woman with dry eye in front of a computer

Dry Eye Treatment

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

Schedule Eye Exam

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 Memorial Eye Center - Rayford 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 Spring 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

Our optometry practice in Spring

Photograph of Kim-Van Chau
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross
Patient Reviews
4.6
116 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Sep. 08, 2022
Called to schedule my husband an appointment and the lady at the front desk was able to get him in i... mmediately. His appointment was scheduled for 30 minutes from the time I called which was great. We were greeted by two ladies as soon as we walked in the door. Wait time was minimal, less than 3 minutes. The staff was friendly and helpful. Megan is the absolute best she’s always willing to help in any way. The waiting area and the exam room were very clean and well kept. Plus they had a great playlist!
- Sep. 28, 2021
Kayla was excellent!
- Jun. 04, 2021
The staff and glasses selection at my visit today were fantastic. This crew is especially knowledgea... ble and helpful. Honestly they all deserve a significant raise for the expertise, care, and professionalism they bring to the practice!
- Feb. 12, 2021
Everyone there is friendly and professional.
- Oct. 31, 2020
Memorial Eye Center (formerly Today's Vision) is my go-to place for eye exams. The staff are friend... ly, polite & professional. The exams are thorough and you never feel like anything has been missed. Dr. Patel explains any questions you have in as much detail as you want. I always learn something from him.
- Oct. 20, 2020
First time to visit this location and quite some time since I had an eye exam. I was very fortunate ... on the first try to meet Dr. Patel and the staff at the Rayford office. Very knowledgeable. Very honest. Very straightforward. Very professional. Very courteous.
- Oct. 24, 2019
I have been a happy patient of Dr. Patel's for almost a decade. I couldn't ask for better service. M... y family and I would not go any place else for our eye care.
- Oct. 07, 2019
Great atmosphere and service!!!
- Sep. 27, 2019
I just moved to the area and walked into the office to get information. They brought me in for an ex... am right then! Super friendly doctor and staff!
- Sep. 14, 2019
Everyone was very nice
- Sep. 06, 2019
Staff is efficient and friendly. Dr. Patel very engaging and professional. Highly recommended.
- Aug. 26, 2019
Dr. Patel is always so happy and high energy. I wish I could find a family practitioner that cares f... or their patients the way Dr. P does. My family and I always enjoy our yearly visits. I love the new front lobby staff too!
- Aug. 22, 2019
Always top notch care in a very pleasant environment.
- Aug. 15, 2019
My whole family sees dr. Patel, hes very nice and the staff is great!
- Jul. 29, 2019
Dr. Patel is the best! Takes great care of my family. Thoroughly answers our questions and never mak... es us feel rushed. The best part is that he isn't just in it for the quick buck, as he has been very conservative in advising on glasses for both of my children. He also took the time to explain blue light to my boys and the importance of turning off their tablets at least an hour before bedtime. I highly recommend!
- Jul. 23, 2019
Dr. Patel is easily the best eye doctor I have ever seen. I am 51 years old and have worn glasses si... nce I was 5, so I have seen many eye doctors over the years, he beats them all. I first saw him in Spring, then followed him to College Station (yes, I drove from Spring to CS just to see him, multiple times) and now back to the Woodlands. Every eye doctor and surgeon I had ever seen told me I was the most far-sighted patient they had ever encountered, and he was no different. To add to that I have astigmatisms in both eyes, am diabetic and am myopic, near legally blind in my left eye, so I was and am a high-maintenance patient. I literally could not function without my eyewear, and at the time wore the strongest contacts available, with +4 cheaters on top of them when I needed to read. Dr. Patel was very instrumental in helping me attain lense replacement and lasic sugery, which at the time most places were turning me away due to my vison being so poor. However, he spoke with the surgeons and supplied referrals which no doubt helped me attain my dream of eye surgery, which was above and beyond his responsibility. His staff is also great, very knowledgeable and friendly, always greeting with a smile and a super attitude and also a big help picking out frames, of which they have a huge selection. He uses all the latest, cutting edge equipment, his office is always clean and looking great. You wont find a better or more caring or attentive eye doctor, he also has great prices and will work with anyone. I have seen him for over 10 years, and he now takes care of my entire family, which makes 5 of us. We have four different insurance plans and he accomodates them all. I wouldn’t dream of ever seeing anyone else. This may sound like a commercial, or a fake review, but I am just a patient, and its all true. However, I am obviously a very, extremely satisfied patient. If you ever see him once you won’t go anywhere else, promise.
- Jul. 17, 2019
The staff was friendly and helpful. The Doctor was patient and thoughtful to my problem and explaine... d my issues so I understood his finding and plan for action.
- Jul. 16, 2019
Dr. Patel is phenomenal!!! Very knowledgeable and GREAT with our kids. He's very detailed but pract... ical, not just looking to make money. He's genuine in his assessment.
- Jul. 01, 2019
Great visit! I was in and out in less than an hour. Everyone in the office was fantastic!
- Jun. 25, 2019
I have been a patient here for several years now and I have nothing but great things to say. I would... n't go anywhere else. Dr. Patel is constantly updating his knowledge, his practice, and takes care of me like family.

View All 116 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