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Dry Eye Treatment in White Bear Lake

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 Birch Lake Eye Clinic 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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake

Our optometry practice in White Bear Lake

Photograph of Brian Grudem
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Patient Reviews
4.9
348 Reviews
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- Sep. 05, 2023
Great care was given to issues with my eyes along with a kind and attentive staff, I would highly re... commend Birch Lake Eye Clinic!
- Aug. 05, 2023
I highly recommend Dr. Lundell & all the staff at Birch Lake Eye Clinic.
- Jul. 31, 2023
Great staff!
- Jun. 12, 2023
Outstanding! went well beyond what I was expecting to accommodate my oddball request in bifocals.
- May. 19, 2023
Very nice environment!! Been going for years
- May. 04, 2023
This clinic - and the personnel all all amazing! I highly recommend it.
- Apr. 22, 2023
Clean, organized, friendly, knowledgeable! A+
- Apr. 18, 2023
Best eye exam ever
- Apr. 06, 2023
Always a pleasant experience
- Apr. 04, 2023
Always amazing service. Personable. I have been going there since I was a kid, and now mine go there... too.
- Mar. 25, 2023
Professional, friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.
- Mar. 17, 2023
Very helpful and pleasant staff and doctors. I would recommend them to anyone.
- Mar. 03, 2023
I've seen Dr Grudem for 15 to 20 years and he is fantastic. I just met Dr. Lucas today and was very ... impressed , I would be very happy to see him if Dr. Grudem was not available .
- Jan. 21, 2023
Dr. Lucas, and the whole staff, have helped our family greatly and treated us with the best care and... respect. Topnotch! We are grateful.
- Jan. 19, 2023
The village eye should be called the happy place.
- Dec. 12, 2022
My family loves the Staff and Dr. Schwantke. They are nice and personable, Always taking the time t... o answer any and all questions my children and I have for them.
- Dec. 12, 2022
Great facility, nice Dr's. best part is with new technology, you don't have to have your eyes dilate... d for most things.
- Dec. 07, 2022
Professional, kind, knowledgeable and fun
- Dec. 05, 2022
Dr. Lucas is one of the best! Birch Lake is a wonderful place to go.
- Dec. 01, 2022
This office has all the latest up-to-date equipment and technology for diagnosing my particular eye ... situation and problem areas. I have been seeing Dr Grudem for over 40 years, so he is like a trusted friend to me.

View All 348 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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