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Dry Eye Treatment in Apple Valley

Offering Lasting Relief For Dry, Itchy & Gritty Eyes

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 Apple Valley Eye Care for effective and lasting dry eye relief.

A woman with curly hair and glasses on her left side touching her forehead with her right hand, possibly having a headache
man having his eyes examined by a woman doctor

How Dry Eye Disease Develops & How to Treat It

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 Apple Valley 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 Sjogren'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 FAQs

Meet our Eye Doctors

Patrick Wellik
Patrick Wellik O.D.
Language: English
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Pat Wellik was born and raised in the small northern Iowa town of Britt, Iowa. He attended the University of Iowa from 1981-1985, then went to the Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Pat received his doctor of optometry…

Annika Anderson
Annika Anderson O.D.
Language: English
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Anderson grew up in Apple Valley and graduated from Eastview High School. She went on to The University of Kansas graduating with a degree in Human Biology, prior to attending The Ohio State University where she graduated magna cum…

Amanda McMullen
Amanda McMullen O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Amanda McMullen was born and raised in North Dakota. She attended North Dakota State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. She then went on to receive her Doctorate of Optometry degree at Pacific…

Kaitlyn Marshall
Kaitlyn Marshall O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Kaitlyn Marshall grew up in Lakeville and graduated from Apple Valley High School. Growing up, she was a patient at Apple Valley Eyecare and shadowed Dr. Wellik since she had always wanted to be an eye doctor. She then went on to the…

Patient Reviews

4.8
405 Reviews
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Dave M. - Jun 16, 2026
Can't recommend Dr. Anderson enough - clear, thorough, and friendly!
Roseann K. - May 26, 2026
Dr Anderson was very helpful and answered all my questions.

Dry Eyes Treatment in Apple Valley

7789 147th Street West
Photograph of Patrick Wellik
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8AM-6PM Every Wed. 9AM-6PM 3rd of the Month
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday 8AM-12PM 2nd Sat. of the Month
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • UMR
  • Superior Vision
  • Medica
Woman sitting at a desk, holding her head and rubbing her eyes in pain.

Don't suffer in silence

Contact us for lasting dry eye relief!

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