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Dry Eye Treatment in St. Augustine

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 Rowe Family EyeCare 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 St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine

Our optometry practice in St. Augustine

Photograph of James A. Horning
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
Patient Reviews
4.7
79 Reviews
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- Sep. 15, 2023
The staff is cordial knowledgeable and helpful. Dr. Horning is fantastic and very thorough in his ey... e exams. I appreciate his input and his skill. The other day he gave me one of the most complete and thorough eye examinations and assessment are I’ve had in a long time.
- Sep. 14, 2023
Wonderful experience all around. Highly recommended. I’ll be back!
- Sep. 11, 2023
The whole atmosphere of the Rowe office is friendly and helpful. I had gone to a previous eye clinic... that was so busy the staff had no time for anyone. At Rowe they are with you from the moment you walk in till you leave.
- Sep. 02, 2023
Love this office…I’ve been going here for over twelve years…
- Aug. 23, 2023
I was seen quickly, Dr. Brown was thorough & professional, Jaci was the tech that did my work up and... did a great job! Best dr office experience ever!
- Aug. 12, 2023
Thank you Dr. Horning and to your friendly, knowledgeable staff for helping me with my recent eye em... ergency. I was scared, but they put me at ease.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Very through. Dr Brown did a number of tests and explained things as we went along. Final evaluati... on was in terms I could understand. Didn’t try and sell me glasses I didn’t need. Very happy with my experience there.
- Jul. 12, 2023
New staff new doctors and the service was awesome
- Jun. 23, 2023
Dr. Horning is both very knowledgeable and professional. He explains my condition concisely and hel... pfully.
- Jun. 17, 2023
Excellent patient care and courteous staff
- Jun. 09, 2023
Top notch facility. Very competent and professional. We are very happy with the services we receiv... ed here.
- Jun. 02, 2023
Great place to get eye care services.
- May. 26, 2023
Dr. Horning is professional, thorough, and great at what he does. The office is well run. I feel ver... y confident in the care I receive at Rowe Family Eye Care.
- May. 25, 2023
Competent, professional, reasonably priced.
- May. 04, 2023
Dr Brown very efficient,knowledgeable, professional,caring The staff is courteous,professional,promp... t in returning calls.
- Apr. 30, 2023
Comfort, Knoweldable Professional!!!!!!!!
- Apr. 24, 2023
Every one of my 22+ visits have been a 100% positive and worthwhile experience. The staff is knowle... dgeable, friendly, and helpful. Dr. Horning is congenial, genuinely caring, and very thorough. My therapist, Samantha, is phenomenal! Every session is exactly at the level I need. The treatment is varied, and applicable to life skills. The best part of it all is that I am seeing much improvement.
- Apr. 06, 2023
Great staff! Dr.Mattox was the best, so caring and attentive. I truly appreciate how much attention ... she gave me and worked to address my concerns.
- Apr. 01, 2023
Therapist is amazing in every way!
- Mar. 20, 2023
Love Dr Horning

View All 79 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

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Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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