Understanding Dry Eye Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Relief Options

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the ocular surface that can worsen over time without effective treatment. This common eye disorder occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly due to poor tear quality. The result is eye discomfort, blurred vision, and potential damage to the front surface of the eye.

One of the most common causes of dry eye is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)—a condition where the oil glands in your eyelids become blocked or do not produce enough oil. This oil is essential for preventing the evaporation of your natural tears. According to a recent study, 86% of patients diagnosed with dry eye syndrome have underlying MGD.

Common Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

If you're suffering from dry eye, you may notice a variety of symptoms that range from mild irritation to significant vision disturbances. These symptoms may worsen in specific environments, such as dry climates, during air travel, while using digital screens, or in air-conditioned rooms.

Dry Eye Symptoms Include:

• A stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling in the eyes

• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes

• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

• The sensation of grit or a foreign body, like sand, in your eyes

• Redness or inflammation of the eyes

• Blurred or fluctuating vision, especially during digital screen use

• Eye fatigue or tired eyes

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Discomfort or difficulty with nighttime driving

• Excessive tearing or watery eyes, which is the body's response to dryness and irritation

• Sharp pain or shooting eye discomfort

• Contact lens intolerance, often due to inadequate lubrication
  
  

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye can result from multiple contributing factors, including:

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

• Aging

• Hormonal changes, particularly in women

• Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, etc.)

• Autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s Syndrome

• Environmental conditions (wind, smoke, dry climate)

• Prolonged screen use or inadequate blinking

• LASIK or other refractive eye surgeries
  
  

Personalized Dry Eye Treatment Options

At Envision Eye Care, we take a comprehensive and personalized approach to diagnosing and treating dry eye disease. Using advanced diagnostic tools, we analyze your tear film, eyelid health, and meibomian gland function to identify the root cause of your symptoms. Whether your dry eye is due to evaporative issues from meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or insufficient tear production, our goal is to restore lasting comfort and support your long-term eye health.

Our Dry Eye Treatment Services May Include:

• Lid Hygiene & Thermal Therapies: These in-office and at-home solutions help cleanse the eyelids, remove debris and bacteria, and gently warm the oil glands to promote better tear quality.
  
  

• Prescription Eye Drops & Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Depending on your needs, we may prescribe lubricating drops, anti-inflammatory therapies, or medications that boost natural tear production and reduce ocular surface irritation.
  
  

• In-Office Meibomian Gland Expression: We offer targeted treatments to unblock the meibomian glands, helping to restore the flow of healthy oils to the tear film and alleviate evaporative dry eye symptoms.
  
  

• Punctal Plugs: These small, comfortable devices are inserted into your tear ducts to slow tear drainage, allowing your natural tears to stay on the surface of your eyes longer.
  
  

• Omega-3 Supplementation & Lifestyle Support: Diet, hydration, screen use, and environmental factors all impact eye comfort. We’ll guide you with nutritional advice and daily habits that promote tear stability and overall eye wellness.
  
  

Advanced Technology for Dry Eye Relief

• Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy
  RF is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses therapeutic heat to stimulate collagen production and warm the eyelids. This process helps liquefy and release hardened oils trapped in the meibomian glands, improving their function and providing relief from chronic dry eye. RF also promotes healthy circulation and skin tightening around the eyes, contributing to both ocular and aesthetic wellness.
  
  

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
  IPL delivers controlled light pulses to the skin around the eyes, targeting inflammation and abnormal blood vessels that contribute to dry eye disease. It’s particularly effective for patients with rosacea, redness, and inflammatory MGD. IPL not only reduces inflammation but also stimulates the meibomian glands, helping improve oil flow and tear film quality.
  
  

Dry Eye Relief Starts at Envision Eye Care

Dry eye can interfere with everything from reading and driving to enjoying time outdoors. At Envision Eye Care, we’re committed to helping you find lasting relief with customized care and advanced therapies.
Let us design a treatment plan that’s tailored to your lifestyle and unique needs.

Schedule your dry eye consultation today and rediscover the comfort of clear, healthy vision.