What Is Dry Eye?
Our approach at Central Eyes Optometry is to treat the cause of dry eye. Depending on your situation and past care, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears or the quality of your tear film changes. During your appointment, we’ll take the time to fully assess your eyes, determine the cause of your symptoms, and recommend different treatment options that suit your needs.
We can help manage your dry eye symptoms and rejuvenate the skin around your eyes. Our personalized treatments are a combination of at-home and in-office care. Schedule an appointment today!
Book AppointmentSymptoms of Dry Eye
While anyone can develop dry eye, some people may be more prone to it. Some women, people over the age of 50, and those who wear contacts regularly may be more likely to experience dry eyes. Common symptoms include:
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Burning and stinging sensations
- Blurry vision
- Red eyes
- Tired eyes
- Sensitivity to light
What Are the Causes of Dry Eye?
When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or they produce poor-quality tears, you may experience symptoms of dry eye. Another common cause of dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction, a condition that occurs when the glands located along your eyelids don’t produce enough natural oil for your tears.
Certain medications, systemic health issues like diabetes, and autoimmune disorders like lupus and Sjögren syndrome can increase your risk of experiencing dry eye symptoms. Environmental factors like smoke, pollution, and air conditioning can also worsen dry eye symptoms, and prolonged time in front of screens can lead to digital eye strain and dry eye symptoms.
Our Diagnostic Methods
We use a variety of tests to diagnose the cause of your dry eye symptoms. It’s important for us to understand why you’re experiencing your symptoms so that we can offer you the right treatment method.
Meibography
Meibography is the process of taking detailed images of your meibomian glands.
Using meibography, we can detect meibomian gland dysfunction and how it’s affecting your eye comfort.
Tear Breakup Time Testing (TBUT)
Tear breakup time helps us evaluate how quickly your tears evaporate.
After placing a small drop of dye in your eye, we’ll monitor how long it takes for the dye to disappear. If the dye doesn’t last long, you may have dry eye.
Schirmer’s Test
Schirmer’s testing helps us evaluate how well your eyes can produce tears. After numbing your eyes with eye drops, we place a small piece of paper just under the eyelid, gently touching the whites of your eye.
After, you’ll close your eyes for 5 minutes, and we’ll be able to visually see how well your eyes are making tears by assessing the level of moisture on the paper.
TearLab
TearLab technology measures the osmolarity, or salt concentration, of your tears. If your tears have a high level of salt, it could signify issues with tear production and could help us identify the source of your dry eye symptoms.
Our Treatments
Our treatment plans involve both at-home and in-office care. If you spend a lot of time in front of screens, we suggest taking regular breaks throughout the day to help prevent digital eye strain. We also recommend avoiding smoke, wind, and direct air from air conditioning systems.
Humidifiers can help in dry environments, along with proper hydration and sleep. Increasing your intake of vitamin A and omega-3s may also help improve your symptoms. In addition to the treatments we offer, we may recommend punctal plugs, eye drops, or heating masks to use at home.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses sit on the sclera (white part) of the eye. Their unique shape creates a space between your eyes and the lens where tears can accumulate, keeping the eyes hydrated. In some cases, we may recommend using saline eye drop before inserting your lens. This additional moisture can help soothe your eye and reduce symptoms of dry eye.
Dr. Barret is passionate about fitting scleral lenses, and he’ll help you find the ones that suit your needs.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency treatments use heat to alleviate dry eye symptoms. The heat generated by radiofrequency technology helps to melt blockages in the meibomian glands, supporting oil flow and tear film quality.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is an in-office treatment that gently heats areas around the eye, making it a particularly useful strategy for addressing meibomian gland dysfunction. It can also reduce inflammation and bacteria on your eyelids and lash line.
Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST)
Bacteria, demodex mites, and debris on your eyelids can cause your eyes to become irritated and inflamed, leading to symptoms of dry eye. Using ZEST, we can cleanse the area around your eyes and eyelids, helping to prevent future irritation and inflammation.
Book an Appointment
Living with the symptoms of dry eye can be uncomfortable. We can assess the cause of your dry eyes and help you find a path toward comfortable vision. Schedule an appointment with us today!
Book AppointmentOur Location
Our Address
- 1891 NE 7th Street
- Grants Pass, OR 97526
Contact Information
- Phone: 541-237-0030
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Our Brands
Our Google Reviews
Our Blogs
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Vision TipsWhen it comes to vision, nature is both diverse and innovative. Animals have evolved an array of visual abilities that often far surpass human capabilities, tailored to their unique environments and survival needs. This blog post explores some of the most intriguing differences between human eyesight and that of various animals, shedding light on nature’s […]
How Often Should I See an Eye Doctor?
Eye exams are a crucial part of maintaining our overall health. Regular eye exams are essential, even if you don’t think you need a new glasses or contact lens prescription. Our eyes are complex organs, and a lot can go wrong without noticeable symptoms. Regular check-ups are the best way to detect both minor issues […]
Preventing Sports Eye Injuries
Most eye injuries are entirely preventable. This includes those sustained during athletic activities. While eye protection is commonly associated with professions like welding, construction, or laboratory work, it’s equally crucial for athletes. In the United States alone, proper eye protection could prevent approximately 27,000 of the 30,000 eye injuries reported annually in sports — that’s […]
The Fascinating World of Animal Eyesight
When it comes to vision, nature is both diverse and innovative. Animals have evolved an array of visual abilities that often far surpass human capabilities, tailored to their unique environments and survival needs. This blog post explores some of the most intriguing differences between human eyesight and that of various animals, shedding light on nature’s […]
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Central Eyes Optometry
- 1891 NE 7th Street
- Grants Pass, OR 97526
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P: 541-237-0030
[email protected]