Understanding dry eye
Dry Eye Symptoms & Causes
Dry eye disease is one of the most common and under-treated eye conditions. Understanding what is actually going wrong is the first step toward lasting relief — and toward treating the cause instead of masking it with drops.
What is dry eye?
Dry eye happens when your tears can no longer keep the surface of your eye smooth, nourished, and protected. That can mean you aren't making enough tears, that your tears evaporate too quickly, or — most often — a combination of both. A healthy tear film is a living, layered shield; when any layer fails, the surface becomes inflamed and uncomfortable.
Evaporative vs aqueous-deficient dry eye
Evaporative dry eye is by far the most common form. The eye makes enough watery tears, but the oily layer that seals them in is missing or poor, so tears evaporate too fast. This is usually driven by meibomian gland dysfunction.
Aqueous-deficient dry eye means the eye simply doesn't produce enough of the watery portion of tears. Many patients actually have a mix of both, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters so much before choosing a treatment.
Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
The meibomian glands line your eyelids and produce the oil (meibum) that keeps tears from evaporating. When these glands become clogged, inflamed, or begin to shut down, the tear film breaks up within seconds and the eye dries out. Because MGD is the root cause for most patients, many of our therapies — IPL, radiofrequency, and red light therapy — are aimed directly at restoring these glands.
Common dry eye symptoms
- ◆Burning, stinging or a gritty, sandy feeling
- ◆Fluctuating or blurry vision that clears when you blink
- ◆Trouble driving at night from glare and haze
- ◆Watery, teary eyes (a paradox — reflex tearing from dryness)
- ◆Redness, irritation and tired, heavy eyes
- ◆Sensitivity to light, wind and air conditioning
- ◆Discomfort or intolerance wearing contact lenses
The watery-eye paradox surprises many patients: when the surface dries out and becomes irritated, the eye floods with reflex tears that lack the oily layer needed to stay put — so your eyes water even though they're dry.
Risk factors & triggers
Screens & digital devices
Concentrated screen work cuts your blink rate, leaving the tear film unstable and the surface exposed.
Contact lens wear
Long-term contact lens use can stress the ocular surface and worsen evaporation.
LASIK & eye surgery
Refractive and other eye surgeries can temporarily or chronically reduce corneal sensation and tear production.
Menopause & hormones
Hormonal shifts, especially around menopause, are strongly linked to dry eye disease.
Medications
Antihistamines, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications can reduce tear production.
Houston climate & allergens
Gulf Coast heat, humidity swings, air conditioning, and heavy seasonal pollen all aggravate the ocular surface.
Because dry eye has so many overlapping causes, no two treatment plans look the same. During a consultation, Dr. Caroline Wells identifies the specific drivers behind your symptoms and builds a plan to treat them at the source. Explore our advanced treatments or read our dry eye FAQ.
Take the next step
See the treatments in person
Join our next live dry eye workshop and demo, ask Dr. Wells your questions, and learn what's actually causing your symptoms.