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Dry Eye Disease: Understanding the Condition and Its Treatment

Dry eye disease is one of the most common ocular conditions. It occurs when the eyes either do not produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly because of poor tear quality. The tear film has three layers—oil, water, and mucus—and a problem with any of these layers can lead to dry eye.

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Common symptoms:

• Dryness, burning, or stinging

• Grittiness or the sensation of sand in the eyes

• Redness

• Fluctuating or blurry vision, especially when reading or using a computer

• Excessive tearing (a reflex response to dryness)

• Light sensitivity

• Eye fatigue

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Common causes:

• Aging

• Prolonged screen time and reduced blinking

• Contact lens wear

• Certain medications (such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and some blood pressure medications)

• Hormonal changes

• Autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren syndrome

• Eyelid disorders or Meibomian gland dysfunction

• Previous eye surgery, including LASIK

• Dry, windy, or smoky environments

 

​How dry eye is diagnosed:

• Tear production

• Tear stability (tear breakup time)

• Corneal and conjunctival staining

• Meibomian gland function

• Tear osmolarity and inflammatory markers (in some clinics)

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Treatment options (Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity):

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Lifestyle changes

• Blink more frequently during screen use.

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).

• Stay hydrated.

• Use a humidifier.

• Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors.

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Artificial tears

• Use preservative-free lubricating eye drops if you need drops more than four times a day.

• Lubricating gels or ointments can provide longer-lasting relief, especially at bedtime.

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Treating meibomian gland dysfunction

• Warm compresses for 10–15 minutes daily.

• Gentle eyelid massage.

• Eyelid hygiene with lid scrubs or cleansers.

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We now offer Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy and NuLids®️ as part of our comprehensive dry eye treatment program. These innovative therapies target the root causes of dry eye by improving meibomian gland function and promoting healthy eyelids. If you suffer from dry, irritated, or fluctuating vision, ask us whether these treatments are right for you.