Chronic Dry Eye Treatment at Dau Family Eye Care
At Dau Family Eye Care, we understand the persistent irritation, burning, or scratchiness associated with chronic dry eye. This condition can be frustrating and interfere with daily life, and we are dedicated to providing specialized Dry Eye Syndrome care to our patients throughout the Saint Johns FL and Fruit Cove FL communities. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and create a lasting solution.
Your eyes will receive a thorough analysis from one of our three experienced optometrists: Dr. Jordan Dau, Dr. Jennifer Balo, or Dr. Ariella Poon. This comprehensive evaluation allows us to build a customized care plan designed for your specific needs and long-term ocular health.
Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry Eye Syndrome, also known as dry eye disease, is a common and often chronic condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly.
Tears are essential for maintaining the health of the front surface of your eye (the cornea) and for providing clear vision. A healthy tear film is complex, consisting of three distinct layers:
- An Oily (Lipid) Layer: The outermost layer, produced by the meibomian glands in your eyelids. It smooths the tear surface and prevents tears from evaporating.
- A Watery (Aqueous) Layer: The middle layer, produced by the lacrimal glands. This layer washes away debris and nourishes the cornea.
- A Mucus (Mucin) Layer: The innermost layer. It helps spread the watery layer evenly over the eye's surface and helps the tears "stick" to the eye.
A disruption in any of these three layers can cause tear dysfunction. This instability leads to inflammation, irritation, and potential damage to the eye's surface.
While anyone can experience temporary dryness from factors like prolonged screen use or dry air, chronic dry eye is a persistent medical condition. It requires professional diagnosis and management to prevent complications and restore comfort.
Common Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome
The symptoms of dry eye can range from mild, occasional irritation to severe, constant discomfort that impacts your daily activities. If you regularly experience any of the following, we recommend scheduling an evaluation:
- A persistent feeling of dryness, grittiness, or scratchiness, like sand is in your eye
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Redness or inflammation of the eyes
- Excessive watering or tearing
- Blurred or fluctuating vision, especially when reading or driving
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
- Eye fatigue, particularly after using digital screens
Untreated chronic dry eye can, in some cases, lead to damage on the corneal surface, increase the risk of eye infections, and impair your vision.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Understanding the potential causes of your dry eye is the first step toward effective treatment. The condition is often multifactorial, meaning several factors may contribute at once. Our doctors will conduct a detailed consultation to review these factors with you.
Age and Hormonal Factors
- Aging: Tear production naturally decreases as we get older. Dry eye is particularly common among individuals over 50.
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations related to pregnancy, menopause, or the use of oral contraceptives can disrupt the tear film's balance.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
- Climate and Environment: Exposure to wind, smoke, dry air (from air conditioning or heating), and high altitudes can increase tear evaporation.
- Digital Screen Use: Prolonged time spent on computers, smartphones, or tablets often leads to infrequent blinking, which causes dryness and irritation.
- Contact Lens Wear: Long-term or improper wear of contact lenses can contribute to or worsen dry eye symptoms.
Medical and Surgical Factors
- Medications: Many common medications can reduce tear production as a side effect. These include antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medicines.
- Health Conditions: Dry eye is strongly linked to autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Other conditions like diabetes and thyroid disorders can also play a role.
- Previous Eye Surgery: Procedures like LASIK can sometimes cause temporary or, in rare cases, chronic disruption to tear production.
How We Diagnose at Dau Family Eye Care?
At Dau Family Eye Care, diagnosing chronic dry eye involves more than a simple check-up. We utilize advanced techniques to evaluate your tear film and ocular surface health, helping us identify the specific type of dry eye you may have (evaporative, aqueous-deficient, or mixed).
Your evaluation may include:
- Comprehensive Tear Analysis: We measure tear volume and stability.
- Ocular Surface Staining: Special dyes highlight dryness and damage on the cornea and conjunctiva.
- Meibomian Gland Evaluation: We assess your eyelids and oil-producing glands for blockages.
- Detailed Medical History: We review your medical history, medications, and environmental factors that may be affecting your symptoms.
These tests provide a thorough understanding of your condition, enabling us to create an effective, long-term relief plan.
Meet The Doctors
Dr. Jordan Dau, OD
Dr. Dau founded Dau Family Eye Care in 2017 with a vision for a family-focused practice dedicated to clinical excellence. With a background in Biosystems Engineering and a doctorate from the Southern College of Optometry, his key focus areas include ocular disease management, specialty contact lens fitting, and advanced technologies such as Myopia Control and Neurolens. He combines technical expertise with a compassionate approach, ensuring each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs..
Dr. Jennifer Balo, OD
Dr. Balo earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2015. She is highly skilled in primary care, pediatric vision, contact lenses, and the management of ocular disease. Dr. Balo has also participated in international medical mission trips, providing care to underserved populations and demonstrating her commitment to improving vision for all.
Dr. Ariella Poon, OD
Dr. Poon completed her undergraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2023. She has a special interest in pediatric eye care, vision therapy, and specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses and orthokeratology (Ortho-K). Originally from the Philippines, Dr. Poon is known for her warmth, compassion, and dedication to providing exceptional patient care.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you are struggling with dry eye symptoms, you do not have to live with the discomfort. Contact Dau Family Eye Care to schedule your comprehensive dry eye evaluation. We serve patients from our two convenient locations in Saint Johns, FL and Fruit Cove FL
Schedule your consultation today by calling (904) 713-2020.
