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Dry Eye Treatment in Andover

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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Tired of your eyes constantly watering?

Want to find a solution for your red, dry, itchy eyes?

Dry eye disease can seriously harm your quality of life. It can cause severe irritation and even infection in severe cases.

Symptoms of dry eye disease include:

  • Red, dry eyes
  • Itchiness in and around the eye
  • A gritty-feeling in the eye
  • Light sensitivity
  • Excessive watering of the eyes

Visit Andover Optometry on Central for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

lady with dry eyes

Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

man with dry eye sneeze

Dry eye disease is an increasingly common eye condition that can happen either because the eye is not producing enough tears, or because tears are evaporating too quickly, leaving the eyes without enough moisture to function comfortably.

This can happen for several reasons including allergies, side effects from medications, hormonal changes, and illness.

Depending on the cause and exact symptoms of your dry eyes, our Andover eye doctors will be able to prescribe treatments and medications aimed at increasing the amount of tears your eye produces and/or slowing the evaporation of tears to better hydrate your eyes.


What Are the Main Causes of Dry Eye?

  • Aging

    Dry eye disease tends to affect people over the age of 50. This is because tear production slows as we age. As the lacrimal glands produce fewer tears, dry eye develops.

  • Hormonal changes

    It's not uncommon for some women to experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control pills. That's because hormone imbalances can reduce tear production.

  • Autoimmune disease

    Certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome, can cause white blood cells to attack your tear glands, thus reducing tear production. Other diseases like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes can also cause poor or insufficient tear production.

  • Medications

    Certain medications can reduce mucus production (one of the 3 tear components) thus contributing to chronic dry eye.

    They include antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.

Note that this is just a handful of causes. There are many other factors that can contribute to dry eye, including pollution and dry air, allergies, poor tear quality, dehydration, contact lens wear, and more.


Dry Eyes Treatment in Andover

Our optometry practice in Andover

Photograph of Ronald Watanabe
Hours
  • Monday 7:45 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 7:45 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Patient Reviews
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268 Reviews
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- Nov. 21, 2023
No wait emergency exam when I showed up before your posted opening hour. Thank you.
- Oct. 18, 2023
Quick and accurate fit every time. Truly the best practice ever!
- Oct. 07, 2023
Best service and most friendly staff! I have terrible nearsightedness, so I’m very picky about whe... re I go for eye care. Dr. Deshaies is patient, answers my million questions when I go in, and is really looking out for his patients. Big thank you to Marcia for helping with the payment and contact ordering process and making it easy. Come here if you want to be taken care of!
- Sep. 15, 2023
Have been coming to the doctors here since 1976! Even came during summer visits to the US when I wa... s living in Australia. Have gone to a couple of other practitioners, once each, when for some reason I could not come here, but never considered changing to one of them.
- Sep. 09, 2023
Very attentive, friendly and professional team!!
- Aug. 19, 2023
Great service and care for the patients!
- Aug. 12, 2023
Great people, wonderful attitudes, highly professional with a kind and reassuring manner that instil... ls confidence… the end result? I see better now than I have in years…at 73 that is greatly appreciated. If you need the best eye care, you need look no further…you have found the best!
- Jul. 26, 2023
Dr. Watanabe is a great eye doctor. I feel extremely lucky to have found him. He listens attentive... ly and carefully to his patients, and provides superior service. I highly recommend him.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Always a pleasant visit.
- Jun. 29, 2023
Recently having trouble with my frame adjustment, unable to read correctly and very tight on the sid... es. I had the pleasure of working with Joe, he went out of his way to adjust the lenses and the frames to make them comfortable and with correct vision. He went above and beyond listening to my issues and patiently corrected the issues. In the past I had the pleasure of being helped by Marsha and Sheila with similar positive outcomes. I highly recommend Joe and this entire practice.
- Jun. 13, 2023
I had a serious eye issue that required immediate surgery in Boston. Dr wantabe squeezed me that mo... rning , diagnosed my eye issue and got me set up at Massachusetts eye and ear. I appreciate the care I got from the Dr and the entire office.
- Jun. 05, 2023
Was told by another eye doctor…that “nothing was wrong and that it was all in my head”.. I avo... ided going to a doctors ever since due to being gaslit into believing that nothing was actually wrong with my eyes. Six years later, I woke up enough courage to go here hoping to have a semi good experience. When I tell yall I have never been treated with such good care and was actually listen to… I WAS SHOCKED (from my past experience) Anyways, my results. My eyes were fine (with a small prescription) BUTTT I did have astigmatisms in each eye which was causing me to see doubles, having light sensitivity, seeing “smoke” & “stars”, and overall feeling like I’m straining my eyes just to see close up or far away DAILY. Now that I have a prescription that is properly made for my eyes. I’m seeing things so clearly!! I swear I’m seeing in 4K. It’s remarkable. I will be a returning client and will be recommending others to come here!! The style of glasses are wide as well. The women with the red hair (who helped me with my glasses/ payment) is AMAZING. She made me feel so beautiful, comfortable (I'm very shy), and excited for my glasses. I wish I knew her name but she definitely deserves the acknowledgment for her work & her interaction with the patients!
- May. 20, 2023
I have been going to Dr.Watanabe for years. He is always so professional and thorough with my eye ex... am.
- May. 07, 2023
Thank you, great service.
- Apr. 21, 2023
Very professional and friendly staff.
- Apr. 02, 2023
This is a wonderful facility. Doctors are very experienced. I was very satisfied with all aspects....
- Mar. 21, 2023
Have been coming here for years. Have always had a great experience with great doctors and staff.
- Mar. 21, 2023
I was very satisfied with every part of my last visit at Andover Optometry on Central from the sched... uling, the reminders a week before the appointment, the welcome the day of and Dr. Wantanabe's attention to me and my vision. I highly recommend Andover Optometry on Central for your vision needs. Cheryl Iodice
- Mar. 12, 2023
Very pleasant experience for my 12 year old son. The Staff and Dr. Deshaies were excellent. Our ap... pointment was in the afternoon and it was exactly on time.
- Mar. 10, 2023
Very professional and prompt service.

View All 268 Reviews

Dry Eyes FAQs

Can I still wear contact lenses if I have dry eye syndrome?

Yes, some people can still wear contact lenses with dry eye syndrome. However, depending on its severity, you may need to carefully select the adequate contact lens for optimal clarity and comfort.

Oftentimes, because contact lenses sit on the eye, it's difficult for vital oxygen to reach the eye. This can worsen dry eye symptoms, and increase the risk of scratching or otherwise damaging your eye. Make sure to ask your eye doctor which contact lenses are most adapted to your condition.

Can dry eye syndrome be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for dry eye syndrome. There are, however, many treatment options that offer lasting dry eye relief.

Can dry eye syndrome cause blindness?

In rare extreme cases, dry eye syndrome can cause corneal ulcers. These ulcers can result in scarring on the eye, making it difficult for the cornea to focus light accurately. If left untreated, corneal ulcers and the associated scarring can result in blindness.

How can I prevent dry eye symptoms?

Below are a few tips that will help prevent dry eye symptoms:

  • Point fans, heaters, and air vents so that they don’t directly blow into your eyes
  • Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids
  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Take breaks during long tasks, especially those that require extended visual focus

senior couple with dry eye

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

Schedule Eye Exam