Vision Therapy in Cocoa

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(321) 638-3931

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 Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard 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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408 Reviews
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- Mar. 20, 2025
Amazing staff!! They are all very helpful and wonderful Thank You Brooke for helping me
- Mar. 12, 2025
Been using Visionary Optometry for 20 yrs. Micah and Casey have are a great team. Best anywhere
- Mar. 07, 2025
Great Service!!
- Feb. 28, 2025
This was a great experience for first timers at the eye doctor. Brooke was AMAZING with my daughter.... She made her (us) feel so comfortable. Jamie was great and informative. Dr. Was very nice and patient.
- Feb. 10, 2025
I'm a welder and fabricator I got metal in my eye from grinding on steel. My employer sent me to thi... s office. The staff is very nice. And their office is nice and comfortable. Dr Gerard did a great job getting the steel out of my eye. He's extremely professional and cares about what he's doing. They got me in and out in a timely manner thank you.
- Feb. 10, 2025
He found the problem with my eyes that no one else found for years. I now can see and didn't realize... how bad I couldn't see. Thank you so much!
- Feb. 09, 2025
Eye exam was very thorough. Staff was friendly. Good selection of eyeglass frames at a reasonable pr... ice.
- Feb. 08, 2025
Dr. Gerard is great doctor very thoughtful, thorough and knowledgeable. Staff is very friendly and ... helpful as well:))
- Feb. 04, 2025
I can see like magic after just one exam and everything was done correctly the first time! 👏👏�... ���👏 I’ve had so many disappointing experiences elsewhere, many elsewheres 🙃 I’ve just been absolutely blown away impressed since I got my new glasses. 🤓 It’s a miracle I can see again! 👏 WILL BE BACK HERE AGAIN AND AGAIN 👏
- Feb. 04, 2025
I have always had positive experiences with Vision Optometry, Dr. Girard and his friendly and welcom... ing staff. The doctor is knowledgeable and very thorough in his exams. The staff is awesome and the equipment & environment are both very clean and well maintained. I would recommend, and have, this doctor and location to anyone in need of an excellent optometrist.
- Jan. 30, 2025
Amazing Doctor and staff. I have been going there for a few years now. Super friendly and knowledgea... ble with a great selection to choose from.
- Jan. 05, 2025
Best eye doc and staff in FL!
- Dec. 28, 2024
Great experience. Professional and kind staff. Great prices with my insurance.
- Dec. 13, 2024
Dr. Girard explained what he was doing and why. Answered all my questions and was not rushing throug... h his examination of my results. The staff was very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend Visionary Optometry.
- Nov. 29, 2024
Amazing doctor and great staff.
- Nov. 21, 2024
Thank you for being so professional and personable over the years. You deserve 10 stars!
- Nov. 20, 2024
Excellent optometry practice. Dr. Girard and his staff are all highly qualified professionals and h... ave a real knack for putting their patients at ease. Dr. Girard discusses your exam and finding with you in plain language. He is one of the best eye doctors I have ever had. Highly recommend this business.
- Nov. 19, 2024
Always a great experience with Dr. Girard and staff. Friendly and professional.
- Nov. 12, 2024
The staff and doctor were very helpful and friendly.
- Nov. 09, 2024
The doctor and staff are absolutely fantastic.

View All 408 Reviews

Dry Eyes in Cocoa

Our optometry practice in Cocoa

Photograph of Micah  Girard
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • Humana
  • Tricare
  • EyeMed
  • Avesis
  • UMR
  • MetLife
  • Cigna Vision
  • PHCS
  • Aetna
  • Guardian
  • Vision Care Plan
  • Allegiance
  • GEHA
  • Humana Military & Tricare
  • Principal
  • Florida Blue
  • Medical Mutual Ohio
  • Standard Life
  • Tricare for Life
  • Health First
  • Unum Vision
  • AARP Supplement Plans
  • Ironworkers
  • Medicare Part B
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Optim Healthcare
  • Superior Vision by Versant Health
  • Solstice
  • Well Med

man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard, 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.

(321) 638-3931