AskA Doctor Winter in Minnesota: Dry air.Dry skin.Dry eyes. Every fall and winter, Minnesotans can count on the weather turning cold, our furnaces turning on, and the air turning dry. Along with this dry air comes dry skin, cracked hands, and dry EYES. the What is dry eye syndrome? Some people do not produce enough tears (or the appropriate quality of tears) to protect the eyes and keep them moist. This condition is known as dry eye. If you have mild or borderline dry eye, this condition can become much worse as the air dries out in fall and winter. Jen Keller O.D. What are the symptoms of dry eye? Many people with very watery eyes are surprised to learn that they actually suffer from dry eye syndrome. In fact, watering is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in patients with dry eye. This watering can become worse when out in cold windy air, or when you are in a car with the heat blowing at your eyes. What causes dry eye? Tear production decreases as we get older. Dry eye can occur in both men and women, but it is more commonly seen in women. This is especially true after menopause. Many systemic diseases can contribute to dry eye, including Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and many others. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also contribute to dry eye. PARK RAPIDS WALKER EYE CLINIC 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. How is dry eye diagnosed and treated? Your optometrist can detect dry eye during an eye exam, using special tests and dyes to measure your tear production and tear evaporation. If you do not produce enough tears, or if your tears evaporate from your eyes too quickly, your optometrist will likely diagnose you with dry eye syndrome. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com There are new advances in dry eye therapy all the time. From over the counter or prescription drops, oral medications, or even minor surgical procedures, we have a solution for your dry eyes! Call to schedule a dry eye evaluation with one of our doctors, and start feeling better today! AskA Doctor Winter in Minnesota: Dry air.Dry skin.Dry eyes. Every fall and winter, Minnesotans can count on the weather turning cold, our furnaces turning on, and the air turning dry. Along with this dry air comes dry skin, cracked hands, and dry EYES. the What is dry eye syndrome? Some people do not produce enough tears (or the appropriate quality of tears) to protect the eyes and keep them moist. This condition is known as dry eye. If you have mild or borderline dry eye, this condition can become much worse as the air dries out in fall and winter. Jen Keller O.D. What are the symptoms of dry eye? Many people with very watery eyes are surprised to learn that they actually suffer from dry eye syndrome. In fact, watering is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in patients with dry eye. This watering can become worse when out in cold windy air, or when you are in a car with the heat blowing at your eyes. What causes dry eye? Tear production decreases as we get older. Dry eye can occur in both men and women, but it is more commonly seen in women. This is especially true after menopause. Many systemic diseases can contribute to dry eye, including Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and many others. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also contribute to dry eye. PARK RAPIDS WALKER EYE CLINIC 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. How is dry eye diagnosed and treated? Your optometrist can detect dry eye during an eye exam, using special tests and dyes to measure your tear production and tear evaporation. If you do not produce enough tears, or if your tears evaporate from your eyes too quickly, your optometrist will likely diagnose you with dry eye syndrome. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com There are new advances in dry eye therapy all the time. From over the counter or prescription drops, oral medications, or even minor surgical procedures, we have a solution for your dry eyes! Call to schedule a dry eye evaluation with one of our doctors, and start feeling better today!