Overview
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common reasons patients visit eye doctors — and one of the most under-treated. It happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears, the tears evaporate too quickly, or the tear chemistry is off. Symptoms range from mild irritation to constant burning and blurred vision. The good news: most dry eye is highly treatable once we identify the underlying cause.
Symptoms
- •Burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation
- •Watery eyes (yes — reflex tearing from dryness)
- •Blurred vision that improves with blinking
- •Light sensitivity
- •Eye fatigue, especially with screen use
- •Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- •A feeling of something in your eye
Causes & Risk Factors
- •Age — tear production decreases over time
- •Female sex (especially after menopause)
- •Long screen time (we blink less when staring)
- •Contact lens wear
- •Medications: antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs
- •Autoimmune conditions like Sjögren syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis
- •Dry, windy, or low-humidity environments
- •Previous LASIK or cataract surgery
How It's Diagnosed
Dry eye is evaluated through tear-film examination, lid-margin assessment, and (when indicated) tear-quality measurements. We work to identify the specific TYPE of dry eye, because treatment depends on whether the issue is tear production, tear evaporation, or tear chemistry.
Treatment Options
- 1Artificial tear drops (the right kind for your specific dry eye type)
- 2Warm compresses and lid hygiene for evaporative dry eye
- 3Prescription eye drops (Restasis, Xiidra, Cequa) for chronic cases
- 4Punctal plugs to slow tear drainage
- 5Omega-3 supplementation
- 6Environmental and screen-habit modifications
- 7In-office procedures (IPL, LipiFlow) when available locally
When to See an Eye Doctor
If over-the-counter artificial tears are no longer enough, or if dry eye is affecting your comfort, vision, or contact-lens wear — it's time for an evaluation. Most patients have many more options than they realize.