McConkey Eye Care

10/29/2025

While Dr. McConkey has transitioned to seeing only Dry Eye and Specialty Lens patients, we do have a few exceptions to that business model. Meet Duncan, one of the youngest patients Dr. M has seen in her career. He had just turned 4 years old, and needed some pretty hefty glasses. He walked around his house putting his glasses on and taking them off while looking at various objects to compare blur versus clear vision. For 8 years, we have watched him grow up from a tiny tot to a sarcastic middle schooler. How is he almost a teenager now?!

So good to see you, Duncan!

10/27/2025

PROOF that Meibomian Gland Loss is NOT age related. Do not let your doctor gas light you into believing your dry eye is due to age. 86% of dry eye suffers have miebomian gland dysfunction, also known as MGD. MGD can result from incomplete blink, rosacea, mites and bacteria, poor diet, history of accutane usage, and other causes. Age is not the cause. See here, a 15 year old patient with meibomian gland loss, the glands are short and many have be lost entirely, as compared to my 85 year old patient who has the most beautiful gland structure I’ve ever seen. Without good gland structure, the glands will not produce enough oil to create the lipid layer of the tear film, tears will evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eye that is typically worse at the end of the day or after near work such as video games, reading, computer use, and phone use. Visit us to have photos of your meibomian glands taken at a dry eye evaluation. You can schedule online at www.McConkeyEyeCare.com

10/26/2025

Exciting news! The FDA has approved Epioxa (riboflavin 5'-phosphate ophthalmic solution) as the first epithelium-on corneal cross-linking procedure to treat progressive keratoconus in patients aged 13 and older. Unlike traditional cross-linking, Epioxa is an incision-free alternative that does not require the removal of the corneal epithelium, and it is expected to be commercially available in early 2026.

Epioxa Provides the Ophthalmic Community and Patients with the First and Only FDA-Approved, Incision-Free, Topical Drug Therapy for Keratoconus EEpioxa Represents a Novel, Groundbreaking Therapy for Patients Afflicted by This Sight-Threatening Rare Disease Epioxa Expected to Be Commercially Availabl...

10/24/2025

Check in on OptiLift! Amber Torgerson

10/22/2025

Exciting things are happening at McConkey Eye Care!

Dr. McConkey and team are leading the way in Harford County with OptiLIFT, using advanced Dynamic Muscle Stimulation to support patients dealing with impaired blinking and lower lid laxity.

It’s always inspiring to see partners transforming care in their communities.

10/21/2025

NEW BLOG!! No two cases of DRY EYE are the same. Learn what signs lead us to your underlying cause so that we can treat the problem at the source. Dr. McConkey poured her heart and soul into this post, in hopes to educate patients on why we do what we do, and what your test results mean.

See what makes our dry eye approach different as we seek to identify and treat your underlying cause(s). Dry eye is not a one size fits all condition, and we work with you to find solutions that work for you.

10/21/2025

Come see us this Thursday at The Vine Natural Health Center where Dr. McConkey will discuss all things Dry Eye!

Dealing with dry, irritated eyes? You're not alone — and you're not without options!

Join us for "Dry Eye: Let’s Talk About It!" — a free seminar on Thursday, October 23rd from 6–8 PM with Dr. Whitney McConkey of McConkey Eye Care. Learn what causes dry eye, how to manage symptoms, and ways to find real relief.

📍The Vine Natural Health Center
📞 410-838-8463 (VINE)
🖥️ Please register at www.harfordvine.com

10/21/2025

Dealing with dry, irritated eyes? You're not alone — and you're not without options!

Join us for "Dry Eye: Let’s Talk About It!" — a free seminar on Thursday, October 23rd from 6–8 PM with Dr. Whitney McConkey of McConkey Eye Care. Learn what causes dry eye, how to manage symptoms, and ways to find real relief.

📍The Vine Natural Health Center
📞 410-838-8463 (VINE)
🖥️ Please register at www.harfordvine.com

10/15/2025

This is why you should eat more seafood. Diets low in Omega-3s lead to the oil glands in your eyelid being clogged. These glands are responsible for secreting the top layer of the tear film. Without a good lipid layer, the tears will evaporate too quickly, leading to blur, burning, tearing, and other dry eye symptoms.

If you’re vegan, try flaxseed or algae oil.

To learn more about causes of dry eye, visit www.McConkeyEyeCare.com/blog.

10/15/2025

Oh my goodness! We are going viral! 🤣

10/10/2025

🎃 Halloween 🧟‍♀️ Season Is Here! 👻

This is your yearly reminder that your Halloween costume is not more important than your sight. Halloween costume contact lenses are not safe.

You aren't looking at a spooky moon, that is a cornea the day after Halloween, or rather a missing cornea. The large green circle is the lack of epithelial tissue on the cornea after a patient wore a costume contact lens the night before. As a reminder, the cornea has more nerve endings than any other tissue in your body. A scratch on the cornea is one of the most painful things you can ever experience. The only way this photo was possible was with a significant number of numbing drops.

Contact lenses being sold without a prescription by a doctor are illegal in the United States, whether or not they have a refractive correction. Even contact lenses purely for cosmetic reasons require a prescription. If you see contact lenses being sold without a proper fitting by a doctor to ensure safety, report them to stopillegalCLs@aoa.org.