North Carolina’s First Dry Eye Center
What is Dry Eye?
Dr. Eric Schmidt founded his practice on the belief that state-of-the-art eye care can be delivered in a comfortable setting right here in Elizabethtown, NC. Additionally, Dr. Schmidt is a renowned lecturer on glaucoma as well as diabetes and dry eye.
During his 27 years of experience, Dr. Schmidt strives every day to deliver exquisite eye care that is unique to each patient – and that value has remained a constant since he opened the Dry Eye Center of the Carolinas.
The Dry Eye Center of The Carolinas, a department within Bladen Eye Center, has been pioneering new procedures to help alleviate the suffering that comes with dry eye, an ocular surface disease resulting from inadequate production of tears.
Management of this disorder starts with an accurate diagnosis followed by a treatment plan and detailed follow-up protocol using the most advanced technologies in the industry to reduce symptoms and eliminate further damage to the eye’s surface.
Tears are vital to the longevity of eye health and providing clear vision. The lack of good quality tears to nourish and lubricate the eye is a condition called Dry Eye, which is becoming a more common and chronic issue. According to a recent study by the American Journal of Ophthalmology, 5.28% of Americans suffer from Dry eye, and that number is expected to increase in the coming years. That’s over 17 million people with burning, itchy eyes who are looking for long term relief.
The Dry Eye Center was developed to provide lasting relief for chronic sufferers.
It’s important to diagnose dry eye early, as symptoms only worsen over time. The most common symptom patients with dry eye notice are their eyes seeming heavy and dry. Other symptoms include:
- Gritty or burning sensation
- Episodes of blurry or fuzzy vision
- Trouble focusing on everyday tasks
- Light sensitivity
- Eye discomfort that increases throughout the day
- Discomfort when wearing contacts
- Crusty or mucus discharge from eyes
Suffering from any of the symptoms listed? Now is the time to set up an appointment with Bladen Eye Center. You can also learn more about what to expect from a dry eye exam with the links below.
Please schedule a dry eye exam with North Carolina's first Dry Eye Center and our expert Eye doctors and find the relief you been waiting for!