Dry Eye Disease Is More than Just a Nuisance
How often do you think about your eyes? Probably rarely unless they’re hurting you. The painful, irritating symptoms of dry eye disease are certainly enough to make you pause and consider your sight.
Dry eye disease symptoms are not only annoying but can hamper productivity and seriously decrease the quality of life for many Americans. It’s hard to get things done or enjoy fun activities with itchy, burning eyes.
During your annual eye exam, we’ll ask you about any dryness or irritation. Of course, if your eyes are dry and uncomfortable, don’t wait until your next exam to seek relief. At Family Focus Eyecare, we have several treatment methods for dry eye disease. So please book your eye care appointment today.
Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease
If you have any of the following symptoms, dry eye disease might be the culprit:
- Red eyes
- Itchy or stinging sensation
- Watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Foreign body sensation
- Stringy mucus
- Difficulty driving at night
If left untreated, dry eye disease can lead to more serious vision conditions like corneal ulcers, eye infections, eye inflammation, or corneal abrasions.
You’ll want to get a comprehensive eye exam if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of dry eye disease. Your optometrist can rule out any eye diseases that may present with similar symptoms.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is pretty much what it sounds like—eyes that are not properly lubricated. There are several reasons why your eyes might lack moisture.
Decreased Tear Production
If your eyes don’t produce enough tears, you might end up with dry eye disease. Reasons for decreased tear production might include:
- The normal aging process
- Medications like antihistamines or antidepressants
- Contact lens wear
- Medical conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Nerve damage caused by eye surgery
- Vitamin A deficiency
Increased Tear Evaporation
Poor-quality tears can lead to increased tear evaporation. Your tears are made up of 3 main components: oil, water, and mucus. Each layer is responsible for something different.
The water layer lubricates the eye, the mucus layer helps to spread the water layer over the entire eye to keep it moist, and the oil layer prevents water from evaporating too quickly. An imbalance in any of these components can lead to dry eye disease.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
The oil layer of your tears comes from the tiny, oil-secreting glands that line the eyelids. These are called the meibomian glands.
Blocked meibomian glands don’t secrete enough quality oil to keep your tears from evaporating, leading to a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction.
Meibomian gland dysfunction might happen alongside blepharitis, a condition in which the eyelids become inflamed and irritated. This inflammation can lead to blocked meibomian glands, creating a circular problem.
Other Considerations
Lifestyle and situational factors can also play a role in dry eye disease. Smoky or windy environments and very dry climates don’t help sufferers. Computer usage can also play a role—digital eye strain contributes to dryness.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
At Family Focus Eyecare, we know a thing or 2 about dry eye disease and offer various treatment methods. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is an option for people whose dry eye disease is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.
Originally developed for use in dermatology, IPL uses light energy to warm the meibomian glands. This gentle warming liquefies any blockages, softening them so they can be expressed. The light targets the blood vessels around the eye, decreasing inflammation.
We’ll evaluate your specific situation and adjust the light, wavelength, and duration of treatment accordingly.
IPL therapy offers several benefits:
- Noninvasive
- Very few complications
- Results that can be maintained
- Well-tolerated by most people
Other Treatment Options
We can also recommend different types of eye drops that might help relieve your dry eye disease symptoms. Gels like Refresh Celluvisc are good for more moderate cases of dryness, while supplements like EyePromise EZ Tears can also be effective.
Preservative-free products are our preferences, like Oasis Tears Plus, which can help to moisten and lubricate your eyes.
No matter what the case of your dry eye disease, we can offer tailored solutions. Please book your appointment with Family Focus Eyecare today.
Visit One of Our Locations
Columbia
We are in Westbury-1.5 miles further west from our old W. Broadway location, near Toasty Goat and the new Club Carwash
- 725 S. Scott Blvd Suite 101
- Columbia, MO 65203
Our Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: By Appointment
- Sunday: By Appointment
Eldon
Our Eldon location is on Oak Street, two blocks north of the post office and between North and High Street.
- 115 N Oak St
- Eldon, MO 65026
Our Hours
- Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: By Appointment
- Sunday: By Appointment
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Our Testimonials
Dr. Rich is extremely helpful and thoughtful. He cleared up my eye issues within one appointment and even allowed for texts to assess after the appointment. I had been going to a specialist in Columbia for a year and they didn’t even compare to how great Family Focus Eyecare was!
Erin Scrivner
Dr. Barrett is knowledgeable, friendly and practical, I have gone to her for years and trust her. The office staff is great, they are willing to help and make appointments when you need care quickly.
Pamela Didur
The Family Focus Eyecare team is amazing! They really make you feel like home the second you walk through the door. My husband and I both have been very pleased and highly recommend them to anyone in the Columbia area!
Katie Beasley
Twice now, the staff at FFEC have gone above and beyond to help me see clearly. One time I had a contact lens come out while I was driving. It gave me a migrane, and I drove around in desperation trying to find an eye exam since my prescription was expired…. After being turned away in an EMPTY waiting room at the WalMart vision center, and not even being offered a sample pair till an an appointment could be set… I called FFEC and they not only had me come right over, they squeezed me in between two clients, gave me replacement contacts, and informed me my insurance would cover everything because they looked up my plan details for me!! (I didnt even know I had vision coverage). What an exceptional team and business!!!! I was so thankful. This might be the first review I have ever taken the time to write.
Dorian Brownlee
I had a great experience!! Very knowledgeable staff and excited about the new contact lens options! Highly recommend!
Rhonda Bledsoe
Dr. Rich was so great with our 3 year old son! He was patient and sweet. This was during COVID and they were very careful with masks and cleaning. I plan to go back myself and so does my husband.
Amanda Fisher
I had an acute eye problem and FFE was able to get me in within a few days where other places were months out. They diagnosed the problem quickly and I was on my way feeling relieved that I would soon be headache free.
Kasie Sly
The entire team was friendly, efficient and helpful throughout my entire experience. Best customer service experience I’ve had with an eye doctor in Columbia. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Sarah Carnes
Best of the best! Very quick and courteous. No wasted time and the prices seem very fair for the services rendered. One of my biggest concerns was picking frames and they made it painless. Very pleased, I recommend them without hesitation!
Steve Baumann
Dr. Rich is by far the best eye doctor I have ever met! They went above and beyond to help me find the right pair of frames for me. I get compliments every time I wear them. No matter where I live I will always see Dr Rich for my eye care. I moved to STL and I still make the 2 hour drive to meet with him – totally worth it.
Walter Juarez
Dr. Rich is fantastic! My last eye exam has been years ago and this is my first visit at Family Focus Eyecare. I was immediately impressed with the attentive staff as you walk in, not only were the friendly but also extremely efficient getting me started and keeping me on time. The lobby area is pleasant and has a nice new feel to it. Because this was my first visit I had to go through the typical tests for them to examine my eyes and their technology & equipment are top-notch, it was so easy. Once I met with Dr. Rich he explained everything clearly and especially took the time to ask me many questions about my eyes, habits, difficulties and things I felt needed his attention. After consulting with him thoroughly and running numerous tests I was given a LOWER prescription! He was able to determine my contacts were too strong and what was causing my vision to not be perfect. Everything about my experience was perfect and I highly recommend Dr. Rich and Family Focus Eyecare!
John Sorensen
The staff is so friendly, helpful and very accommodating for kids. My girls are sad that they only get to go once a year.
Joy Lowe
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Columbia
- 725 S. Scott Blvd Suite 101
- Columbia, MO 65203
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P: 573-446-1600
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Eldon
- 115 N Oak St
- Eldon, MO 65026
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P: 573-392-7126