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Dry Eye Treatment in Alton

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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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 Crown Vision Center - Alton for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

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Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

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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 Alton 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 Treatment in Alton

Our optometry practice in Alton

Photograph of Christina Levi
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Nov. 24 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Metlife
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
Patient Reviews
4.6
387 Reviews
5
4
3
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1
- Nov. 12, 2023
Great place
- Oct. 31, 2023
Great experience!! Everyone was very nice! Very efficient! Definitely will recommend to others!!
- Oct. 04, 2023
The gals, a Crown are fantastic! They are always extremely helpful and I’ve never had an issue
- Sep. 29, 2023
Awesome staff and very knowledgeable Managment
- Sep. 28, 2023
The service was amazing, very great staff this location have!!
- Aug. 02, 2023
Excellent service and knowledgeable staff. Took about as long as expected.
- Jul. 20, 2023
Great service. Great staff, and happy with my glasses.
- Jul. 15, 2023
The staff is always friendly, and the service I received has always been great.
- Jul. 11, 2023
The doctors are caring and professional. The staff is thoughtful and helpful.
- Jul. 04, 2023
My son had a great experience here. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the doctor was thorough ... and awesome at helping children.
- Jun. 15, 2023
Great service and staff that and they take Medicaid
- Jun. 11, 2023
Friendly staff great service
- May. 19, 2023
The receptionist was very sweet nice and friendly. This is the BEST place to go for your glasses
- May. 19, 2023
The wait time wasn't that long at all and they were very helpful .
- Mar. 10, 2023
They were very helpful and got me taken care of very quickly when my last vision center, Rose Optica... l, stopped providing glasses for Medicaid patients.
- Feb. 17, 2023
The workers were very friendly, answered questions, got us in and out pretty quickly, and the Dr was... great with my younger kiddos
- Feb. 07, 2023
Great friendly staff, and individualized service.
- Jan. 15, 2023
Very friendly staff and helpful
- Jan. 14, 2023
Friendly/professional service as always. Would highly recommend to anyone.
- Jan. 10, 2023
I'm very satisfied with everything when I go to Crown

View All 387 Reviews

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

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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