Dry Eye Treatment

offered in St. Croix Falls, Frederic and Webster, WI

Dry Eye Treatment services offered in St. Croix Falls, Frederic and Webster, WI

Dry eye treatment can provide lasting relief if you regularly experience dry, stinging, or burning eyes. At St. Croix Falls Eye Associates, in St. Croix Falls, Webster, and Frederic, Wisconsin, licensed optometrists Lawrence Tran, OD, and Sandra Dolphin, OD, specialize in dry eye treatment. After an eye exam, they can determine the cause and make personalized treatment recommendations. Call the nearest office today to receive dry eye treatment, or book your appointment online.

Dry Eye Treatment Q & A

What is dry eye treatment?

Dry eye treatment is an optometry subspecialty that addresses inadequate or unstable tear production.

Your tear ducts regularly produce tears to keep your eyes wet, eliminate irritants, and help focus light. If they stop making tears or your tears are of low quality, it increases your risk of more serious eye problems, like inflammation and cornea damage.

Who should consider dry eye treatment?

Consider dry eye treatment at St. Croix Falls Eye Associates if you have any of the following symptoms:

Stinging, burning, or itchy eyes
Sensitivity to light
Eye redness
Watery eyes
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Blurred vision or eye fatigue

Dry eyes may affect your ability to drive at night or make it feel like there’s something stuck in your eyes.

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes occur for various reasons, including:

Natural aging process
Certain medical conditions, like allergies
Taking certain medications, like antihistamines
Corneal nerve desensitivity due to contact use or prior surgery
Vitamin A deficiency
Eyelid problems
Smoking
Eating a poor diet
Working at a computer

Sometimes, dry eyes occur because of the eyelids turning inward or outward.

How are dry eyes diagnosed?

Your St. Croix Falls Eye Associates provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a comprehensive eye exam. They then order several tests, including:

Tear volume test

Your optometrist carefully inserts small pieces of blotting paper into your lower eyelids, letting them sit for about five minutes. Afterward, they remove the strips and see how much of the paper is soaked in your tears.

Tear quality test

Your optometrist administers colored eye drops into both of your eyes. The dye allows your provider to check for problems on your eyes’ surfaces that might affect tear production.

Tear osmolarity test

This test measures the amount of water in your tears. Low tear osmolarity indicates dry eye disease.

What does dry eye treatment involve?

Treatment of dry eyes depends on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms.

If your dry eyes occur because of problems with your eye, eyelids, or tear ducts, your optometrist may prescribe:

Medicines to reduce eyelid inflammation
Eye drops to control cornea inflammation
Eye inserts that act like artificial tears
Tear-stimulating medicines
Nasal spray to increase tear production
Using special contact lenses
Unblocking oil glands

Call St. Croix Falls Eye Associates today to learn more about dry eye treatment, or make your appointment online.