Dry Eye Treatment
Paying for Dry Eye Treatment
When people schedule an appointment at our practice, we want to make sure that their diagnosis and treatment plan is as affordable as possible. Here is what we do to help lower your overall costs and keep care within your budget:
What Can Dry Eye Treatment Relieve?
Chronic dry eyes can be effectively treated with our comprehensive range of treatment options. Patients who undergo care with our eye doctors can achieve relief from:
Dry Eye Treatment Improves Your Health & Appearance
5-Star Google Reviews
chris bland
2021
Dr Gross did my cataract surgery, I highly recommend. I see better that I have for 50 years, him and his staff are excellent.
Read More Google ReviewsJoe Holloway
2020
David and his Team at Deen-Gross Eye Center are the best! If anyone in the area is looking to get Lasik done, I highly recommend them. THANK YOU!
Read More Google ReviewsContact Our Practice
Our ophthalmologists have more than 35 years of combined experience. Dr. David Gross has been in practice for 25 years, and Dr. Jeffrey Nelson has been in practice for 10 years. They can pinpoint the cause of your dry eyes and take your insurance coverage and budget into consideration to develop an effective vision care plan that works for your unique needs.
We serve patients from across Indiana at our state-of-the-art ophthalmology offices in Merrillville and Hobart, IN. Contact us online today to ask a question or request a consultation. You can also reach us by phone:
Why Do I Have Dry Eyes?
The tears are composed of three layers: the water or aqueous layer, which nourishes the eye; the mucous layer, which binds the aqueous layer to the surface of the eye; and the oil layer, which keeps tears from evaporating too quickly. If the balance of these layers is disrupted, it can result in uncomfortable dry eye symptoms. Determining the cause of your dry eyes is critical to finding the most effective approach to care. Generally, there are two causes of dry eyes:
Evaporative Dry Eye
This type of dry eye accounts for the majority of cases. It is caused by a blockage of the meibomian glands, which are tiny oil glands located at the margin of the eyelids near the lashes. If insufficient oil is produced by the meibomian glands, tears evaporate at a much faster rate than normal.
Aqueous Dry Eye
The eyes need a sufficient amount of water and proteins to remain comfortably lubricated. If the lacrimal glands don't produce enough water, the tear film becomes unstable. This results in the surface of the eyes becoming dry, red, and itchy on a daily basis.
Dry Eye Risk Factors
There are many other causes and risk factors for dry eyes, including:
- Advanced age
- Certain medical conditions
- Use of certain medications
- Prior laser eye surgery
- Blepharitis
- Your environment
Dry Eye Treatment
Our eye doctors have experience with multiple medical and surgical options for dry eye. During an exam at one of our offices in Hobart or Merrillville, we can diagnose the condition, determine its cause, and recommend treatment. In many cases, we begin with more conservative and non-invasive options before considering surgery.
Lifestyle Changes
Recommended lifestyle changes may include:
Hot compresses to open up the glands
Antibiotic eyelid scrubs to remove debris and buildup
Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acid supplements like fish oil, which is high in EPA/DHA/GLA and astaxanthin
Consuming a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins