Dry Eye Month

Written By Dr. Joseph Munsell

“My eyes are red, they burn, I rub them like crazy and it looks like I’m crying at times.” Do any or all of these sound like you? If so, you may have dry eye disease and you are not alone. There are many great things about our state; wide open spaces, friendly people, and low taxes but the wind and lack of humidity may not make that list. 

Dry eye disease is a general description for a condition in which you have an unstable tear film. When we have an unstable tear film we experience a myriad of symptoms including scratchiness, burning, irritation, watering, blurry vision and more. Many factors contribute to dryness including environmental causes here in Wyoming. Our wicked wind and lack of hydration in the air are the prime components. Working in dusty environments, looking at screens throughout the day, driving for extended periods at a time and prior eye surgeries contribute as well. 

This month we will dive in further on dry eye including:

    • What is a normal tear film

    • What is aqueous deficient dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction and how do they affect the tear film

    • What you can do to improve your condition 

    • What are the treatment options

Dr. Joseph Munsell

Joseph (Joe) Munsell, O.D. is a Wyoming native and was born and raised in Casper. Dr. Munsell is a partner at Cheyenne Vision Clinic. He received his BS degree with honors at the University of Wyoming and his Doctorate of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Munsell is a Wyoming licensed optometrist with full accreditation and is DEA certified to prescribe oral and topical medications to treat eye diseases and infections. He is a member of he Wyoming Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the Optometric Society of Optometric Surgeons. His areas of interest are in ocular disease, myopia management, and optometric surgery. During school he was inducted into the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society and was named student of the year by the Greater Western Council of Optometry in 2016. Dr. Munsell was awarded the Wyoming optometric Association’s young Optometrist of the Year in 2022. Dr. Munsell is a proud member of the Cheyenne Rotary Club and is deeply involved in his community. In his free time he enjoys skiing and golfing with his wife Lauren and playing fetch with his golden retriever.

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