Dry Eye Awareness Month

Despite the fact that dry eye affects millions of people, it often goes underdiagnosed or dismissed. Dry eye disease can significantly impact daily comfort, vision quality and quality of life, so Dry Eye Awareness Month is here to help patients understand that improvement from effective treatments is possible.

Dry Eye Causes & Symptoms

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or produce tears that evaporate too quickly, leading to inflammation and surface irritation on the eye. This can cause symptoms like burning, stinging, grittiness, redness, fluctuating vision and eye fatigue. Over time, untreated dry eye can worsen and interfere with reading, screen use, driving and other daily activities.

Dry eye isn’t simply a minor inconvenience; it’s a medical condition with multiple underlying causes. Environmental factors, aging, hormonal changes, medications, screen time or dysfunction of the oil-producing glands in the eyelids can all contribute to dry eye. When the tear film becomes unstable, the eye surface becomes inflamed and symptoms persist or worsen without treatment.

Individualized Dry Eye Treatment at Fisher-Swale-Nicholson Eye Center

One of the most important messages during Dry Eye Awareness Month is that treatment is highly individualized. The goal is to restore a healthy tear film, reduce inflammation and improve long term eye comfort. Depending on your individual needs, treatment may include:

• Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to help relieve mild dryness
• Prescription medications to reduce inflammation associated with chronic dry eye disease
• Eyelid hygiene and therapies that improve meibomian gland function, which is often affected in patients with evaporative dry eye
• In-office treatments, such as punctal plugs or thermal therapies, to improve tear retention and support a healthier tear film
• Lifestyle recommendations, including taking regular breaks from digital screens, staying hydrated and making environmental adjustments to reduce tear evaporation

Because dry eye disease often has more than one underlying cause, the most effective treatment plans frequently combine several therapies to address both symptoms and their source. While over-the-counter eye drops may provide temporary relief, persistent burning, irritation, fluctuating vision or a gritty sensation should not be ignored. A comprehensive dry eye evaluation can help identify the cause of your symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment to protect your long-term eye health.