McConkey Eye Care

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

2025 is officially a wrap! Thank you to all of our patients for another amazing year! We ended the year with a great day full of new patients. Thank you for continuing your trust us with your care. We wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you! ❤️

12/28/2025

The 2025 McConkey Eye Care Holiday “Party” was a success! The staff, past and present, had an amazing time at at The

12/26/2025

Reminder: We are closed until Monday for the holiday so that our staff can spend time with their families.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at McConkey Eye Care!

12/20/2025

Whitney McConkey, O.D.
McConkey Eye Care
1128 Baldwin Mill Road
Jarrettsville, MD 21084
Info@McConkeyEyeCare.com
443-453-5444

December 20, 2025

WellCare Health Plans
P.O. Box 31370
Tampa, FL 33631

Re: Urgent Request to Include Dry Eye Disease Therapies on the 2026 Drug Formulary

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express urgent concern regarding the absence of prescription dry eye medications on WellCare’s 2026 drug formulary. Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic, inflammatory ocular surface condition that affects millions of Americans and is increasingly common, particularly among older adults and individuals with high digital device use. The exclusion of all effective prescription treatments — including cyclosporines (Restasis, Cequa, Vevye), lifitegrast (Xiidra), Tryptyr, Tyrvaya, Miebo, and Xdemvy — denies members access to recognized, evidence-based care.

Dry Eye Disease Is Highly Prevalent and Worsening

A foundational population-based study from Salisbury, Maryland (1997) found that approximately 14.6% of adults aged 65 and older reported dry eye symptoms often or all the time. Since that time, more recent population-based studies demonstrate substantially higher prevalence rates, indicating that dry eye disease is worsening over time. Contemporary studies show that up to 30% of elderly individuals meet diagnostic criteria for dry eye disease, reflecting a significant increase compared with earlier estimates. This rise is widely attributed to modern lifestyle factors, including prolonged digital device use, environmental exposures, systemic disease, and changes in the American diet.

Dry Eye Disease Is a Chronic Inflammatory Condition Requiring Prescription Therapy

Dry eye disease is not a transient nuisance; it is characterized by tear film instability, increased tear osmolarity, and chronic inflammation of the ocular surface. Left untreated, this inflammatory cascade can result in persistent ocular discomfort, fluctuating...

12/12/2025

Dr. McConkey’s toxic trait. If you want your appointment to stay on time, don’t ask about her daughter.

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12/12/2025

Meet our dream team. I've never had the pleasure of working alongside such a dedicated and compassionate group of women. They tirelessly advocate for our patients every day.
I feel grateful to have them by my side. Each one brings distinct strengths that make our team truly unstoppable.

12/11/2025

Move over deodorant and underwear, Dry Eye and Scleral Lens products are the stocking stuffers your loved ones really want! Order now at the with code MEC to get 20% off or stop into the office before December 23rd to get products to fill your loved ones’ stockings before Christmas.

12/11/2025

Exciting news! is coming to McConkey Eye Care! Eyeprint Pro is an impression based scleral lens for patients where traditional scleral lenses fail. Sign up now for special introductory pricing. Contact us at info@McConkeyEyeCare.com to reserve your spot!

12/10/2025

I created this video two years ago, and it still holds true. The act of blinking is incredibly important in the treatment of dry eye. We finally have a treatment to strengthen the orbicularis oculi to improve blink completeness: OptiLift. For more information, visit www.McConkeyEyeCare.com

12/09/2025

Did you know that we have an online store? It is important to us that patients have quality products at reasonable prices, and from a trusted source. We offer auto-ship subscriptions for our Omega-3 supplements and scleral lens maintenance products. All other dry eye and scleral lens products can be ordered through . Save 20% with code MEC. Visit www.McConkeyEyeCare.com/shop to order your dry eye and scleral lens products.