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Your Advanced Ocular Surface Disease Center in Tucson

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 Tucson 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

Carol Schulte
Carol Schulte O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Carol Schulte has been practicing optometry since 1992, after graduating from the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. She is a seasoned optometrist who specializes in primary eye care and who –…

Steven Rosen
Steven Rosen O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments

Steven Rosen, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 1979, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Optometry from the same university. Dr. Rosen is a Life Member in the American Optometric…

Natalie Gakopoulos
Natalie Gakopoulos O.D.

Natalie Gakopoulos, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry in 2012. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Engineering with a focus in Optics from the University of Arizona in…

Paul Schwartz
Paul Schwartz O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

 Dr. Schwartz has been in practice for 34 years (1986). He recently moved to Arizona, leaving his long-time practice in Ithaca, NY. Dr. Schwartz has participated in eyecare missions to Bolivia, Mexico, and Honduras. Outside the…

Patient Reviews

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861 Reviews
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Anslei S.- Sep 23, 2026
Mary is an absolute angel! Got in super quick & let out even faster. She made my glasses look & feel... brand new. Please if you’re going here, SEE MARY!!!
Daniel G.- Sep 19, 2026
I have to say, the service at Affinity Eye Care was absolutely spectacular. Mary, the manager, was a... n absolute delight to work with—warm, personable, and genuinely helpful. Andreas and Dina deserve special recognition for their role in what turned out to be a surprisingly consequential eyewear consultation. I was completely torn between two pairs of glasses. As I tried them on, the word “distinguished” was bandied about quite liberally. One pair gave me the appearance of a respected, tenured college professor—the kind of man who could hold a fascinating lecture on European history and then assign you 40 pages of reading. The other pair? Well… apparently I looked like a sexy Latin dance instructor. Andreas and Dina made compelling arguments for both looks, but they also pointed out something I hadn't considered: given my current single relationship status, selecting the right pair could potentially have implications well beyond simply improving my vision. 😂 At that point, the pressure was enormous. Was I choosing distinguished? Was I choosing sexy? Was I choosing academia? Was I choosing salsa? After much deliberation, I arrived at the only logical conclusion: I bought both pairs. Why limit myself to one potential personality when I could apparently have two? Huge thanks to Mary, Andreas, and Dina for the spectacular service, the expert guidance, and what may have been the most entertaining eyeglass-shopping experience I've ever had. If you're looking for great glasses—and possibly a little assistance with your romantic prospects—I highly recommend Affinity Eye Care!

Your Ocular Surface Disease Doctor in Tucson

Affinity Eye Care
Photograph of Carol Schulte
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Superior Vision
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Avesis
  • Versant Health
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!