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Dry Eye Treatment in Kirksville

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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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 International Eyecare Center - Kirksville for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

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Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

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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 Kirksville 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 Treatment in Kirksville

Our optometry practice in Kirksville

Photograph of Tara  Guinn
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 Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicare
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • Metlife
  • Medicaid
Patient Reviews
4.7
343 Reviews
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- Mar. 10, 2023
Dr. Tara Guinn is simply awesome and the whole IEC team is wonderful!
- Mar. 04, 2023
I've been going to IEC since 2000. Always great service, eyeglass lens prescriptions always accurat... e. Only issue is as an adult with small head, need kids size eyeglasses, and rarely a good selection to fit me to choose from. Eyeglass techs are not well trained to help choose eye glass frames to fit your features, not honest how glasses look on me. Comments on them rarely positive, but learned to accept how I look out of necessity.
- Feb. 08, 2023
Great treatment.
- Feb. 03, 2023
Everyone was helpfully and friendly!
- Jan. 09, 2023
Great service great Dr’s and staff!
- Jan. 08, 2023
The staff is always helpful and friendly
- Dec. 28, 2022
I was diagnosed with fast progressing cataracts from the high dose steroids I've had this year due t... o two MS flares. The doctor was very kind and explained the details of my condition.
- Dec. 09, 2022
Dr. Page is the kind of doctor that listens and gives a thorough explanation of your exam. He is kin... d and has a good, friendly staff. I highly recommend him.
- Nov. 01, 2022
Excellent physicians & staff.
- Oct. 03, 2022
Friendly service. Fast to get glasses.
- Sep. 25, 2022
Fantastic service! The staff was highly efficient and respectful. There was no long wait but they ... did take time to explain everything to me in great detail.
- Sep. 22, 2022
Everyone was very kind, answered any questions I had and in explanation I could understand. Prices w... ere affordable.
- Sep. 09, 2022
Love the whole experience tbh and my bot can finally see far away and Hes absolutely stoked
- Sep. 01, 2022
Follow up on cataract surgery. Staff was on time with appointment, and all involved including Dr. Pa... ge were very friendly, explained procedure so as I could understand what was going on.
- Aug. 25, 2022
The staff was extremely courteous and professional.
- Jul. 30, 2022
I received great service from Dr. Adler and all staff. I recommend IEC for all your eyecare needs!!
- Jul. 07, 2022
I love the frame selection. Very friendly and professional service.
- May. 21, 2022
Staff are very helpful when ordering contacts and glasses!
- May. 20, 2022
Overall good experience. Would have been nice if the lady who gave me the eye test had told me her ... name.
- May. 18, 2022
Always have great experiences with Dr. Page and he always has an answer to my questions!!

View All 343 Reviews

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

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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