Dry Eye Treatment in Northfield, MN
Dry eye is more common than you might think. Millions of people suffer from this uncomfortable condition, but did you know that a proper diagnosis can bring you lasting relief? River Valley Eye Professionals offers a range of advanced treatment options beyond simple eye drops to improve your quality of life.
Understanding The Basics
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Understanding The Basics
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome (DES) occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort. This condition can make your eyes feel gritty and irritated. There are two main types of dry eye:
- Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This type occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough watery fluid (aqueous humor) to keep your eyes moist.
- Evaporative Dry Eye: This type happens when the tears evaporate too quickly because of inflammation of the glands in your eyelids, called the meibomian glands.
The Root Causes of Dry Eye
Various factors can cause dry eye. Common causes include:
- Aging: Tear production decreases as you age.
- Environmental Factors: Wind, smoke, and dry climates can increase tear evaporation.
- Screen Time: Staring at screens for long periods reduces blinking, leading to dry eyes.
- Medications: Certain medications, like antihistamines and antidepressants, can reduce tear production.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders can contribute to the condition.
- Contact Lenses: Long-term use of contact lenses can be a contributing factor.
Common Dry Eye Symptoms
- Do your eyes feel dry, gritty, or sandy?
- Do your eyes often feel tired or sore?
- Do you experience a burning sensation in your eyes?
- Is your vision sometimes blurry, especially after reading or using a computer?
- Do you find it uncomfortable to wear contact lenses?
- Do your eyes often water excessively?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you might be struggling with DES. Schedule an appointment at River Valley Eye Professionals to get started.
Our Dry Eye Diagnosis Procedure
Think of your eyes like a complex puzzle. You need to find all the pieces and see how they fit together to solve it. We use advanced technology to diagnose the root cause of your dry eyes, much like putting together the pieces of a puzzle to reveal the complete picture.
Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to examine your eyes and identify the issues causing discomfort. This detailed understanding helps us create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your needs.
Banish Dry Eye Blues
Lumenis OptiLight IPL Treatment
Lumenis OptiLight is an advanced, non-invasive treatment that provides relief for those suffering from dry eye syndrome. Using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology, it targets the underlying causes of your dry eye, addressing inflammation and improving the function of the meibomian glands.
How Does It Work?
How We Treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
The iLUX® Device applies gentle heat and pressure to your eyelids, melting and expressing the blocked oils from the meibomian glands.
How Does It Work?
Relief at Your Fingertips
Dry Eye Rescue
Products in Northfield
In addition to our advanced treatments, River Valley Eye Professionals offers a range of Dry Eye Rescue products right in our office. These products provide immediate relief and ongoing care. From soothing eye drops to specialized eyelid cleansers, we have everything you need to manage dry eye under one roof.