits are handled the same way. If your plan is out of network, we will tell you up front and provide itemized documentation for reimbursement. Questions about a statement? Call (310) 305-2950 and ask for the front desk.
Meet Our
Doctors
Dr. Shahrokh Dayyani
O.D.
Comprehensive eye care with a focus on ocular disease management and specialty contact lens fittings.
Dr. Kayla Ueda
O.D.
Comprehensive exams for all ages, dry eye treatment, and pediatric myopia management.
Dr. Sarah Maasarani
O.D.
Board-certified optometrist with residency training in ocular disease and a focus on preventive, patient-centered care.
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say
Visit Us
Marina del Rey
4718 3/4 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Office Hours
| Monday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
| Thursday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
| Friday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
| Saturday | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
| Sunday | 11:00am – 4:00pm |
FAQ
Common Questions
Tired Of Tired Eyes?
Appointments are usually available the same week. Book online in under a minute or give us a call.