Dry Eye Disease
A common condition where the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the right quality of tears, leading to discomfort, irritation, and sometimes blurred vision.
Book a Dry Eye EvaluationNoticed it during a routine checkup?
Dry eye disease is often picked up incidentally during a comprehensive eye exam, sometimes before a person has connected their day-to-day discomfort to a specific diagnosis.
Dealing with gritty, tired, or irritated eyes daily?
A persistent gritty or burning sensation, especially with screen use, reading, or by the end of the day, is the most common way people first notice dry eye disease themselves.
What Is It?
Dry eye disease occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears produced are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly to keep the eye surface properly lubricated. This can result from reduced tear production, an unstable tear film, or both together.
It’s an extremely common condition, often aggravated by extended screen use, environmental factors like air conditioning, certain medications, and simply getting older. While usually not a vision-threatening condition, dry eye disease can meaningfully affect day-to-day comfort, and persistent or severe cases are worth a proper evaluation rather than relying indefinitely on over-the-counter drops alone.
Risk Factors
- Extended screen use
- Age, with dry eye becoming more common over 50
- Certain medications (antihistamines, some blood pressure medications, and others)
- Contact lens wear
- Environmental factors -- air conditioning, wind, low humidity
- Certain autoimmune conditions
Symptoms
- Gritty, burning, or scratchy sensation
- Excessive tearing (paradoxically common in dry eye)
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision that improves with blinking
- Discomfort that worsens by the end of the day or with screen use
Treatment
- Lubricating Eye Drops: The first-line treatment for most cases, used regularly to supplement natural tear film.
- Addressing Contributing Factors: Adjusting screen habits, environmental factors, or reviewing medications that may be contributing.
- Prescription Treatments: For more persistent cases, medicated drops that address tear production or inflammation directly.
- In-Office Procedures: For select cases, procedures to improve tear drainage or address specific underlying causes.
Related Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's dry eye disease or just allergies?
Does screen time really cause dry eyes?
Book a Dry Eye Evaluation
Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Rajeswari. Choose your preferred time and secure your slot instantly.
Open Booking Calendar