Dry, gritty, burning eyes are more than just an annoyance. For many people, chronic dry eye interferes with daily tasks like reading, working on a screen, or driving, and without proper care, it can affect long-term eye health. The good news is that dry eye disease is a manageable condition when addressed by the right provider.
At Vision Source Mandan, Dr. Brittany Schauer, Dr. Wayne Aberle, and Dr. Danielle Dyke provide comprehensive dry eye evaluations and treatment for patients throughout Bismarck, Mandan, and surrounding North Dakota communities. With roots going back to 1950, our practice has built a reputation for thorough, personalized care that goes beyond surface-level solutions. Learn more about our dry eye therapy services and what we can do for you.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears produced evaporate too quickly to keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated. According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye is a common condition that can stem from a variety of causes, including age, environment, screen time, and underlying health conditions.
Symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some patients notice a persistent stinging or burning sensation, while others experience excessive tearing as the eye overcompensates for dryness. Left unaddressed, dry eye can lead to inflammation, surface damage, and, in more serious cases, vision complications.
Common Causes of Dry Eye
Understanding what triggers dry eye is an important part of finding the right treatment. Several factors can contribute to the condition, and in many cases, more than one is at play.
Here are some of the most common causes our team sees in patients from the Bismarck area:
- Meibomian gland dysfunction: the most frequent cause, involving blocked oil glands along the eyelid that affect tear quality
- Blepharitis: chronic eyelid inflammation that disrupts the tear film and often occurs alongside dry eye
- Screen time and digital eye strain: prolonged screen use reduces blink rate, allowing tears to evaporate faster
- Environmental factors: dry North Dakota winters and indoor heating can accelerate tear evaporation
- Age and hormonal changes: tear production naturally decreases with age, and hormonal shifts can accelerate this
Identifying the root cause is what allows us to move from temporary relief to lasting improvement.
How We Diagnose and Treat Dry Eye
Effective dry eye care starts with a thorough evaluation. During your appointment, our doctors will assess the quantity and quality of your tears, examine the health of your eyelid glands, and look for signs of blepharitis or inflamed, itchy eyes. This information helps us pinpoint the type of dry eye you have and recommend the most effective course of action.
Treatment Options
Treatment plans at Vision Source Mandan are tailored to each patient. Depending on the severity and cause of your dry eye, we may recommend lubricating eye drops, prescription anti-inflammatory medications, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene routines, or in-office procedures targeting meibomian gland function. Our goal is to treat the underlying issue, not just mask the symptoms.
Dry Eye and Contact Lens Wear
For patients who wear contacts, dry eye can make lens wear uncomfortable or even difficult to tolerate. Our team evaluates whether your dry eye is affecting your contact lens comfort and works with you to find solutions that keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear. In some cases, addressing dry eye directly resolves the discomfort that patients had previously attributed to their lenses.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter for Dry Eye Patients
Dry eye is a chronic condition for many patients, which means ongoing monitoring is key. Routine eye exams allow our doctors to track changes in your tear film and ocular surface health over time, adjusting your treatment plan as needed. Catching early signs of worsening dryness helps prevent more significant complications down the road.
For patients with underlying conditions such as autoimmune diseases or diabetes, dry eye can be one of several ocular concerns that need to be monitored together. Our comprehensive approach means we look at the full picture of your eye health, not just the presenting symptom.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation at Vision Source Mandan
Vision Source Mandan has served patients across Bismarck, Mandan, and the surrounding region for over 70 years, and dry eye care has long been a part of the comprehensive services we provide. Our team is committed to finding real, lasting solutions for patients who have struggled with persistent discomfort, and we take the time to listen and understand what’s driving their symptoms.
Whether you’ve been dealing with dry eye for years or are noticing early warning signs, we’re here to help you find relief. Contact our office today to schedule your evaluation and take the first step toward more comfortable vision.
