Vision Therapy in Jefferson City

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(573) 635-1313

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 Eyes On Missouri - Jefferson City 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.

Patient Reviews
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849 Reviews
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- Jan. 23, 2025
I always get friendly service at Eyes on Missouri. Highly recommend Dr. Zahn and this location for ... your eye care services!
- Jan. 23, 2025
I like both doctors in this office. Friendly, fast service.
- Dec. 19, 2024
The staff is amazing!!! I stepped on my glasses and broke the frame. The staff was able to find me... a replacement frame extremely quickly. I highly recommend you come here for your eye care needs.
- Dec. 14, 2024
the ONLY place to get glasses!
- Dec. 08, 2024
Stellar customer service! And my favorite (nerdy) part is the purposeful and unobtrusive efforts the... y make to ensure time is managed well *without* making patients feel rushed or unattended. For example, they use an adaptation of a technique called Kanban, where a visual on the wall alerts patients in the waiting area to whether or not the doctors on are on time or not. This may seem minor but it effectively communicates if there will be an extended wait. I also noticed that a staff member who works with patients to choose eyewear came into the exam room at the end of my exam, presumably at a predetermined time to help the entire staff remain on track for the appointments for the day. If a medical team is that dedicated to simple time management strategies, imagine the level of care and dedication they exhibit when it comes to patient care and eye health! As long as I live in the area, I will continue to receive care from Eyes on Missouri and encourage everyone else I know to do the same!
- Dec. 06, 2024
Highly recommend Eyes on Missouri! I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door and the staff help... ed in getting a great frame that fit my face and bridge.
- Dec. 02, 2024
Great experience an quality
- Nov. 22, 2024
Everyone here from in to out was very pleasant, efficient and helpful.
- Nov. 14, 2024
They are very nice people super fast
- Nov. 02, 2024
I’ve been going here for years love the customer service and the quality of the glasses! So many c... hoices too!
- Oct. 18, 2024
Great services. Doctor and staff are very friendly. Thorough exam and excellent service.
- Oct. 11, 2024
Dr. Zahn is knowledgeable and caring. All of the staff and assistants are friendly.
- Oct. 07, 2024
Love them and the new location.
- Oct. 07, 2024
Friendly staff and good service!
- Oct. 04, 2024
Kelli went above and beyond my expectations. Wonderful service.
- Oct. 02, 2024
The eye care team is the best from scheduling an eye exam to getting your new glasses. I couldn't ha... ve done it without you all. And a special shout out to beautiful Kelli. She is awesome.
- Oct. 02, 2024
Dr. Zahn was great!! Very knowledgeable and patient with my kids!! Jamie, the optician, was sweet an... d very helpful when we ordered glasses. And she's got a great smile 😊
- Sep. 25, 2024
Dr Zahn is a wonderful, caring person and the staff is very helpful and nice.
- Sep. 18, 2024
Nikki was wonderful. Helped me look great and my eyes are smiling
- Sep. 13, 2024
Can’t recommend Dr. Zahn enough!

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Dry Eyes in Jefferson City

Our optometry practice in Jefferson City

Photograph of Elizabeth  Hedgpath
Hours
  • Monday 7:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 7:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife

man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At Eyes On Missouri - Jefferson City, 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.

(573) 635-1313