That annoying feeling of having something in your eye—even when there’s nothing there—is a common experience. You might also notice redness or a tired, burning sensation after a long day of looking at screens. These feelings can be more than just minor irritations; they can also be signs of dry eye disease.
You may have dry eyes if you consistently experience symptoms like a gritty sensation, stinging, light sensitivity, or even unexpectedly watery eyes. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward finding comfortable and lasting relief. As a family-focused eye doctor, we are here to help you understand what your eyes are telling you.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
You may experience a range of sensations when your eyes lack proper moisture. According to the National Eye Institute, these feelings can affect one or both eyes and may come and go.
A Gritty or Scratchy Sensation
This often feels like you have sand or another small particle in your eye. It’s a sign that the surface of your eye is irritated from a lack of lubrication.
Stinging & Burning Sensations
Your eyes may sting or burn, much like the feeling of getting soap in them. This discomfort can vary in intensity throughout the day, often feeling worse as the day goes on.
Unexpected Watery Eyes
It sounds contradictory, but dry eyes can cause your eyes to water excessively. This happens because your body detects the dryness and sends a rush of emergency tears—which lack the right composition to properly lubricate the eye.
Other Key Symptoms
- Eye redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or tired eyes
- Stringy mucus near your eyes
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Discomfort when you wear contact lenses
What Causes Dry & Irritated Eyes?
Not Enough Tears
Sometimes, the glands in your eyes just don’t produce enough of the watery component of tears to keep the surface moist. This can happen due to age, certain medical conditions, or as a side effect of some medications.
Poor Quality Tears
Other times, your tears may evaporate too quickly because they lack the right balance of oil and mucus. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common reason for this imbalance. Clogged oil glands along your eyelids are a frequent cause of this issue, leading to an unstable tear film.
Are Certain People More Prone To Dry Eyes?
Several factors can increase your chances of experiencing dry eye symptoms.
- Age: Tear production often decreases as we get older, particularly after age 50. This change is linked to structural deterioration of tear-producing glands.
- Gender: Women may experience dry eyes more frequently, especially due to hormonal changes from pregnancy, menopause, or oral contraceptives.
- Diet: A diet low in vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to symptoms.
- Contact Lenses: Regular use of contact lenses can sometimes interfere with the tear film and lead to dryness.
- Environment: Exposure to wind, smoke, or very dry air from heating and cooling systems can increase tear evaporation.
Simple Lifestyle Changes for Eye Comfort
You can take small steps at home and at work to help your eyes feel more comfortable.
Adjust Your Environment
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air, especially during dry months.
- Avoid direct air from fans, heaters, or air conditioners blowing into your eyes.
- Position your computer screen below eye level to reduce how wide you open your eyes, which can slow tear evaporation.
Adopt Eye-Friendly Habits
- Take frequent breaks from screens using the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outside to help block wind and dry air.
Professional Help & Treatment Options
Some conditions, like eye allergies, have symptoms that overlap with dry eye, such as redness and watery eyes. We can help you figure out the exact cause of your discomfort. If lifestyle changes don’t provide enough relief, we can explore a range of other options tailored to your needs.
In-Office Procedures
Our team offers several procedures that can address the root causes of dry eye. We can discuss options like Envision, a treatment that helps clear blocked glands in your eyelids to improve tear quality. Another option is punctal plugs, which are tiny devices placed in your tear ducts to help keep your natural tears on the surface of your eye longer.
Recommended Products & Supplements
We also carry a variety of products to help you support your eye health at home. These include HydroEye Omega-3 supplements for nutritional support, the Oasis Rest & Relief Mask for soothing heat therapy, and We Love Eyes cleansers and oils to keep your eyelids and lashes healthy.
If your eyes feel constantly irritated, you don’t have to just live with it. At Dr. Bittel Optometry, we are committed to patient education and finding a path to relief that works for you. Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor in Yorba Linda today, and let’s find a solution together.
