We diagnose and treat the root cause of dry eye disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction with FDA-approved photo-regeneration therapy — a drug-free, drop-free protocol pioneered in Puerto Rico by Dr. Ernesto Collazo.
Ophthalmologist · Dry Eye Specialist
Dr. Collazo founded The Dry Eye Center for Puerto Rico with a clear mission: to bring the island a level of specialized dry eye care that rivals any clinic in the mainland United States — and in many cases, surpasses it.
As a medical advisor for Lumenis, maker of the only IPL system FDA-approved specifically for dry eye, he sits at the forefront of the technology he uses every day. He is internationally recognized as a key opinion leader and was among the first ophthalmologists in the United States to integrate IPL with Low Level Light Therapy — a combination later validated by NIH research as superior to IPL alone.
As we navigate the complexities of eye health together, I want to take a moment to share a personal journey that has significantly shaped my professional focus. Since my college days, I have struggled with dry eye syndrome, a condition that affects countless individuals and profoundly impacts quality of life. This personal challenge, coupled with my deep commitment to improving eye care, has led me to a profound understanding of the frustrations and discomfort associated with dry eyes.
Over the past 25 years, thousands of patients have come to me seeking relief from this pervasive issue. Each story has deepened my resolve to provide the most effective solutions for managing this condition. This collective experience and my personal battle with dry eye syndrome inspired me to establish a specialized facility dedicated to this cause — The Dry Eye Center for Puerto Rico.
Since my college days, I have struggled with dry eye syndrome. This personal challenge has led me to a profound understanding of the frustrations and discomfort it causes.
At The Dry Eye Center, we are committed to offering the most advanced technology available for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. We are proud to feature the most cutting-edge photo-regeneration technology known as Intense Pulsed Light with the Lumenis Optilight system. Notably, Lumenis is the pioneer of IPL technology, and their system is the only one approved by the FDA for treating dry eye caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction — which accounts for 88% of cases. This technology has proven to be a game-changer in the field.
In addition to IPL, we offer a range of cutting-edge treatments including Low Level Light Therapy, Thermal Lid Pulsation Therapy, and BlePhex lid margin microexfoliation. Each of these therapies is designed to address the various underlying causes of dry eye, ensuring that we can provide personalized care tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
Our mission at the Dry Eye Center for Puerto Rico is not merely to treat symptoms but to significantly improve your eye health and overall quality of life. We understand the impact that dry eye can have on your daily activities, and we are here to offer you relief and support with the most effective and innovative treatments available.
If you or someone you know is suffering from dry eye syndrome, I warmly invite you to visit us at the Dry Eye Center. Let us help you find the relief you deserve and embark on a journey to better eye health together.
Thank you for your trust in me and in our center. We look forward to serving you and helping you achieve the comfort and clarity you deserve.
Founder · Medical Director
Precise diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Every patient receives a comprehensive workup using the latest generation of diagnostic technology — much of it from the same companies Dr. Collazo advises.
High-resolution infrared imaging of the meibomian glands — revealing damage, loss, and blockage invisible to the naked eye.
Objective measurement of tear chemistry — the gold standard for quantifying tear film health and disease severity.
Digitally timed measurement of tear film stability — directly informing which interventions will work best for you.
Precise mapping of the cornea reveals how your tear film and ocular surface affect clarity of vision.
Digital measurement of tear volume at the lid margin — quantifying exactly how much tear fluid is available.
A drug-free, drop-free solution pioneered at our center. In 2019, clinical research published in Clinical Ophthalmology demonstrated that combining Intense Pulsed Light with Low Level Light Therapy significantly outperforms either treatment alone — an approach Dr. Collazo was the first in Puerto Rico to implement.
Filtered wavelengths of light are absorbed by inflamed blood vessels supplying the lids, reducing the inflammation that drives dry eye disease.
Alters the metabolism of oil-producing cells, enhancing cellular growth, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair within the meibomian glands.
Softens the oils that lubricate the eye, clearing blockages and allowing the glands to secrete the tear film protection they were designed to produce.
Targets the skin mites and bacterial overgrowth on the lashes that perpetuate lid inflammation and tear film breakdown.
"Combining IPL and LLLT in a single treatment produced significant improvements in tear breakup time and MGD grading scores, with marked improvement in patient-reported symptoms."
— Clinical Ophthalmology, 2019
The Second Half of Our Protocol
While IPL targets the inflammatory vasculature and meibum blockages, Celluma LLLT works at the cellular level — energizing compromised meibomian gland cells to repair and regenerate themselves.
Cells absorb light photons and convert them into ATP — the energy currency that powers cellular repair, DNA synthesis, and tissue regeneration.
Energized meibomian glands clear blockages naturally and produce more of their protective oils — without surgical intervention.
Celluma’s patented flexible design positions LEDs closer to the skin than any other device, maximizing energy delivery with zero risk of pigmentation changes.
Because dry eye is rarely a single condition, our protocol is rarely a single therapy. We combine in-office procedures, prescription medications, and take-home devices into a plan engineered for your specific presentation.
The only IPL system clinically proven and FDA-approved specifically for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Photo-regeneration therapy that accelerates cellular repair. Combined with IPL at our center — no extra fee.
Precise in-office deep eyelid cleaning to eliminate biofilm, debris, and inflammation at the lash line.
Customized eye drops derived from your own blood — a nourishing biologic solution for the ocular surface.
A therapeutic biologic contact-lens-like device that rapidly rehabilitates moderate to severe dry eye.
In-office treatment targeting blocked meibomian glands with precisely controlled heat and pressure.
Restasis, Cequa, or Vevye — managing ocular inflammation to promote healthier tear production.
Activates the nasolacrimal pathway to enhance the eye's natural tear flow — effective when drops aren't enough.
A non-aqueous, preservative-free, soothing eye drop that can relieve symptoms within weeks.
Targeting the inflammatory cascade for improved tear production and significantly reduced symptoms.
Micro plugs that conserve tears by blocking drainage ducts, aiding in long-term moisture retention.
Precisely controlled at-home therapy maintaining the therapeutic 104–107°F window for 15-minute sessions.
Pharmaceutical-grade supplementation with clinical evidence for supporting meibomian gland health.
Targeted antibacterial and antiparasitic care for demodex and bacterial overgrowth at the lash line.
A curated selection of the most advanced lubricating drops and gels for immediate, sustained relief.
If you've been living with irritation, burning, blurred vision, or chronic reflex tearing — and over-the-counter drops aren't enough — it's time to see what's actually happening in your tear film.
(787) 728-3700