The award-winning team at Four Corners Eye Clinic is committed to providing outstanding, comprehensive eyecare in a compassionate, professional environment.
Appointment RequestMain Office Four Corners Eye Clinic 575 Rivergate Lane #212 Durango, CO 81301 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Satellite Office Farmington Location 3450 E Main St Farmington, NM 87402 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Satellite Office Cortez Location 22 S Beech St Cortez, CO 81321 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Satellite Office Pagosa Springs Location 190 Talisman Dr Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Satellite Office Aztec Location 121 S Main Ave Aztec, NM 87410 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Satellite Office Bayfield Location 49 W Mill St Bayfield, CO 81122 Phone: (970) 259-2202 Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Dry Eye Treatment
Advanced Care of Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease
At our ophthalmology clinic in arid Durango, Colorado, dry eye may be one of the most common conditions we treat. When your eyes feel excessively dry, scratchy, or uncomfortable, it can be tough to focus on much else. At Four Corners Eye Clinic, our award-winning physicians offer a full range of dry eye treatment options, from simple prescription drops to advanced in-office procedures. See why dry eye patients from Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and the entire Four Corners region trust us for their eye care.
What Is Dry Eye?
The name of this condition is pretty self-explanatory: It is an uncomfortable condition that makes the eyes feel noticeably dry. Although dry eye can be a side effect of certain medications or other medical conditions, very often, it develops on its own. Tears play a vital role in eye health, so if you’re struggling with dry eye, it’s important to have your condition medically evaluated and treated.
Types of Dry Eye
Generally speaking, dry eye symptoms can be related to the quality or quantity of tear production. To understand dry eye, it’s important to understand how the eye lubricates itself and the purpose tears serve.
Tears aren’t just salt water. Instead, they contain 3 layers: an outermost oily layer, a watery middle layer, and an innermost mucus-based layer. The mucus layer helps distribute the tear across the eye with each blink, while the oil layer prevents the tear from evaporating too quickly.
Every time you blink, your tears refresh your eyes anew, providing important lubrication and protection from foreign matter. Once the tears have served their purpose, they’re drained through small ducts in the corners of the eyes.
Although 3 different glands around the eyes produce the 3 components of tears, a malfunction in the lacrimal glands, which produce the watery component, is often responsible for dry eye.
Symptoms & Risk Factors
Symptoms of dry eye can be quite varied, but they often include 1 or more of the following:
- Feeling as if you have something in your eye
- Bothersome stinging or burning sensations
- Trouble wearing your contact lenses
- Occasional blurry vision, pain, or redness
- Eyes that are easily fatigued when reading, driving, or working on the computer
Dry eye tends to affect older adults, although it can occur at any age. In addition to certain medications, such as decongestants and antidepressants, dry eye symptoms can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, medical conditions such as diabetes, or environmental and lifestyle factors, including living in a dry or windy climate or spending a lot of time on the computer.
Treatment Options
Although dry eye isn’t typically a sight-threatening condition, it can be quite uncomfortable and lead to infection and other secondary conditions. When you visit Four Corners Eye Clinic, your physician carefully examines your eyes, including the skin surrounding the eyes and the movements your eyes make when you blink. Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, your physician may recommend 1 or a combination of the following treatments:
- Prescription or over-the-counter drops: There are a number of different lubricating eye products on the market today, including drugstore artificial tears and prescription-only products that reduce inflammation in addition to adding moisture. Your physician can recommend the one that’s best for you.
- In-office procedures: Most in-office procedures for dry eye are quick, comfortable, and effective. These range from temporarily plugging the drainage ducts to expressing the glands that produce the oil component of tears. These glands can occasionally become clogged and create dry eye symptoms.
LipiFlow®: This FDA-cleared device works to open and clear the glands that produce the oil needed for a healthy tear film. Four Corners Eye Clinic is the only ophthalmology practice in the area that offers this treatment. By opening the glands and removing blockages, the lipid layer of the eye can function properly. The treatment only takes 12 minutes and feels like a gentle eyelid massage. Results are long-lasting, and most patients continue to experience the benefits for a year or more after treatment.
- Home care: You can take some steps to reduce the symptoms of dry eye on your own. These include making an effort to blink more frequently, especially when you’re working on the computer, investing in high-quality sunglasses that shield your eyes from the wind and sun, and taking care to remove all of your eye makeup and thoroughly wash your face at the end of the day.
Dry Eye Specialists
We offer dry eye patients in Durango, Pagosa Springs, and Cortez, CO, and near Farmington, NM, a comprehensive evaluation to help address the symptoms and the underlying causes of dry eye. We emphasize the importance of patient education and home care to help address your eye care needs. During your dry eye exam, we dedicate additional time to allow us to thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the tear film, identify the contributing factors to your dry eye symptoms, and assess the surface and structure of the eye and surrounding tissue to help properly provide treatment.
If you require specialized care for your dry eye care, including pathology on the ocular surface or surrounding tissue, Linda Rose, M.D., PhD, a cornea and external disease specialist, is available to provide advanced care.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Options
If you require more advanced treatment for dry eye, we offer advanced options to treat more severe cases of dry eye:
- LipiFlow®
- Amniotic membrane placement
- Bandage contact lenses
- Reversible punctual plugs
- Compounded specialty mediations
- Autologous serum
- BOTOX®
Dry Eye Treatment FAQ
How does BOTOX help with dry eyes?
BOTOX injections help alleviate dry eyes by relaxing the muscles around the eyes. This improves tear film distribution and decreases tear evaporation and drainage, providing much-needed relief from dry eye symptoms.
What’s the most effective treatment for dry eyes?
The most effective treatment for dry eyes varies by the individual but often includes a combination of prescription eye drops, in-office procedures like LipiFlow, and lifestyle changes. Consulting with one of our eye specialists is the best way to discover the root cause of your issue so that we can determine the best treatment approach for your specific condition.
What if dry eyes are not responding to eye drops?
If eye drops aren’t working, consult with our eye specialists for other effective treatments, such as LipiFlow, punctal plugs, or prescription medications. We may recommend one or a combination of these in order to bring you relief from dry eyes.
Can you overdo eye drops for dry eyes?
Yes! Overusing eye drops, especially those with preservatives, can cause irritation and exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Following your provider’s recommendations regarding the frequency and type of eye drops is essential.
What makes dry eye symptoms worse?
Factors such as prolonged screen time, dry or windy environments, air conditioning, and certain medications can worsen dry eye symptoms. However, managing these factors can alleviate discomfort.
Will drinking more water help with dry eyes?
Staying hydrated may help alleviate dry eye symptoms but is not a standalone treatment or cure. Proper hydration supports eye and overall health, and it is often necessary to combine it with other treatments.
How do I know when my dry eyes are cause for concern?
Your dry eyes may be a cause for concern if your symptoms persist despite treatment, cause significant discomfort, or affect your daily activities. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s important to be evaluated by one of our experienced eye specialists to prevent potential complications.
How long does a LipiFlow treatment last?
While the procedure itself only takes about 12 minutes, LipiFlow results last a year or longer. Longevity may depend on the severity of your symptoms and how well you follow your aftercare protocol. Visiting us for regular follow-ups helps maintain your results.
Who is not a candidate for LipiFlow?
LipiFlow may not be suitable for patients with active eye infections or other chronic or underlying eye conditions. Additionally, it may not be appropriate for those who recently had eye surgery. Our providers will help you determine if LipiFlow is safe and suitable for your needs.
How long can you keep a bandage contact lens in your eye?
A bandage contact lens is typically worn for a few days to a few weeks, depending on the condition being treated. Your eye doctor will provide specific instructions based on your individual needs.
We want to help you see and feel your very best. Request an appointment online, or call Four Corners Eye Clinic at (970) 259-2202 to schedule your visit.
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