Dry Eye Care

Finding The Right Dry Eye Care

Have you noticed lately that your eyes seem to scratch and burn? Do your eyes tear up unexpectedly when you're using the computer or on cold, windy days? Do your eyes turn red if you're exposed to smoke or wind? You may have dry eye syndrome.

If you need to know how to care for your dry eyes, you are not alone.

Prevalence Of Dry Eye Syndrome

People who have dry eye syndrome produce fewer tears than the rest of the population. Studies show that more than 3.2 million people in the United States need dry eye care. The condition is most prevalent in women – eight percent of women over the age of 50 in the United States have dry eyes that need care.

Causes

Dry eye syndrome is reportedly caused by on or more of three things:
Inflammation occurring with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren's disease can cause dry eyes.
A problem with the outer layer of the tears may permit rapid evaporation of the tear fluid. This condition is sometimes caused by insufficient testosterone in the body.
Medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics, among others, may interfere with production of tear fluid.

Symptoms

Sufferers of dry eye syndrome experience burning eyes, scratchy eyes, stringy discharge in the eyes, excessive tearing, intolerance of smoke and wind, and blurry vision.

Conservative Treatment

Dry eye care can be simple or complex, depending on what is causing your dry eye syndrome.

If dry eyes are a side effect of a medication your doctor has prescribed for you, tell your doctor about your dry eye problems. A substitute medication may be available that will treat your medical condition without causing your eyes to dry up. If no substitute is available, you may be able to diminish the side effect by decreasing the dosage of your medication.

Artificial tears are a temporary solution, but they can provide much needed relief to the dry eye sufferer. Artificial tears are merely saline eye drops that temporarily lubricate the eye. They are not a long-term solution for dry eye care, and they do nothing to treat or cure the underlying condition that causes the dryness.

Topical cyclosporine, which must be prescribed by a doctor, treats the inflammation that can cause dry eyes while it lubricates the eyes. Many patients report that they get fast relief from dry eye syndrome once they start using cyclosporine. This dry eye care treatment has very few, if any, side effects.

Denver Eye Care

Eye Care In The Denver Area

Residents of Denver are fortunate, indeed. The area enjoys a wealth of eye care specialists, and Denver residents may choose from among dozens of excellent Denver eye care physicians for their eye care.

Denver Eye Clinic

Located on South Colorado Boulevard in Denver, Denver Eye Clinic was established in 1898 by Dr. Edward Jackson. Dr. Jackson also established the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. The Clinic was established by pioneer of ophthalmology like Dr. Arthur G. Starr, who performed the first corneal transplant in Colorado.

Dr. James Giltner

One of the doctors who provides eye care at the Denver Eye Clinic is Dr. James Bristow Giltner. Dr. Giltner has earned Board Certifications from the American Board of Ophthalmology, the National Board of Medical Examiners, and the Oculoplastic Fellowship Society.

Dr. Giltner performs clear cornea cataract surgery, photo-refractive keratectomy and LASIK surgery.

Dr. Eric Broecker

The Denver Eye Clinic's newest doctor providing eye care in Denver is Eric H. Broecker, O.D. Dr. Broecker's specialty is correcting vision with eye glasses or contact lenses. His specialty is fitting multifocal contact lenses that take the place of bifocal glasses.

Dr. Broecker trained at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Burcham Eye Care Center In Denver

Another eye care option for Denver residents is Burcham Eyecare Center, located in the 750 Potomac Medical Building which is attached to the Aurora Medical Center North. You will find Burcham Eye Care Center at the intersection of I-225 and Sixth Avenue.

Dr. J. Russell Burcham

Dr. Burcham is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon who graduated from tohe University of Missouri in 1975. He studied Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Burcham has provided eye care in Denver since 1979.

Dr. Jost

Dr. Jost is an optometrist who graduated from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in 2005, enjoys fitting Denver residents with contact lenses.

Insurance

The Burcham Eye Care Center in Denver accepts insurance coverage from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA Healthcare, HMO Colorado, Medicare Part B, Rocky Mountain UFW, United HealthCare, Rocky Mountain HMO, and others. Contact the office to see if your insurance is accepted at the Burcham Eye Care Center.

Choosing A Denver Eye Care Provider

If you need an eye care specialist in Denver, seek recommendations from your primary care physician, your health insurance provider, and friends and relatives who have experience with Denver eye care specialists.