That is why effective dry eye care should begin with a comprehensive evaluation rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

At the Dry Eye Healing Institute in West Bloomfield, Dr. Jennifer Shaba provides highly personalized care using advanced diagnostic technology, regenerative medicine, and innovative treatments for multiple stages and causes of dry eye disease.

The institute is continuing to expand its treatment capabilities with the introduction of platelet-rich plasma eye drops, also known as PRP eye drops.

Introducing PRP Eye Drops in Michigan

Dr. Shaba is proud to be the first and currently only provider in Michigan offering this specific regenerative medicine technology for the ocular surface.

PRP eye drops are created using components obtained from the patient’s own blood. The preparation contains concentrated platelets and naturally occurring growth factors that may help support the body’s healing processes.

Unlike conventional lubricating drops that primarily provide temporary moisture, PRP eye drops are intended to support the health and recovery of the ocular surface. They may be considered for certain patients experiencing moderate to severe dry eye disease, persistent ocular surface discomfort, corneal irregularities, or symptoms that have not improved sufficiently with traditional treatments.

Because PRP eye drops are produced from the patient’s own blood, they offer a personalized and biologically compatible treatment option. Every patient must first receive a complete examination to determine whether this therapy is appropriate for their condition.

Regenerative Ocular Surface Treatments From BioTissue

The Dry Eye Healing Institute also offers the full range of advanced BioTissue ocular surface products used by Dr. Shaba, including:

PROKERA

PROKERA is a biologic corneal bandage that uses cryopreserved amniotic membrane tissue to create an environment that supports corneal healing. It may be recommended for patients with significant ocular surface inflammation, corneal damage, keratitis, or moderate to severe dry eye disease.

CAM360

CAM360 is a ringless cryopreserved amniotic membrane that can be placed directly on the ocular surface. It provides another treatment option for physicians addressing dry eye disease, neurotrophic corneal conditions, and other forms of ocular surface damage.

NEOX

NEOX is a cryopreserved human tissue product used in regenerative treatment applications. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis and the extent of ocular surface disease, it may be incorporated into a customized care plan designed to protect damaged tissue and encourage healing.

Having access to multiple regenerative products allows Dr. Shaba to select an option based on the condition of the cornea, the severity of the disease, and the patient’s individual treatment goals.

Advanced Treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Meibomian gland dysfunction, commonly called MGD, is a leading contributor to evaporative dry eye. It develops when the glands along the eyelids become obstructed or fail to release enough healthy oil into the tear film.

The Dry Eye Healing Institute offers several advanced treatments for MGD, inflammation, and gland obstruction.

Lumenis OptiLIGHT IPL

Dr. Shaba was the first physician in Michigan to offer Lumenis OptiLIGHT intense pulsed light therapy.

OptiLIGHT is the first and only IPL technology authorized by the FDA specifically for the management of signs of dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. The treatment applies controlled pulses of light to the area below and around the eyes to address inflammation associated with MGD.

Lumenis OptiPLUS Radiofrequency

The institute was also the first practice in Michigan to offer Lumenis OptiPLUS, an FDA-cleared dual-frequency radiofrequency technology.

OptiPLUS delivers controlled heat to the tissue surrounding the eyes. This warming effect can help target the meibomian glands and may be used alongside OptiLIGHT as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

TearCare

TearCare uses wearable devices placed on the eyelids to deliver controlled heat while allowing the patient to blink naturally. After the oils inside the glands have been softened, Dr. Shaba can perform gland expression to help remove obstructions and improve oil flow.

Low-Level Light Therapy

Low-level light therapy, or LLLT, uses specific wavelengths of light as a noninvasive treatment for inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction. It may be used independently or combined with other therapies based on the patient’s diagnosis.

Leadership in the Dry Eye Community

Dr. Shaba’s commitment to advancing dry eye care extends beyond her work with patients.

She is the youngest founding board member of the Dry Eye Society of the Americas, an organization created to support education, collaboration, and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease.

In July 2026, Dr. Shaba will speak at the Society’s conference about anti-inflammatory treatments for dry eye disease. She also serves as a key opinion leader, consultant, and member of multiple professional advisory boards.

These leadership roles allow her to contribute to important conversations about emerging treatments while remaining closely connected to advancements in ocular surface care.

A Customized Approach to Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye can involve several interconnected problems, including tear instability, inflammation, blocked glands, insufficient tear production, eyelid conditions, and damage to the corneal surface.

For that reason, the most advanced device is not automatically the right treatment for every person. Some patients may benefit from PRP eye drops or amniotic membrane therapy, while others may need IPL, radiofrequency treatment, gland expression, prescription medication, or a combination of therapies.

At the Dry Eye Healing Institute, each treatment plan begins with a detailed assessment of the eyes, eyelids, tear film, meibomian glands, symptoms, and medical history.

The goal is to identify the factors contributing to the condition and develop a care plan that addresses more than temporary symptoms.

Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation in West Bloomfield

Patients throughout Michigan now have access to an expanding range of regenerative and technology-based dry eye treatments at the Dry Eye Healing Institute.

To learn whether PRP eye drops, PROKERA, CAM360, NEOX, OptiLIGHT, OptiPLUS, TearCare, low-level light therapy, or another treatment may be appropriate for you, schedule a comprehensive dry eye evaluation with Dr. Jennifer Shaba.

Treatment recommendations and results vary by patient. A comprehensive eye examination is required to determine whether a particular therapy is appropriate.

It’s completely normal for eyes to become dry with age. Nearly every person over 50 experiences dry eye symptoms at some point. It has been proven that aging significantly increases your risk of dry eye! Yes, the more birthdays we have, the more likely we are to get dry eyes due to hormonal changes as we get older. Lacrimal gland production of tears naturally decreases with age as well.

A range of problems can arise as a result of the natural aging process, with both the quality and quantity of your tears declining and getting worse as time passes. Additionally, hormonal changes such as thyroid eye disease or autoimmune conditions like Lupus can cause these symptoms.

Dry eye disease can also be caused by hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause (affecting women over 50 years of age), postmenopausal estrogen treatment, and androgen deficiency.

Take advantage of your golden years without letting your eyes stop you! By following an effective treatment plan, you can increase your comfort and improve your vision, allowing you to fully enjoy your favorite activities.

Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance between tear production and drainage. Insufficient tears or tears of poor quality can cause your eyes to become dry.

The reliance on digital devices such as tablets, computers, phones and televisions has propelled a modern world where countless hours are spent in front of digital screens. This has caused our blinking efficiency to suffer. As a result of forgetting to blink, our eyelid oil glands become clogged. Degeneration and dysfunction of the meibomian glands can occur in very young children and toddlers due to their exposure to using electronic devices more frequently at younger ages. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) occurs when the glands become clogged with thick secretions. Our eyes become chronically obstructive with MGD when they reach this level, so the oil cannot reach the surface of the eye, resulting in a quicker evaporation of tears. During times of intense focus, we forget to blink. In the presence of low humidity indoors, our eyes can become dry. YouTube gamers of all ages begin to suffer from dryness at a very young age.

In addition to providing lubrication, tears also protect your eyes from infections, help flush away foreign matter, and keep them both smooth, clear, and moisturized.

Overuse of digital screens, dehydration, sleep deprivation, improper nutrition. Various environmental factors, such as smoke from cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, wind and dry climates can have an effect on tear evaporation, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Another contributing factor to dry eye symptoms is the failure to blink regularly caused by using technology devices like a computer screen for long periods of time.

Your physician may prescribe medications with side effects like dry eye or that may cause the development of dry eye disease. This is actually extremely common. Among them are medications for anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s.

We now live in a world where we spend countless hours on computer screens, smartphones, tablets and televisions. Our blink performance is greatly affected when we are so focused. It is simply a matter of forgetting to blink that eventually clogs up our oil glands on our eyelids. As children and young adults become more exposed at younger ages, meibomian gland dysfunction and degeneration begin to occur. Meibomian gland dysfunction is characterized by thick secretions clogging up or blocking the glands.

Chronic obstructive MGD stops oil from reaching the surface of the eye, thus leading to a quicker evaporation of tears when our eyes reach this point. In our focus, we often forget to blink. The low humidity indoors means our eyes may dry out. Despite their age, professional gamers all over the world experience dryness at an early age.

Women are more likely to develop dry eye disease due to hormonal changes brought upon by pregnancy, menopause and the use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement oral medications.

What is that red bump, sort of like a pimple, that forms on the outside edge of the eyelid? It is probably a stye. On this episode of OCuTALK™, Jennifer Yalldo, O.D. will be explaining to us what styes are, what causes them, and possible treatment options.

Hydrate and drink water throughout your day. Limit caffeine intake to 1-2 cups only. This will help your eyes stay moist and maintains your overall health. Its great to flush your body of toxins.

Add a Humidifier to your furnace or in your work space. This increases moisture in your environment which is not only beneficial for your eyes but even more so for your skin and respiratory system.

Reducing screen time! Yes, I said it. Ok, at least take breaks from your digital devices more frequently throughout your day. Watching television and using the computer has been linked to reduced blinking, which can cause your eyes to feel dry, irritated, gritty and lead to other dry eye symptoms.