What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. This can cause irritation, blurred vision, burning, or general discomfort. Contributing factors include aging, screen time, allergies, environment, and certain medical conditions. Early evaluation helps protect the surface of your eye and prevent symptoms from worsening.
Why Choose ProCare Vision Center for Dry Eye Care?
Located in Troy, Ohio, ProCare Vision Center offers advanced diagnostics and treatment options to identify the root cause of your symptoms. We tailor care to your lifestyle whether you work near the Miami County Courthouse, enjoy events at Hobart Arena, or spend weekends walking at Treasure Island Park.
What to Expect During Your Comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluation at ProCare Vision Center
Our eye care team starts every dry eye exam by taking the time to understand what you have been feeling and how long your symptoms have been present. This includes asking about your daily environment, work habits, and any medical conditions that may contribute to dryness or irritation. The goal is to get a clear picture of your challenges so we can tailor the exam to you.
During your evaluation, we assess tear quantity and tear quality, eyelid structure and blink patterns, meibomian gland function, and more. Tests we run during your visit may include:
1. Tear Break Up Time (TBUT)
This test measures how quickly your tears evaporate after a blink. A short break up time indicates an unstable tear film and is often a sign of evaporative dry eye.
2. Schirmer Test
A small strip of paper is placed under your lower eyelid to measure how much tear volume your eyes produce over a few minutes. Low moisture on the strip suggests aqueous deficient dry eye.
3. Meibography
This imaging test allows your doctor to view the structure and health of your meibomian glands. These glands produce the oily layer of your tears, and blockages or gland loss are key causes of dry eye symptoms.
4. Tear Osmolarity Test
This test measures the salt concentration of your tears. High osmolarity means the tear film is imbalanced and often correlates with inflammation and chronic dry eye disease.
5. Ocular Surface Staining
Using harmless dyes like fluorescein or lissamine green, the doctor can see dry spots, damage, or irritation on the eye surface. These patterns help determine the severity and type of dry eye.
Personalized Treatment Options for Your Dry Eye Symptoms
After reviewing your results, we will discuss your symptoms and build a customized plan based on your vision and lifestyle needs. Your care plan may include:
- Targeted warm compress therapy and eyelid hygiene
- IPL therapy to reduce inflammation
- Meibomian gland expression
- Prescription eye drops or lubricants
- Environmental and lifestyle recommendations
We choose treatments based on what will best support your comfort and long term eye health. Our goal is to help you feel real improvement quickly while supporting long term eye comfort.
Proudly Serving Troy and Surrounding Communities
ProCare Vision Center is proud to support patients throughout the Troy area including neighborhoods near the Troy Public Square, Museum of Troy History, and Hobart Arena. As a long standing part of the community, we understand the needs of our neighbors and provide comprehensive optometric care that reflects our commitment to our many patients in the area.Dry Eye FAQ
What symptoms suggest I may have dry eye?
Dry eye may cause burning, itching, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a gritty sensation.
Can dry eye be cured?
While there is no permanent cure, most patients find long term relief with consistent, personalized treatment.
How long does a dry eye appointment usually take?
A full evaluation typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes depending on testing.
Do you treat patients of all ages for dry eye?
Yes. Dry eye can affect teens through older adults and our team adjusts care to each age group.
Is treatment for my dry eye symptoms covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for dry eyes varies by plan. Our staff can review your benefits and help you understand your options.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation
If dry, irritated eyes are affecting your daily comfort, we are here to help. Visit our location page at ProCare Vision Center to schedule your appointment.
