Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons patients visit an ophthalmologist. Many patients think dry eye is “minor,” but chronic dry eye can significantly affect comfort and vision.
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly.
Common Symptoms
- Burning
- Stinging
- Redness
- Foreign body sensation
- Blurry vision that improves with blinking
- Excess tearing (reflex tearing)
Common Causes
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Screen time
- Aging
- Hormonal changes
- Medications
- Contact lens use
- Florida heat and AC environments
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
- Prescription drops (Restasis, Xiidra, etc.)
- Artificial tears (non-preserved recommended)
- Punctal plugs
- Warm compress therapy
- LipiFlow
- IPL therapy
- Meibomian gland expression
Why Treat Dry Eye Early?
Dry eye can cause:
- Damage to the corneal surface
- Poor vision quality
- Difficulty wearing contacts
- Increased infection risk