Summer can be difficult on already sensitive eyes. Air conditioning, wind, sun exposure, travel, extended screen time, and environmental irritants can aggravate dry eye and leave the ocular surface increasingly uncomfortable. For some patients in Harlem, symptoms move beyond occasional dryness and involve significant irritation or damage to the corneal surface.
 

When artificial tears and basic dry eye treatments are no longer enough, amniotic membrane therapy may be considered to support corneal healing. At Green Eye Care, we offer advanced dry eye treatment for patients who need more than temporary symptom relief.
 

When Dry Eye Starts Affecting the Cornea

Healthy tears protect and lubricate the cornea, which is the clear surface at the front of the eye. When the tear film remains unstable for an extended period, the corneal surface can become irritated and inflamed.
 

Severe dry eye may contribute to small areas of epithelial damage, keratitis, recurring irritation, and increased sensitivity. Patients may notice that their eyes continue to burn or feel gritty even after applying lubricating drops.
 

Signs that the ocular surface may need closer evaluation include:
 

• Persistent burning, stinging, or eye pain
• Significant light sensitivity
• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• A constant gritty or foreign-body sensation
• Redness that repeatedly returns
• Discomfort that does not improve with artificial tears
• Previous corneal abrasions or recurrent erosions

These symptoms can have several causes, so a medical eye examination is important before deciding on treatment.
 

What Is Amniotic Membrane Therapy?

Amniotic membrane is a biological tissue used in eye care to create a protective environment over a damaged corneal surface. It contains components that can help control inflammation, limit scarring, and support the eye's natural healing process.
 

At Green Eye Care, Prokera® may be used for appropriate patients. Prokera contains cryopreserved amniotic membrane held within a thin ring that is placed over the eye, functioning as a temporary biological corneal bandage.
 

Unlike ordinary artificial tears, which primarily add lubrication, amniotic membrane therapy is intended to support healing when the corneal surface itself has become compromised.
 

How Does Prokera Help Severe Dry Eye?

The membrane rests over the cornea while the ocular surface heals beneath it. Its biological properties create an environment that can reduce inflammation and encourage regeneration of healthy corneal tissue.
 

Treatment may be considered when chronic dry eye has caused significant corneal involvement or when conventional treatments have not provided enough improvement.
 

This does not mean amniotic membrane therapy permanently cures every cause of dry eye. Dry eye is often a chronic and multifactorial condition, so ongoing treatment may still be needed after the cornea heals.
 

What Does Treatment Feel Like?

Prokera is placed in the office and remains on the eye temporarily. Because the device contains a ring, patients may notice a foreign-body sensation while wearing it. Vision can also be temporarily blurred.
 

The treatment period depends on the condition of the cornea and how the eye responds. We monitor the ocular surface and remove the device when appropriate.
 

Afterward, additional dry eye treatment may be recommended to help maintain a healthier tear film and reduce the likelihood of recurring damage.
 

Why Treating the Underlying Dry Eye Still Matters

Healing the corneal surface is only one part of managing severe dry eye. We also need to understand why the tear film became unstable in the first place.
 

Dry eye can involve inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, insufficient tear production, eyelid issues, medications, screen habits, and environmental factors. A personalized treatment plan may combine several approaches depending on your examination findings.
 

If summer has left your eyes persistently painful, irritated, or blurry despite using artificial tears, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Green Eye Care at 404 E 117th St., New York, NY 10035 by calling (347) 757-5475. Our Harlem eye care team can evaluate the health of your cornea and determine whether amniotic membrane therapy such as Prokera® or another advanced dry eye treatment may help restore a healthier, more comfortable ocular surface.