Dry Eye Treatment for Galesburg Residents
Do your eyes feel dry, itchy, or constantly irritated? Do you experience blurry vision or excessive tearing? You may have dry eye syndrome, a common eye condition where your eyes don’t produce enough tears. Dr. Nathan Dieckow at Precision Family Eyecare provides advanced diagnostics and personalized treatments to help restore comfort.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye is a condition where your eyes either fail to produce enough tears or lose moisture too quickly due to rapid evaporation. This imbalance can cause discomfort, inflammation, and vision disturbances.
The Types of Dry Eye
1. Evaporative Dry Eye: The most common type, caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), where the oil glands in your eyelids become blocked. Without these oils, tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes dry and irritated.
2. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, often due to aging, certain medications, or underlying health conditions.
Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
Not sure if you have dry eye? Common symptoms include:
- Burning, stinging, or itching eyes
- Gritty or foreign body sensation
- Excessive tearing (as a response to dryness)
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Eye fatigue and discomfort after screen use
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Comprehensive Dry Eye Diagnosis
At Precision Family Eyecare, we take a medical approach to dry eye—identifying the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.
1. Meibography (Meibomian Gland Imaging): High-resolution imaging to assess the health of the oil-producing glands in your eyelids. It helps determine if blockages or gland dysfunction are contributing to your symptoms.
2. Tear Film Analysis: Measures tear stability, volume, and evaporation rate. This evaluates whether you have aqueous-deficient dry eye or evaporative dry eye.
3. Ocular Surface Examination: It uses special dyes and imaging technology to detect inflammation, corneal damage, and tear quality issues.
Our Dry Eye Treatment Options
Unlike over-the-counter drops that provide only temporary relief, Dr. Dieckow offers treatments that address the underlying cause of dry eye for long-term comfort.
1. MiBo ThermoFlo Therapy
One of our most effective, non-invasive treatments is MiBo ThermoFlo, designed for patients with MGD and evaporative dry eye.
MiBo ThermoFlo is an FDA-approved treatment that uses continuous, controlled heat and gentle massage to unclog blocked meibomian glands and restore the natural oil layer in your tears.
Why Patients Love MiBo ThermoFlo:
- Feels like a relaxing eye massage—completely painless!
- No downtime—return to daily activities immediately.
- Long-lasting relief—many patients feel improvement after just one session!
- More effective than warm compresses—penetrates deeper for better results.
2. Prescription Eye Drops & Medications
It helps reduce inflammation and increase tear production. Medications like Restasis® or Xiidra® may be recommended.
3. Punctal Plugs (For Severe Dry Eye Cases)
Tiny biocompatible plugs are inserted into tear ducts to help retain moisture and reduce tear drainage.
4. Lid Hygiene & At-Home Therapy
Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and omega-3 supplements can support long-term relief.
Dr. Dieckow will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and test results.
Lifestyle Tips for Dry Eye Relief
In addition to professional treatments, small daily habits can make a big difference in managing your symptoms.
- Blink more often––especially during screen use.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule––every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Use a humidifier to prevent dry indoor air from worsening symptoms.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from wind and UV exposure.
- Eat omega-3-rich foods like fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
Schedule an Exam With Our Dry Eye Doctor
You don’t have to live with constant eye irritation, discomfort, or blurry vision. Whether your dry eye is mild or severe, Dr. Nathan Dieckow and the team at Precision Family Eyecare can help.