You may sometimes feel a scratchy, burning, or just plain uncomfortable sensation in your eyes. This feeling can be a constant distraction, making it difficult to focus on your work, enjoy a good book, or even drive at night. If you find yourself reaching for eye drops often, you might wonder what’s causing the irritation, a common concern the team at Eyecare Plus helps patients address.
You can tell if you have dry eyes by recognizing a consistent pattern of symptoms like stinging, redness, watery eyes, or a gritty feeling, as if something is in your eye. These signs point to an issue with your tear quality or quantity, which prevents your eyes from staying properly lubricated. A thorough dry eye diagnosis can help identify the specific cause of your discomfort.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
You might have dry eye if you often experience certain uncomfortable feelings. These symptoms can show up in one or both of your eyes. Pay attention to see if you notice a pattern of these common signs.
- A stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling
- The sensation that something is in your eye
- Redness or irritation
- Watery eyes—your body’s response to the irritation
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
- Trouble with nighttime driving
- Difficulty or discomfort when you wear contact lenses
It might seem strange that watery eyes are a sign of dry eye, but it’s your body’s way of responding to the irritation. Your eyes produce more tears to compensate, but these reflex tears are mostly water and don’t have the oil needed to keep your eyes properly lubricated. If you regularly notice these issues, a professional can discuss possible dry eye treatments with you.
What Causes That Uncomfortable Feeling?
Dry eye occurs when your tears do not keep the surface of your eye moist enough. Think of your tear film as a smooth, protective shield for your eye. When that shield has gaps or evaporates too quickly, the sensitive surface underneath becomes exposed, leading to irritation. This can happen for a couple of main reasons.
Not Enough Tears
Sometimes, your body’s tear production can slow down. Your environment can also play a part. Spending time in windy, dry, or smoky conditions can cause your tears to evaporate faster than your body can replace them. This can be related to age, certain underlying health conditions, or even some medications you might take. Without a sufficient amount of tears, your eyes can lose their natural moisture and feel dry.
Poor Quality Tears
Healthy tears are a specific mix of water, oil, and mucus. This balance is what keeps the surface of your eye smooth and clear. It also helps prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly, thanks to a protective oil layer produced by meibomian glands in your eyelids. When the oil glands become clogged or the oil layer is too thin, the watery part of your tears evaporates too quickly, much like water disappearing from a puddle on a hot day. If this mixture is off, your tears can’t work correctly, which leaves your eyes feeling unprotected.
For patients whose dry eyes are caused by poor oil gland function, Eyecare Plus offers advanced energy-based treatments—such as OptiLIFT, Optima IPL, and ThermiEyes RF—to warm, soften, and restore the natural oil flow needed for a stable tear film.
Risk Factors for Dry Eye
Certain factors can make it more likely for you to develop dry eye symptoms. While it can affect anyone, your risk might be higher if any of the following situations apply to you.
- You are over 50 years old
- You experience hormonal changes
- You wear contact lenses
- You spend a lot of time in dry, windy, or smoky places
- You look at computer or phone screens for long periods, which can contribute to digital eye strain
When you stare at a screen, for example, your blink rate can drop by more than half without you even noticing. Blinking is what spreads fresh tears across your eyes, so fewer blinks mean less moisture and more opportunity for discomfort to set in.
Simple Tips for Relief at Home
You can make small changes in your daily routine that can help soothe your eyes and bring some comfort. These simple habits may help reduce the irritation you feel from day to day.
- Remember to blink often, especially when you read or use a computer
- Increase the humidity in the air at your home or workplace
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from wind and sun
- Take screen breaks using the 20-20-20 rule to rest your eyes
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
These habits help reduce strain on your eyes or create a more comfortable environment for your tear film. For instance, a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which helps slow down the evaporation of your tears and keeps your eyes more comfortable.
In-Office Dry Eye Treatment Options
If you’re struggling with persistent dryness, irritation, or fluctuating vision, Eyecare Plus offers a full range of modern dry eye treatments to target the root cause—not just the symptoms. Depending on your evaluation, your eye doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following therapies:
- LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation applies heat and gentle pressure to clear blocked oil glands
- Blepharo Exfoliation deeply cleans the eyelid margins to remove debris and reduce inflammation
- Punctal Plugs help retain moisture by slowing tear drainage
Your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific dry eye type and the severity of your symptoms.
When to Schedule an Eye Exam
If these symptoms continue and start to affect your daily life—such as reading, working, or driving—a professional evaluation can help you find answers. An eye doctor in Greater Nashville can perform a comprehensive eye exam to understand what’s causing your discomfort.
During a dry eye evaluation, the team uses specific tools to look at your tear film and the glands in your eyelids. This gives them a clear picture of what’s happening on the surface of your eye. Understanding the root cause is the first step toward finding effective relief and preventing the discomfort from interfering with your life. From there, the team can discuss appropriate options to fit your specific needs.
You don’t have to live with constant eye irritation. If you’re ready to address your dry eye symptoms, the team at Eyecare Plus is here to help. With locations in Antioch (Hickory Hollow), Clarksville, Columbia, Green Hills, Hendersonville, and Murfreesboro, we make it easy to access the care you need. Schedule an appointment to get a clear picture of your eye health and explore personalized solutions.
