woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Vestal

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(607) 722-2020

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 Roberts Eyecare Associates - Vestal for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

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 Vestal 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

Meet our Dry Eyes Specialists

Michael Christensen O.D.

Patient Reviews

- Oct. 11, 2024

Sigh....I don't even know where to begin. My wife and I had an AWFUL experience at another eyecare ... Show Morecenter. I won't name names, but it was right down the road, and I gotta say: after receiving care there, my wife's Vision just doesn't Work(s). The long story made short, we waited a month for what turned out to be a telehealth appointment, which resulted in an improper Rx for my wife. If you call their office, you are sent to a robot call center, never to the actual brick&mortar place itself. So, customer service was horrendous, non-local, and entirely unethical. Then, enter Roberts. I called, they answered - as in, one of the FOUR front desk receptionists who breathe oxygen and likely drink water to perform homeostasis - to schedule my wife and I. You walk in and this place is CLEAN, with wooden ACCENTS and I might even dare say to be somewhat FANCY! But, guess what? They take my insurance. Wow. I have been nursing a scratch on my eye for some time, and my wife was experiencing frequent headaches as a result of her Robot Glasses from...the place down the road. Dr. Bakari Samin attended us in the most professional and friendly manner imaginable. No...one cannot actually imagine such levels of professionalism, this man reached deep into his soul to help us feel heard, reassured, and ultimately cured; heard? I'm telling you, come here for the service. I see a lot of 1-2 star reviews on here that only talk about the prices of eyewear. Anyone who is shocked by retail prices in 2024 have been living under a rock! Take your Rx and go elsewhere, they get it! But come HERE for the service. I asked them if they have a robot and telehealth, and several people there said they came to Roberts to work from other Works of Vision because they DON'T do that complete nonsense. I guarantee if folks wrote reviews based on their experience rather than eyewear prices, they would be 5 star reviews. From Dr. Samin to the wonderful receptionists at the front desk, my family was able to regain the sense of dignity lost last year when we were "taken care of" (more like "Taken Out") at....the other place down the street. Again, not naming names, but if your Vision Works, you should be able to see it from Robert's window, and you'll know where to avoid. I think we found our lifelong eyecare team here at Roberts, which has been serving the southern tier since 1911. You can tell based on the decor they are proud Binghamtonians, and hey, so am I. Thank you.