woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Durham

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(860) 349-2323

Tired of your eyes constantly watering?

Want to find a solution for your red, dry, itchy eyes?

Dry eye disease can seriously harm your quality of life. It can cause severe irritation and even infection in severe cases.

Symptoms of dry eye disease include:

  • Red, dry eyes
  • Itchiness in and around the eye
  • A gritty-feeling in the eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Excessive watering of the eyes

Visit Durham Family Eye Care for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

man with dry eye sneeze

Dry eye disease is an increasingly common eye condition that can happen either because the eye is not producing enough tears, or because tears are evaporating too quickly, leaving the eyes without enough moisture to function comfortably.

This can happen for several reasons including allergies, side effects from medications, hormonal changes, and illness.

Depending on the cause and exact symptoms of your dry eyes, our Durham eye doctors will be able to prescribe treatments and medications aimed at increasing the amount of tears your eye produces and/or slowing the evaporation of tears to better hydrate your eyes.


What Are the Main Causes of Dry Eye?

  • Aging

    Dry eye disease tends to affect people over the age of 50. This is because tear production slows as we age. As the lacrimal glands produce fewer tears, dry eye develops.

  • Hormonal changes

    It's not uncommon for some women to experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control pills. That's because hormone imbalances can reduce tear production.

  • Autoimmune disease

    Certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause white blood cells to attack your tear glands, thus reducing tear production. Other diseases like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes can also cause poor or insufficient tear production.

  • Medications

    Certain medications can reduce mucus production (one of the 3 tear components) thus contributing to chronic dry eye.

    They include antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.

Note that this is just a handful of causes. There are many other factors that can contribute to dry eye, including pollution and dry air, allergies, poor tear quality, dehydration, contact lens wear, and more.


Dry Eyes FAQs

Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eye syndrome?

Yes, some people can still wear contact lenses with dry eye syndrome. However, depending on its severity, you may need to carefully select the adequate contact lens for optimal clarity and comfort.

Oftentimes, because contact lenses sit on the eye, it's difficult for vital oxygen to reach the eye. This can worsen dry eye symptoms, and increase the risk of scratching or otherwise damaging your eye. Make sure to ask your eye doctor which contact lenses are most adapted to your condition.

Can dry eye syndrome be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dry eye syndrome. There are, however, many treatment options that offer lasting dry eye relief.

Can dry eye syndrome cause blindness?

In rare extreme cases, dry eye syndrome can cause corneal ulcers. These ulcers can result in scarring on the eye, making it difficult for the cornea to focus light accurately. If left untreated, corneal ulcers and the associated scarring can result in blindness.

How can I prevent dry eye symptoms?

Below are a few tips that will help prevent dry eye symptoms:

  • Point fans, heaters, and air vents so that they don’t directly blow into your eyes
  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Take breaks during long tasks, especially those that require extended visual focus
Patient Reviews
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19 Reviews
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- Oct. 18, 2024
My first time. Great experience with eye exam with Dr. Arnista. Kalli in the "eye-glass shop" area w... as also excellent. Overall, excellent experience.
- Sep. 18, 2024
The office is easy to work with and the staff is always polite and professional.
- Apr. 19, 2024
I have been a patient here since 2009 and I have nothing but excellent things to say about them. Th... e staff are all very nice, knowledgeable, professional and do everything they can to get you the care you need with the least amount of cost to the patient. I have 3 different eye insurance plans and they have always consulted them to see where I can get the best "deal". Dr. Sites is amazing and always explains everything in a way that I can understand. I highly recommend them! Thank you Durham Family Eye Care!!
- Dec. 08, 2022
I've been going here for quite a few years. I've never had a negative experience. The staff are wond... erful. They are so accommodating if you need to run in to have your glasses fixed or even to order another pair WITHOUT an appointment. The exams are quick and thorough. If you need or want an earlier appointment that the one given you're put on a 'stanby' list and you get a call or text as soon as someone cancels and are offered that appointment if you can take it. All insurance is excepted, included State of CT. I hope this review helps you to decide if this practice is the right one for you. I definitely reccomend going here.
- Apr. 14, 2021
Best eye exam and glasses purchase experience in many years. Entire staff was very professional, at... tentive to details and was never felt rushed. Will definitely be coming back here for future eye care.
- Apr. 09, 2021
Everyone at this office is super friendly, knowledgeable, willing and able to explain everything in ... a way patients can understand. They are up to date with tech and getting digital imaging of the back of the eye. I recommended them to one of my Neuro diverse clients and they also had a good experience there.
- Jun. 29, 2019
Love this place. Stopped in to make an appointment (haven't had my eyes checked in my entire adult l... ife), was able to get an appointment the same week. Was told 1.5 weeks to receive my glasses and they were in, in only 4 days! They worked with both my medical and eye insurance to get me the best price. They doctor was amazing, most soft spoken doctor I've ever met, very nice. She walked me through the entire exam and made sure i was comfortable the entire time. I have never had this great of an experience in any other doctors office! 5 stars. Would definitely recommend using them!
- Aug. 17, 2018
Dr Sites is absolutely amazing. She diagnosed an eye issue in my son at age 5 and worked extremely h... ard to improve his eye sight. Initial diagnose was by middle school even with glasses he wouldn't be able to see 20/20. And with years of hard work, he sees 20/20 with his prescription. The staff is so courteous and kind and helpful. Everyone is great here. I can't think of any negative thing about this office.

View All 19 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Durham

Our optometry practice in Durham

Photograph of Frances Sites
Hours
  • Monday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • AARP
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Anthem
  • BCBS Federal Employee Program
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue View Vision
  • Cigna
  • Cigna Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • FEP Blue Vision
  • Guardian
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Humana
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Meritain Health
  • MetLife
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • Optum
  • Oxford
  • Premier Eye Care
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • UMR
  • United Healthcare
  • VSP
  • WellCare

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(860) 349-2323