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Dry Eye Treatment in St. Louis

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 - Mackenzie 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis

Our optometry practice in St. Louis

Photograph of Alexa  Kojima
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
Patient Reviews
4.8
218 Reviews
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- May. 13, 2024
This center has been so quick and so pleasant compared to anywhere I’ve been! I will definitely co... ntinue coming here!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Great Dr. and staff. I told them exactly what I needed and they were super helpful. I bought the fir... st pair they showed me 😁
- Feb. 19, 2024
Great service with friendly staff and quality products.
- Feb. 19, 2024
They went above and beyond to help me. I am vey thankful for their help and kindness!
- Jan. 26, 2024
Marsha and Lauren were so unbelievably helpful today! I've been a patient at this location for about... 5 years and hands down. This is the best service I've ever received! The optometrist is great, friendly, and quite approachable with questions and concerns. There is another lady whose brusque manner doesn't vibe with mine, and magically, she wasn't here today! I was able to get my exam, have a great selection of frames picked out for me, and be out the door in under 30 minutes. I can't wait to pick up my new frames! Thanks again Marsha and Lauren!
- Jan. 14, 2024
Very pleasant experience.
- Dec. 25, 2023
Dr. Alexa Kojima and her staff at Crown Vision were amazing from the moment we stepped into her busi... ness until we clarified our orders for our updated prescriptions. I had been searching for another OD since my previous one's company started over billing, incorrectly billing for covered procedures, and not being able to correct them with assistance from my insurance. It was frustrating to say the least. Dr. Kojima and Crown Vision has been a blessing. She acknowledged my distance vision improved and no longer required for driving...I stopped using my glasses due to fuzziness. The blurring vision was due to better eyesight and not decreased vision! Woohoo! My husband was checked for his cataract progress and was assured they were minor and would not require surgery any time in the near future...hereditary condition at a younger age runs in his family. He updated his readers and I updated my readers and contacts. No more dry eye and discomfort with wearing them! She listened to my concerns and found a brand version that allowed continuous moisture/breathing instead of having to use eye drops throughout the day. Thorough testing and knowledgeable staff makes Crown Vision and Dr. Alexa Karina our "go-to" OD from now onward!
- Dec. 08, 2023
Very helpful and didn't have to wait, took time to help with everything and explain everything to me... , awesome.
- Nov. 07, 2023
The service was smooth sailing. This is an organized business. They were professional and honest.
- Aug. 05, 2023
Staff were very friendly, supportive and helpful. Staff took time to answer questions and help me pi... ck out my first pair of glasses! Enjoyed my experience here and would recommend!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Outstanding experience! Everyone was very nice and wonderful to interact with. No upselling and pric... es are very reasonable. Thank you!
- Jun. 12, 2023
My first contact was with Sunny - and lives up to her name. What a ray of sunshine! Dr. Alexa was g... reat too. Best eyewear I've ever had. Love my glasses but most of all, love my Crown store! Sunny & Alexa are the Best!
- May. 06, 2023
The staff were very nice and helpful. They made sure I was happy with my glasses 🤓.
- Jan. 02, 2023
Everyone is so nice!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Dr. Kajima was kind and answered all of my questions. I wasn’t... pressured to buy glasses there either. I would recommend this place to anyone!
- Dec. 15, 2022
Been going here for a few years. Definitely recommend. Doctor is friendly and upbeat, staff is alway... s professional and friendly. Can't ask for more.
- Oct. 20, 2022
Staff was great. Extremely helpful and very friendly and informative. My glasses were ready for pick... up only 2 days after my exam. Definitely recommend!!!!!
- Aug. 06, 2022
Best getting glasses experience ever.
- Aug. 01, 2022
They are friendly and my son glasses came back very quickly
- Jul. 26, 2022
Everyone was friendly and welcoming.

View All 218 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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