woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment in Lacey

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

(360) 459-3333

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 Hawk's Prairie Vision Clinic for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

man with dry eye sneeze

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 Lacey 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 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
Patient Reviews
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411 Reviews
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- Nov. 27, 2024
Oh my God that Dr Michelle is always happy and she makes me happy she is energized I really like her... and I would recommend her to anyone
- Nov. 13, 2024
Been going here for years because of the excellent service and friendly personnel.
- Nov. 10, 2024
Dr. Michelle Durham is genuine and engages with you.
- Nov. 08, 2024
Hawks Prairie Vision Clinic gives wonderful service. The technicians and doctors have taken great c... are with my eyes for years! I sincerely recommend the clinic. They have a nice selection of frames, as well.
- Nov. 06, 2024
I'm so glad this place exists...
- Oct. 23, 2024
Great staff and eye Dr took time to listen and treat me correctly. I felt very comfortable. Definite... ly will go back and use them for eye care needs.
- Oct. 20, 2024
We have been going here for years, and we will never go anywhere else. The Dr. is amazingly accurate... and he is more than great with kids. My grandson is autistic so I thought it couldn't be done, he enjoyed his experience, and now he is doing better in school. The place is clean and the staff is great! Even with my insurance they don't treat us any different. Love, love, love.
- Oct. 18, 2024
Wonderful experience with Hawk's Prairie Vision Clinic -from check-in to final prescription for glas... ses.
- Oct. 11, 2024
Very welcoming and personable .
- Oct. 06, 2024
I have found Hawk's Prairie Vision Clinic to have quality vision help and great choose of glasses an... d prices. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I will be going back as long as I live in the sound area.
- Oct. 01, 2024
Very professional, they made my 5 year old comfortable and talked her through which frame fit best.
- Oct. 01, 2024
Friendly staff,professional and on tone.
- Sep. 27, 2024
Timely and thorough examination. Been going here for 10 years
- Sep. 26, 2024
They were prompt, friendly and professional
- Sep. 23, 2024
Awesome people and great quality glasses
- Sep. 16, 2024
Melissa helped me fix my glasses that I had stretched the arms on, so that they would sit on my face... properly. She did a great job, and it didn’t cost anything! Front desk staff is friendly and helpful, as well.
- Sep. 12, 2024
Small town feel with high-end quality. Everyone is friendly and professional. I have found my opht... halmology home.
- Sep. 12, 2024
Dr Durham and her staff are the very best! Super friendly, easy to talk to, and truly cares about th... eir patients.
- Sep. 11, 2024
Wife and I have been going for 5 years. Great very friendly clinic.
- Sep. 06, 2024
From setting appointment to Vision exam everyone was knowledgeable and caring!

View All 411 Reviews

Dry Eyes Treatment in Lacey

Our optometry practice in Lacey

Photograph of Michelle  Durham
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • EyeMed
  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Tricare
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MetLife
  • Regence
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • First Choice Health
  • Providence Health Plan
  • Washington Apple Health Medicaid
  • Coordinated Care Ambetter
  • Shasta Health Insurance
  • United Healthcare

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Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

(360) 459-3333