Vision Therapy in Pine City

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(320) 629-7262
Understanding the Symptoms

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and its symptoms can vary in severity. It's crucial to recognize the signs of dry eye early to seek appropriate treatment and improve your eye health and comfort.

man with sore eyes


Common Symptoms to Look Out For

woman with red eyes

Experiencing dry eye symptoms can greatly affect your daily life and overall health. These symptoms can disrupt your work, hobbies, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks comfortably.

The constant discomfort and distraction caused by these symptoms can lower your productivity and overall quality of life. 

Here are common signs that may indicate dry eye syndrome:

  • Dryness:
    A persistent sensation of dryness, grittiness, or eye irritation.
  • Itching:
    Frequent itching or a burning sensation in and around the eyes.
  • Redness:
    Bloodshot or red eyes, often accompanied by discomfort.·
  • Excessive Tearing:
    Paradoxically, your eyes may produce more tears as a response to dryness, leading to watery eyes.
  • Blurry Vision:
    Vision may become temporarily blurred, particularly when reading or using digital screens.
  • Light Sensitivity:
    Increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.
  • Foreign Body Sensation:
    Feeling as though something is in your eye.
  • Eye Fatigue:
    Increased eye fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of reading, screen time, or other visually demanding tasks.

Ignoring dry eye symptoms can lead to worsening discomfort and potential complications. Chronic dry eye can damage the eye's surface and increase the risk of eye infections, scarring, and vision loss. Seeking professional guidance if you're experiencing any of these symptoms is crucial.


Dry Eye Diagnosis and Expert Care

When you choose Pine Eye Associates for your dry eye care, you benefit from our expertise in comprehensive diagnosis. We understand that your unique health history and lifestyle can affect your dry eye differently, which is why we practice personalized care tailored to you. Our approach includes:

  • In-Depth Eye Exams

    During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate your eyelids, eye surface, and your complete health history and lifestyle to identify potential underlying causes of dry eyes.

  • Tear Assessment

    We conduct a detailed assessment of your tears, measuring their volume and quality. This assessment helps us identify any deficiencies in tear quantity or quality, crucial factors in dry eye diagnosis.

  • Tear Breakup Time

    Using advanced techniques like tear breakup time measurement, we identify specific areas of your eyes where tears may evaporate more rapidly. This information aids in tailoring your treatment plan.

  • Specialized Dry Eye Test: Schirmer Test

    This test involves placing blotting test paper strips on the lower eyelids to measure tear production over a specific time. It helps determine the volume of tears your eyes produce.


Dry Eyes in Pine City

Our optometry practice in Pine City

Photograph of Cody  Benedict
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Patient Reviews
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118 Reviews
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- May. 05, 2024
Dr Garofalo is one the best opthamologists! Great office, friendly staff who care.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Very happy with service provided and friendly, efficient staff!
- Apr. 10, 2024
A friendly place.
- Apr. 10, 2024
Staff are always professional, pleasant and helpful.
- Apr. 07, 2024
The Dr. and staff have a very professional yet joyful attitude when talking with patients.
- Mar. 26, 2024
I felt welcomed and comfortable. Dr. Benedict was very thorough and checked me completely.
- Mar. 22, 2024
Been going here since I was 6 years old. Staff and doctors are great! I'll continue to go out of the... way to make sure I go see them. Always trusted them 100% to take care of my eyes.
- Mar. 20, 2024
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Took time to explain tests and results.
- Mar. 18, 2024
I am so grateful for the team at Pine Eye. I went in for a routine checkup knowing that my eyes had ... changed since the last visit. Dr. T. was honest with her genuine concern over the significant changes that had taken place and validated the feelings I had about my much my vision had been affected. I’ve got my new glasses and can see quite nicely.
- Mar. 14, 2024
Thanks! Great experience!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr. Garafalo is very talented, very thorough, and totally engaged in a great outcome or solution for... his patients. We are so glad we were referred to him by a friend. We highly recommend him as well.
- Feb. 17, 2024
Very thorough and were able to allay my fears
- Feb. 15, 2024
I’ve been to numerous optometrists in the past 4-5 years & always left with a new rx but still not... being able to see clearly. I always felt like I was crazy and just expecting to see “perfect” and that it was no longer an option after age 35 🤣. Dr Benedict took the time to figure out why I was having so much trouble with my overall vision for YEARS. He did some extra testing in my exam and found the problem. It literally changed my life! I also no longer feel like a hypochondriac 🤣
- Jan. 14, 2024
I take a 45 minute drive to Pine Eye instead of going to the local doctor in town. I'm a very indeci... sive person and I was struggling with frame's. The more the looked the more uncomfortable I started to feel. After staff noticing they helped narrow down choices and boosted my confidence on the best frame's for me. It was wonderful! Plus I'm very forgetful and always running late.. I get multiple reminders through emails and phone calls, which is greatly appreciated!
- Jan. 04, 2024
Hands down the best eye Dr I've been to! Dr. Toler is amazing, warm, and friendly. She explained eve... rything so I understood them and I left with a full understanding of what went on!! I'll continue to see Dr.Toler and will recommend this eye clinic to everybody I know!!
- Jan. 03, 2024
Dr. Iverson and staff are very helpful and friendly. Dr. Iverson does a great job answering question... s. Eye exam was very thorough. Requested prescription for computer use. Eyeglasses are excellent. I can see clearly now! Thank you.
- Nov. 12, 2023
Excellent care and kind staff. Helpful with finding frames, and transparent about insurance deductib... les and extra costs.
- Nov. 02, 2023
Fast and quick service
- Oct. 13, 2023
Highly recommend to all my friends and family. Best eye doctor and I am always highly satisfied with... the whole experience at pine eye. They were the first ones that got my prescription right… I couldn’t see for 30 years… and then I went to pine eye.
- Sep. 17, 2023
Excellent doctors and staff! Very personal service! I would highly recommend Pine Eye Associates!

View All 118 Reviews


man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At Pine Eye Associates, our experienced eye care specialists are ready to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms. We understand these symptoms' impact on your daily life and are committed to improving your eye health and comfort.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your dry eye symptoms. Let's work together to find the most suitable treatment and enhance your quality of life.

(320) 629-7262