Vision Therapy in Lacey

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(360) 459-3333

Understanding the Symptoms

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and its symptoms can vary in severity. It's crucial to recognize the signs of dry eye early to seek appropriate treatment and improve your eye health and comfort.

man with sore eyes


Common Symptoms to Look Out For

woman with red eyes

Experiencing dry eye symptoms can greatly affect your daily life and overall health. These symptoms can disrupt your work, hobbies, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks comfortably.

The constant discomfort and distraction caused by these symptoms can lower your productivity and overall quality of life. 

Here are common signs that may indicate dry eye syndrome:

  • Dryness:
    A persistent sensation of dryness, grittiness, or eye irritation.
  • Itching:
    Frequent itching or a burning sensation in and around the eyes.
  • Redness:
    Bloodshot or red eyes, often accompanied by discomfort.·
  • Excessive Tearing:
    Paradoxically, your eyes may produce more tears as a response to dryness, leading to watery eyes.
  • Blurry Vision:
    Vision may become temporarily blurred, particularly when reading or using digital screens.
  • Light Sensitivity:
    Increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.
  • Foreign Body Sensation:
    Feeling as though something is in your eye.
  • Eye Fatigue:
    Increased eye fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of reading, screen time, or other visually demanding tasks.

Ignoring dry eye symptoms can lead to worsening discomfort and potential complications. Chronic dry eye can damage the eye's surface and increase the risk of eye infections, scarring, and vision loss. Seeking professional guidance if you're experiencing any of these symptoms is crucial.


Dry Eye Diagnosis and Expert Care

When you choose Hawk's Prairie Vision Clinic for your dry eye care, you benefit from our expertise in comprehensive diagnosis. We understand that your unique health history and lifestyle can affect your dry eye differently, which is why we practice personalized care tailored to you. Our approach includes:

  • In-Depth Eye Exams

    During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate your eyelids, eye surface, and your complete health history and lifestyle to identify potential underlying causes of dry eyes.

  • Tear Assessment

    We conduct a detailed assessment of your tears, measuring their volume and quality. This assessment helps us identify any deficiencies in tear quantity or quality, crucial factors in dry eye diagnosis.

  • Tear Breakup Time

    Using advanced techniques like tear breakup time measurement, we identify specific areas of your eyes where tears may evaporate more rapidly. This information aids in tailoring your treatment plan.

  • Specialized Dry Eye Test: Schirmer Test

    This test involves placing blotting test paper strips on the lower eyelids to measure tear production over a specific time. It helps determine the volume of tears your eyes produce.

Patient Reviews
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502 Reviews
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- Aug. 25, 2025
I highly recommend this place. Dr. Durham is the best! Great care and I always get some laughs I nev... er knew I needed. Thanks again Dr. D....you rock!!
- Aug. 20, 2025
An incredible full service vision clinic. From medical issues to glasses, they do a great job.
- Aug. 13, 2025
Efficient and friendly service!
- Aug. 07, 2025
Great vision care here with Dr Piranio. He is friendly and makes patients comfortable. Quick and e... asy, highly recommended.
- Jul. 29, 2025
Professionals at their best.
- Jul. 29, 2025
Dr. Durham is a great optometrist that I highly recommend. She is professional and kind. She graciou... sly answered all of my questions and explained in a way I could understand.
- Jul. 25, 2025
Such a great experience. They got me in a little early so I had no waiting at all. Personable people... who obviously love what they do.
- Jul. 12, 2025
They are a bunch of sweethearts and they care and we don't have enough of that in this world today I... 'd recommend them 100%
- Jul. 02, 2025
Very helpful
- Jun. 11, 2025
Everyone is amazing
- Jun. 11, 2025
I love coming in for my visits with Dr Durham! She is so friendly and knowledgeable. I have been see... ing this office since I moved to the area 9 years ago, and will continue to do so for all my vision needs. They also have a nice optical department in house, and have always had great luck with my glasses. Would highly recommend making an appointment here
- Jun. 05, 2025
Caring, personal treatment
- May. 21, 2025
I am a return client with Hawks Prarie vision. I will continue to use them for all of my eye care. M... ichelle was very thorough and friendly. Changes in my vision were explained to my understanding. I also received great help from Katie in their front office picking out and getting measured for sunglasses. She was great at helping me stay on budget. I highly recommend!
- May. 21, 2025
Wonderful staff to work with everyone. This is one facility that I would only love to attend. Staf... f great for making sure your information is up to date, seeing and identifying your vision and proper fitting for your eye wear.
- May. 09, 2025
Very attentive and offered options
- Apr. 30, 2025
I have been going there for years, when it was at the other location. I really like the staff, they ... don't talk down to you. They will explain everything that you don't understand. They also don't rush you in and out. I have always had great experience, down size is, its hard to get appointments soon might take months, so that tell you they are awsome.
- Apr. 24, 2025
Staff and doctors are friendly, share info freely, explain any issues fully, make sure I understand ... completely.
- Apr. 22, 2025
Great communication, great care.
- Apr. 12, 2025
Great team from the minute you walk in the door to the caring and super knowledgeable doctor. Small ... but mighty eye and vision care provider.
- Apr. 06, 2025
Best eye clinic I have found in the Olympia/Lacey area. They listen and they take their time to ensu... re that your prescription is correct. They are respectful and friendly. I have been going here for years and have never had a problem.

View All 502 Reviews

Dry Eyes 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

man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At Hawk's Prairie Vision Clinic, our experienced eye care specialists are ready to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms. We understand these symptoms' impact on your daily life and are committed to improving your eye health and comfort.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your dry eye symptoms. Let's work together to find the most suitable treatment and enhance your quality of life.

(360) 459-3333