We’ve all had days when our eyes feel a little irritated—maybe after staring at a screen too long or spending time outside on a windy day. But when that dryness, itchiness, or gritty feeling becomes a regular part of your life, it could be more than just a temporary issue. It might be something called dry eye syndrome—and if you're dealing with it, you're definitely not alone.
At Arlington Vision Source, we see patients from all over Arlington who are tired of constantly rubbing their eyes, blinking through blurry vision, or relying on eye drops that only seem to work for a little while. The good news? There are real, long-term solutions—and it starts with understanding what’s going on.
What Exactly Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes can’t stay properly lubricated. That might be because your body isn’t producing enough tears, or because the tears you do make aren’t high enough quality to keep your eyes comfortable. It’s a surprisingly complex condition that can affect anyone, although it’s especially common as we age or if we spend a lot of time in front of screens (sound familiar?).
The symptoms can show up in different ways, including:
- A burning or stinging sensation
- Redness and irritation
- Blurred or fluctuating vision throughout the day
- Feeling like there’s something in your eye (even when there isn’t)
- Light sensitivity
- And yes—even watery eyes! (Believe it or not, excess tearing is sometimes your body’s way of trying to compensate for dryness.)
If you’re constantly reaching for eye drops or dabbing at your eyes with a tissue, it may be time to get to the bottom of it.
Why Does This Happen?
Dry eye has a lot of potential causes, and often, it’s a combination of several factors. Here are some of the most common ones we see in our clinic:
- Age: Tear production naturally slows down as we get older.
- Hormones: Especially for women, hormonal changes during menopause can trigger dry eye symptoms.
- Screens: Staring at phones, tablets, or computers reduces how often we blink—which means fewer opportunities for our eyes to stay moisturized.
- Environment: Dry climates, indoor heating, or air conditioning can all dry out the eyes.
- Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disorders can contribute.
- Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, and even some blood pressure meds can interfere with tear production.
- Contact lenses: Wearing contacts—especially for long periods—can increase dryness for some people.
Identifying the root cause is key to finding the right solution. That’s why a thorough evaluation is so important.
How We Diagnose Dry Eye at Arlington Vision Source
If you’re wondering whether dry eye is behind your symptoms, the best thing to do is get a comprehensive eye exam. At Arlington Vision Source, we use advanced tools and technology to take a deep dive into what’s really going on with your tear film and eye surface.
Our diagnostic process may include:
- Measuring how quickly your tears evaporate
- Checking the health of your meibomian glands (these glands help keep tears from drying out too fast)
- Looking at tear volume and quality
- Using special dyes to spot damage on the surface of your eyes
This gives us a complete picture of your eye health—so we’re not just treating the symptoms, but the underlying issue.
You Have Options: Managing Dry Eye with the Right Plan
Here’s the part that surprises most people: dry eye syndrome is very manageable once we know what’s causing it. And the solution is almost never just artificial tears.
Depending on your specific situation, we may recommend one or more of the following:
- Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation or increase tear production
- Warm compresses and eyelid scrubs to help unblock oil glands
- Punctal plugs—tiny devices inserted into the tear ducts to help your natural tears stick around longer
- Nutritional support like omega-3 supplements, which can improve tear quality over time
- Scleral lenses, which create a fluid-filled cushion over the eye (these are especially helpful for severe or advanced cases)
We also talk a lot about lifestyle changes—like adjusting your screen habits, using a humidifier, or even changing how you clean your face and eyelids. Every detail matters when it comes to eye comfort.
What About Over-the-Counter Drops?
If you're using artificial tears more than a few times a day and still not feeling relief, it's time for something more tailored. Many OTC drops contain preservatives that can actually make dry eye worse with long-term use. At Arlington Vision Source, our eye doctor can help you find preservative-free options or treatments that go beyond temporary relief.
Let’s Get Your Eyes Back to Feeling Comfortable in Arlington
Living with dry eye can be frustrating. It impacts your focus, your comfort, and sometimes even your mood. But you don’t have to settle for irritated, blurry vision or rely on eye drops for the rest of your life.
Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, our dry eye optometrist at Arlington Vision Source is here to help you see clearly and feel better—with personalized care, modern technology, and a whole lot of experience.
If you’re in Arlington and dry eye is making your days harder than they need to be, we’d love to see you. Let’s talk about your symptoms, explore what’s causing them, and get you on the path to real, lasting relief.