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Dry Eye Treatment in Southside

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 A1A Family EyeCare for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 Southside 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 Southside

Our optometry practice in Southside

Photograph of James A. Horning
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
Patient Reviews
4.6
97 Reviews
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- Nov. 28, 2023
Dr. Joly is the best! She is very thorough, incredibly knowledgable, and kind/compassionate/caring. ... I would highly recommend her to anyone!
- Nov. 08, 2023
A1A Eye Care have the best staff in town and great Doctors. They take care of my whole family and ha... ve done so for years now. Friendly and knowledgeable and take time for each person to not only explain whats going on with your eyes and to also answer any questions you have. Very much a family atmosphere when you are there, no one better in town!!!
- Oct. 20, 2023
I’m so appreciative for being able to be seen here. Firstly, of the women at the front desk and th... e MAs are so sweet and they’re extremely well organized. They even called me before to confirm details so that my check in process was smooth. Dr. Joly is a really skilled physician with a great bedside manner, and she gave me a very thorough exam. She was also really empathetic and took the time to explain things and make sure I knew what to do for my eye. They even squeezed me in for a close follow up even though I know they’re extremely booked. I’m so grateful for their help!
- Oct. 19, 2023
Always a great experience! The staff is great with my two kids.
- Sep. 20, 2023
Dr horning is 👍 great.
- Sep. 13, 2023
Everyone is always friendly and knowledgeable. I had a stroke and my vision has suffered so I took t... he classes and they helped. Plus Dr. Horning is always wonderful. Very thankful for my experience.
- Sep. 03, 2023
Awesome service! Doctors are component and staff was super helpful 🙂
- Aug. 21, 2023
Both Dr Horning and office staff were friendly, kind, engaging knowledgable, efficient, and very he... lpful. Really impressive!
- Aug. 11, 2023
Front desk staff, Abbie (sp?) and Dr. Joly were just amazing! Love this office.
- Jun. 25, 2023
Best eye care facility ever. I have been going here for years and they are always very vigilant abou... t my eye health due to medical issues.
- Jun. 19, 2023
Dr Horning is an exceptional provider and his staff is great too!
- Jun. 15, 2023
Kids with disabilities are treated with kindness and respect!
- May. 25, 2023
This place is great! I know I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to glasses and contacts bu... t every time I go, everyone there is patient and kind. The front staff took the time to figure out and check my insurance when I had no information with me and no idea where it was through. They were able find it and save me hundreds of dollars. The tech who took me in for the prelim testing was kind and funny and patient with my eye “issues” (I hate things close to my eyes) and was able to successfully perform all duties without me hyperventilating. lol Dr mattox was very nice and took the time to talk about my past script and my new script and was able to answer all my questions regarding contacts . She was the first to find some where I could actually see out of instead of blaming my condition. I didn’t purchase glasses this last visit simply because my prescription didn’t change enough to warrant the cost. I’ve bought glasses from them before (during COVID) and ended up not liking how they looked once the mask was off and they were nice enough to let me swap them out. A complete redo without a hassle. I Highly recommend the office.
- May. 12, 2023
I love everything and everyone at A1A Family EyeCare! I recommend them to everyone!
- Apr. 21, 2023
Great care I grace this provider a 10 +
- Apr. 11, 2023
Dr. Brown is always great but recently, she went above and beyond when I had an issue. Hard to find ... that these days!!
- Mar. 18, 2023
Good and attentive staff . Dr. Horning is a good doctor.
- Mar. 13, 2023
Dr. Horning is skilled, thorough, patient, and polite. Highly recommend.
- Nov. 11, 2021
I came in and was seen before I could even finish the intake paper work! The service was extremely f... ast and the staff was so friendly.
- Mar. 29, 2021
Outstanding service in a beautiful setting. The staff and Doctor were professional and polite. This ... was my first eye exam in more years than i care to share. My outcome was great and I credit everyone for making me feel like i mattered. The visit, frames and lenses were easily affordable. I highly recommend A1A Family Eyecare and VSP vision insurance.

View All 97 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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