When tears do not do their job
Dry eye can happen when the eyes do not make enough tears, when tears evaporate too quickly, or when the tear film does not function well enough to keep the eye surface comfortable. Symptoms may include burning, scratchiness, redness, light sensitivity, or blurry vision.
Paradoxically, irritated eyes may also water. Symptoms alone do not always identify the underlying contributor.
Evaluation before treatment
Useful care begins with a history and examination. Your optometrist may ask about contact lens wear, screen use, medications, health conditions, environment, and when symptoms occur. The eye surface, eyelids, and tear film may all be relevant.
Treatment depends on what the evaluation suggests. An over-the-counter drop that helps one person may not address another person’s needs, so persistent or disruptive symptoms deserve a conversation with an eye doctor.
What to bring
Bring the drops and contact lens products you currently use, along with a medication list. Note whether symptoms are worse at a certain time of day, in a particular environment, or during a specific activity. Those patterns can be valuable clues.
Reviewed against patient education from National Eye Institute ↗. This article is general education, not individualized medical advice.