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Your Advanced Ocular Surface Disease Center in Durham

Struggling with chronic eye discomfort, redness, or blurred vision? Our expert eye care team specializes in the advanced diagnosis and medical management of ocular surface disease, offering personalized treatment plans to relieve symptoms and restore comfort.

Whether you're dealing with severe dry eye, inflammation, or corneal complications, we utilize cutting-edge technology and evidence-based care to improve your eye health and quality of life. Trust us to help you see clearly and comfortably again.

A woman using a TearLab device on her eye.
Close-up of a person's eye with a tissue being used to wipe away tears.

What is Ocular Surface Disease, and What Causes It?

Ocular Surface Disease (OSD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the surface of the eye, including the cornea, conjunctiva, and tear film. It often results in symptoms like dryness, irritation, redness, blurry vision, and a gritty sensation.

Common causes include dry eye syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunction, allergic reactions, infections, and autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome. Environmental factors like prolonged screen time, low humidity, contact lens wear, and certain medications can also contribute to OSD.

Left untreated, it can impact vision and eye comfort significantly, making early diagnosis and management essential.

Offering the Most Advanced Technology Today for Treatment of OSD

At our clinic, we invest in some of the most advanced eye care technology available today to ensure precise diagnosis and effective treatment. These innovations allow us to detect issues earlier, customize care plans, and monitor progress with exceptional accuracy.

By staying at the forefront of eye care advancements, we help our patients achieve the clearest, most comfortable vision possible—supporting their daily lives with healthier eyes and long-term visual wellness.

A doctor is using a pen to point to an eye model

In-Depth Tear Gland and Functional Dry Eye Assessment

We offer advanced testing and assessment of tear gland function and dry eyes, using cutting-edge technology such as:

  • Oculus Keratograph 5M

    This advanced imaging tool evaluates tear film quality, meibomian gland health, and corneal irregularities, allowing for comprehensive, non-invasive diagnosis of dry eye and ocular surface disease.

  • TearLab

    Our team uses this technology to measure tear osmolarity—an essential marker of dry eye disease—providing quick, reliable results that help guide targeted treatment and monitor patient response to therapy over time.

  • Inflammadry

    This tool is used to detect elevated MMP-9 levels, a key marker of inflammation in dry eye disease, enabling early intervention and more effective, personalized treatment strategies for managing ocular surface inflammation.

Dry Eye and Aesthetics Treatments

Treatments we offer at our Durham eye clinic include:

  • IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

    IPL therapy uses light pulses to reduce inflammation and improve meibomian gland function in dry eye patients. It also enhances skin tone and texture for aesthetic rejuvenation.

  • Radiofrequency

    Radiofrequency gently heats the eyelid area, stimulating collagen production and unclogging meibomian glands. This improves tear flow and tightens skin, offering both dry eye relief and cosmetic benefits.

  • LipiFlow

    LipiFlow combines heat and gentle pressure to clear blocked meibomian glands. This in-office treatment restores natural oil flow to the tear film, providing lasting relief from evaporative dry eye.

  • BlephEx

    BlephEx is a handheld device that exfoliates the eyelid margins, removing bacteria, biofilm, and debris. It treats blepharitis and enhances overall eyelid hygiene, reducing inflammation and improving tear quality.

  • ZEST

    ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) uses a natural okra-based gel to deep-clean eyelids, removing oil, debris, and contaminants. It's gentle yet effective for managing dry eye and eyelid inflammation.

Medical Management of Ocular Surface Disease

We offer the following technologies for superior medical management of your OSD:

  • Amniotic Membranes

    Amniotic membranes promote healing of the ocular surface by reducing inflammation and scarring. Used in moderate to severe cases, they support corneal regeneration and enhance patient comfort during recovery.

  • Punctal Plugs

    Punctal plugs are tiny inserts placed in the tear ducts to retain moisture on the eye's surface. They help relieve dryness by preventing tear drainage, improving hydration and comfort.

  • Rx Drops

    Prescription eye drops, including anti-inflammatories and immunomodulators, target the root causes of ocular surface disease. These medications help reduce symptoms, control inflammation, and support long-term eye health and comfort.

  • Serum Tears

    Serum tears are custom-made eye drops derived from a patient's own blood serum. Rich in growth factors and nutrients, they promote healing and relief in severe dry eye and ocular damage.

  • At-Home Therapies

    At-home treatments like warm compresses, lid scrubs, omega-3 supplements, and humidifiers support daily management of ocular surface disease, helping maintain tear stability and reduce flare-ups between office visits.

Ocular Surface Disease FAQs

Meet our Eye Doctors

Frances Sites
Frances Sites O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments

Dr. Sites attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. and was granted early admission to Salus University (formerly known as Pennsylvania College of Optometry) where she received her bachelors degree in visual science and her Doctorate of…

Thomas Arnista
Thomas Arnista O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments

Dr. Arnista received Deans List honors in Biological Sciences at UCONN and was granted early admission into the New England College of Optometry. While there he earned both his Doctorate of Optometry and a B.S. in Visual Science in 1985.…

Patient Reviews

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116 Reviews
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New M. - Jul 20, 2026
What a great place when they tell you that they are going to take care of something THEY DO !!!
Lori L. - Jul 11, 2026
I am so happy to be back at Durham Family Eye Care after 10 years! I had originally started going el... sewhere because my previous insurance wasn’t accepted, but this year I have new insurance that they do accept, and I’m so glad I returned. To make matters worse, I showed up feeling like the worst patient ever—I forgot my insurance information, forgot my glasses, and even forgot my prescription! The receptionist couldn’t have been kinder. She was able to verify my insurance for me and immediately put me at ease. Dr. Sites was wonderful. She was incredibly kind, thorough, and took the time to answer my questions. The exam was much more comprehensive than the office I had been going to in Middletown, where I always felt rushed. At Durham Family Eye Care, I never felt like they were trying to hurry me along. I don’t remember everyone’s names, but every staff member I interacted with was professional, patient, and genuinely friendly. When it came time to pick out glasses, they took the time to help me find frames that actually complemented my face instead of just pointing me toward a display. I also received trial contact lenses to wear for a week before my follow-up visit, which I really appreciated. On top of that, they offer 50% off glasses when you purchase your contact lenses, which seems like an amazing value. From start to finish, the entire experience exceeded my expectations. The level of customer service, attention to detail, and genuine care for their patients is outstanding. I highly recommend Durham Family Eye Care!

Your Ocular Surface Disease Doctor in Durham

Outside Durham Family Eye Care
Photograph of Frances Sites
Hours
  • Monday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Humana
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • UMR
  • AARP
  • MetLife
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Blue View Vision
  • Optum
  • Meritain Health
  • Superior Vision
  • Cigna Vision
  • Guardian
  • Oxford
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • FEP Blue Vision
  • Premier Eye Care
  • WellCare
  • BCBS Federal Employee Program
Close-up of a person's eye with a red and irritated sclera.

Ready to see the world more clearly?

Contact us to schedule your eye exam!