Dry Eyes
Dry eye disease is a condition that affects your health, comfort, and vision. It occurs when your tears can't lubricate the eye properly.
Fortunately, there are several possible treatments for this condition, so finding relief is possible!
See how the doctors at Progressive Eye Care in South Jordan, UT, can provide you with a customized treatment plan.
Progressive Eye Care is proud to serve patients throughout South Jordan, UT, Sandy, UT, and Draper, UT.
The Benefits of Treating Dry Eyes
Improved Comfort
Having dry eyes is uncomfortable and can lead to inflammation, eye infections, and damage to the surface of the eye. Exploring treatment options and finding one that works for you can improve your overall quality of life.
Better Focus at Work
If your line of work requires you to use a computer for long periods, dry and itchy eyes can impede your ability to work. Dry eye relief can help prevent the discomfort you may feel while trying to focus on your work.
Live a Safer Life
Having dry eyes can ultimately be dangerous, as it can result in impaired vision. If you have to drive for long periods for work or travel, you may be putting yourself and others at risk. Treating your dry eyes can improve your vision and your ability to drive, especially at night.
Find Relief for Your Dry Eyes WITH OUR DOCTORS SERVING SOUTH JORDAN, SANDY, AND DRAPER
Drs. Jeff Broadhead, Michael T. Chism, and Francis J. Wapner of Progressive Eye Care understand that dry eyes can inhibit your ability to work comfortably and enjoy your favorite activities. We are committed to tailoring treatment that is specific to your needs.
Our doctors can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and provide dry eye treatment based on the specifics of your condition. We use advanced technology to help our patients throughout South Jordan, Sandy, and Draper find both immediate and lasting relief from this common concern.
If you're interested in hearing more about how we can provide relief for dry eyes, request a consultation with our contact form or call our office in South Jordan, UT:
(801) 506-6727
5-Star Reviews From Our Patients
Susan Newman
2021
I see Dr. Michael Chism regularly about once a month. He’s absolutely the best!!! He’s right on with my dry eye treatment and does an amazing job even going over and above to make sure my treatment is great!!! He’s a super doctor besides friendly fun and outgoing!!! I’m so grateful I found him and would highly him recommend to anyone needing an eye doctor as he’s truly a wonderful doctor and person!
View on GoogleMatthew Wolfsfeld
2021
I was referred to Progressive Eye Care by a family friend. They had said some really great things about the doctors, so I went in with high expectations: They did not disappoint!! The staff was super courteous, they kept ensuring that everything was sanitized and they made the entire process efficient and seamless. I will absolutely be referring others here and coming back year after year.
View on GoogleDry Eye Symptoms
Your specific symptoms will help your doctor determine the cause of your condition and devise an appropriate treatment. Symptoms usually occur in both eyes. The symptoms of dry eye include:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Gritty or sandy feeling
- Sensitivity to light
- Excessive watering
- Blurred vision
- A sensation of having something in your eye
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty driving at night
Even if you don't have all of these symptoms, you may still have dry eye. In addition to these symptoms, many patients who suffer from the condition report experiencing dry eye when on an airplane, while riding a bike, or if they have rheumatoid arthritis.
It may be time to request a consultation with our Utah doctors if your symptoms are persistent.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
Discuss Symptoms
During your consultation, one of our doctors will ask you to discuss your dry eye symptoms. In addition to screening for dry eye symptoms, understanding how you use your eyes can also help our doctors determine the cause and best course of treatment for you. If you use a computer extensively or are a truck driver, inform your doctor because this can help our team personalize a treatment plan that meets your needs and helps you perform your work.
Eye Exam and Diagnosis
To accurately diagnose the cause of your dry eyes, our doctors will first perform a slit lamp examination, which closely examines the surface of the eye. This technique uses a microscope, light source, and dye to help us visualize signs of dryness and assess the quality of your tear film. If necessary, we may perform additional testing using the TearLab® diagnostic system. This advanced type of testing can assess and monitor your tear quality and quantity.
Available Treatment Options
Chronic dry eye is an eye condition that can have many causes. Fortunately, it also has many treatment options. Our Utah doctors in South Jordan can help determine the correct treatment for your unique case.
Lifestyle Changes
You can try to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes by changing some habits, like quitting smoking, using a humidifier in dry seasons, and switching out your contacts for glasses. Tobacco smoke can dry out your eyes, humidifiers can introduce moisture into a dry environment, and glasses can prevent air from blowing into your eyes and keep your tears from evaporating quickly.
Lubrication Therapy
For mild cases of dry eye, the most conservative treatment option consists of introducing over-the-counter artificial tears to lubricate the eyes. If artificial tears alone do not alleviate your symptoms, our eye care doctors will find an alternative solution.
Prescription Eye Drops
Our doctors can prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops that promote tear production rather than simply moistening the eye. RESTASIS® can help increase your tear production by reducing inflammation stemming from chronic dry eye. With consistent use, it can stimulate the eyes' natural tear production. We also commonly prescribe Xiidra® eye drops to reduce dry eye signs and symptoms in as little as two weeks.
Punctal Plugs
If your dry eye symptoms persist after lubrication therapy and prescription eye drops, we may recommend punctal plugs. During this safe and effective outpatient procedure, one of our doctors will place small, biocompatible plugs into the tear ducts of your upper and lower eyelids to help your tears moisten your eyes more effectively and to conserve any artificial tears you may be using.
Amniotic Membranes
For patients with severe cases of dry eye, we may place an amniotic membrane on the cornea using PROKERA® or BioDOptix® technology. These devices look similar to a large contact lens and can simultaneously reduce inflammation and heal the cornea.
Treat Other Eye Conditions
If your dry eye is linked to another condition like blepharitis, our doctors can use an in-office treatment like BlephEx® to gently clear away the biofilm along the lashes on the eyelids. By clearing away debris along the eyelids, your meibomian glands, the oil glands along the edge of your eyelids, can better produce the oil that keeps your tears from evaporating too quickly.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
If you exhaust all other options, you may have meibomian gland dysfunction, in which case our doctors may recommend intense pulsed light to treat your condition. IPL therapy uses light that is converted into heat to warm up the meibomian glands in the eyelids to improve their functionality.
If we decide on a treatment plan that doesn't appear to be working, our doctors can make adjustments until you find relief.
Will Insurance Cover Dry Eye Treatment? YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EYE CARE
Many people who suffer from dry eye believe that their insurance prohibits them from visiting an eye doctor more than once per year, preventing them from receiving this life-changing treatment. Fortunately, your medical insurance can contribute to covering medical conditions such as dry eye disease, including paying for your treatment and office visits to our South Jordan, UT, practice.
"I am really impressed with Progressive Eye Care."
Emily Gonzalez
2021
I am really impressed with Progressive Eye Care. I walked in as a new patient and walked out feeling like I was a great friend. The staff was so polite, friendly and very welcoming. They made sure I felt comfortable and answered all and any questions I had.
View on GoogleOfa Makaui
2021
Such a great team they have here. Everyone so kind, friendly, caring & very professional as well. I'd highly recommend Progressive Eye Care. They took good care of me especially my eye Dr he had me in and out & I'm very satisfied!!
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