If your eyes often feel dry, itchy, or irritated, you may be experiencing a condition known as dry eye. It is more than just occasional discomfort. Dry eye can interfere with your daily life, making it difficult to read, use a computer, or wear contact lenses comfortably. At Eye to Eye Optometry, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye with personalized solutions designed to address the root cause of your symptoms.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This imbalance leads to inflammation, irritation, and discomfort, affecting your ability to see clearly and perform daily tasks comfortably. While dry eye can affect anyone, it’s particularly common with age.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Understanding what’s causing your dry eye is key to finding lasting relief. Common contributors include:

Aging & Hormonal Changes: Natural aging and menopause can reduce tear production.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): These glands produce the oil layer in tears; when blocked, tears evaporate too quickly.
Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids can impact tear quality.
Eye Surgery: Procedures like LASIK can temporarily or permanently disrupt tear production.
Contact Lens Use: Wearing contact lenses for extended periods can cause or worsen dry eye.
Allergies: Allergic reactions can irritate the eyes and impact tear production.
Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications can contribute to dry eyes.
Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis may lead to chronic dryness.
Screen Time: Reduced blinking during prolonged screen use contributes to tear evaporation.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Dry Eye

Dry eye can present with a wide range of symptoms, including:

Burning or stinging sensation
Redness and irritation
Blurred or fluctuating vision
Sensitivity to light
A feeling of grittiness or something in the eye
Excessive tearing
Eye fatigue

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional care to avoid complications and chronic discomfort.

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

At Eye to Eye Optometry, we perform a comprehensive dry eye evaluation to determine the root cause of your symptoms. This involves examining tear volume and quality, evaluating the eyelid and meibomian gland function, and identifying any underlying conditions that may be contributing. Identifying the specific cause is essential for providing targeted and effective treatment.

Personalized Treatment Options

Once we determine the cause of your dry eye, we create a personalized treatment plan designed to target the underlying issue and provide lasting relief. One common approach is eyelid hygiene, which involves regular cleaning of the eyelids to manage conditions like blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Keeping the eyelids clean helps restore healthy tear function and reduces inflammation.

Artificial tears may be recommended to provide temporary relief by adding moisture to the eyes and soothing irritation. For more persistent cases, prescription eye drops can help reduce inflammation and stimulate natural tear production. We may also suggest nutritional supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support tear quality and reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the eyes.

In some cases, punctal plugs are used to retain natural tears on the eye’s surface. These tiny devices are inserted into the tear ducts to slow tear drainage and help keep the eyes lubricated.

For patients with MGD or evaporative dry eye, we may recommend Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, an advanced in-office treatment that helps unblock meibomian glands and improve the stability of the tear film.

Our goal is not just to relieve symptoms but to address the root cause of your dry eye, promoting long-term comfort and supporting your overall eye health.

Comprehensive Dry Eye Care in Antioch, California

Dry eye may be common, but it doesn’t have to interfere with your quality of life. By identifying the root cause and using the latest treatment options, Eye to Eye Optometry provides effective, lasting relief for patients in Antioch and the surrounding communities.

Schedule your dry eye consultation today and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision