Treatment Options for Dry Eye to Explore During Dry Eye Awareness Month

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease, happens when the eyes are not properly lubricated by a healthy tear film. Tears are essential for keeping the eyes comfortable and healthy because they help maintain moisture on the eye’s surface, flush away irritants, and provide nutrients to the cornea. When the eyes do not have enough lubrication, they may become dry, irritated, inflamed, and uncomfortable.

In dry eye disease, the tear film that coats the eye may evaporate too quickly or may not be replenished the way it should be. This imbalance can cause the eye’s surface to feel gritty, scratchy, burning, or irritated. Symptoms may range from mild discomfort to more significant dryness that affects daily activities like reading, driving, computer use, or wearing contact lenses.

Because dry eye symptoms can overlap with allergies, digital eye strain, contact lens irritation, and other eye conditions, a comprehensive eye exam is the best way to better understand what may be causing your discomfort.

Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye can develop for several reasons. Some causes affect tear production, some affect tear quality, and others increase tear evaporation. Identifying the cause can help guide the most effective treatment plan.

• Aging: As we age, tear production naturally decreases, making dry eye more common in individuals over 50.

• Environmental Factors: Dry climates, air conditioning, smoke, wind, and pollutants can all contribute to dry eye by increasing tear evaporation.

• Health Conditions: Certain conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the quality of tears or the glands responsible for producing them.

• Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and beta-blockers, can reduce tear production as a side effect, making dry eye symptoms more prominent.

• Contact Lens Wear: Long-term or improper use of contact lenses can contribute to dry eyes, as the lenses can absorb moisture from the eye’s surface and disrupt tear distribution.

• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal shifts like those experienced during pregnancy, menopause, or because of certain birth control methods can affect tear production and lead to dry eye.

• Screen Time: Prolonged exposure to digital screens, whether for work, entertainment, or study, often leads to reduced blinking, contributing to dry eye symptoms.

Potential Dry Eye Symptoms

Recognizing the symptoms of dry eye is an important first step in managing the condition. Many people experience occasional dryness, but dry eye disease is more likely when symptoms persist, return frequently, or begin affecting daily life. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to more severe discomfort, and they may change depending on your environment, activities, or time of day.

Common dry eye symptoms include:

• Gritty or scratchy sensation

• Burning or stinging

• Redness

• Blurred vision

• Excessive tearing

• Light sensitivity

• Eye fatigue

Watery eyes can also be a sign of dry eye. When the eyes are irritated, they may produce extra tears, but those tears may not have the right balance to keep the surface of the eye comfortable.

Mild dryness may sometimes improve with simple at-home care, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated by an eye doctor. If your symptoms are ongoing, worsening, painful, making contact lenses uncomfortable, or interfering with daily activities, it is a good time to schedule an eye exam at eyecarecenter.

When to You See an Eye Doctor for Dry Eye

You should schedule an eye exam for dry eye if your symptoms continue, worsen over time, affect your vision, make contact lenses harder to wear, or interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, working, or using digital screens.

You should also seek care if you have significant redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, discharge, sudden changes in vision, or symptoms that do not improve with over-the-counter lubricating drops. An eye doctor can examine your tear quality, tear quantity, eyelids, and eye surface to help identify the cause and recommend the right treatment plan.

How Dry Eye Syndrome is Treated

The best dry eye treatment for you depends on what is causing your symptoms and how severe they are. Mild dryness may improve with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter products, while moderate to severe dry eye may require prescription medication or in-office treatment. Here are some common ways dry eye symptoms may be treated.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Small changes to your daily routine can make a meaningful difference for some people with dry eye.

1. Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air in your home or office can prevent tear evaporation and reduce dryness, especially in dry or air-conditioned environments.

2. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: If you spend a lot of time in front of screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on something 20 feet away. This encourages natural blinking and reduces eye strain.

3. Increase Your Water Intake: Staying hydrated helps maintain the health of your tear glands, ensuring that your eyes are adequately lubricated.

4. Avoid Wind and Direct Sunlight: Wearing sunglasses or protective eyewear can help shield your eyes from harsh winds and UV rays, both of which can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.

5. Take Breaks: When reading, working on a computer, or engaging in other visually demanding activities, take regular breaks to rest your eyes and reduce the risk of dryness and irritation.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, often called artificial tears, are one of the most common treatments for dry eye. They help provide moisture and relieve symptoms such as scratchiness, burning, and irritation. Preservative-free formulas are also available for people with sensitive eyes. Some people may benefit from thicker gel drops or ointments, especially overnight. These products can provide longer-lasting relief and may be especially helpful for people who wake up with dry eyes in the morning.

If you need artificial tears several times a day, preservative-free drops may be a better option because certain preservatives can become irritating with frequent use. It is also a good idea to avoid using redness-relief drops as your main dry eye treatment unless your eye doctor specifically recommends them, since they may not address the actual cause of dryness.

Warm compresses may also help. Applying a warm compress to the eyelids can help open blocked meibomian glands, which produce the oily part of the tear film. That oil helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly, so improving gland function may improve tear quality and comfort.

Prescription Treatments

If dry eye is moderate to severe, your eye care provider may recommend prescription treatment options.

• Restasis®: Restasis is a prescription eye drop that helps reduce inflammation and increase tear production. It may be recommended for chronic dry eye related to inflammation.

• Xiidra®: Xiidra is another prescription eye drop used to target inflammation associated with dry eye disease and improve overall eye comfort.

• Punctal Plugs: These small devices are placed in the tear ducts to slow tear drainage and help keep more moisture on the eye’s surface. They may be especially helpful for people who have trouble maintaining enough tears.

Your eye doctor may also recommend other prescription or in-office treatments depending on the severity and cause of your symptoms. Because dry eye often has more than one contributing factor, treatment may include a combination of drops, lid care, lifestyle adjustments, and procedures.

Advanced Therapies

In some cases, more advanced treatment may be recommended. LipiFlow® is an in-office treatment that uses heat and gentle massage to help treat meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a common cause of dry eye. This treatment is intended to help restore healthier oil flow and improve tear quality.

For more severe dry eye, scleral lenses may also be an option. These large gas-permeable lenses create a moisture reservoir over the eye’s surface. They can be especially beneficial for people with severe dryness or corneal damage because they provide ongoing hydration and protection.