What is Dry Eye?
- Dr. Joy Lam, O.D.
- Nov 20, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 20, 2025
What is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes are unable to produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to stay properly lubricated. This common condition can lead to irritation, discomfort, and even damage to the eye’s surface if left untreated.
Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease
If you are suffering from dry eye disease, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
Burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
Irritated or watery eyes
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Eye redness, blurred vision, or eye fatigue
Sensation of having something in your eyes
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
If you recognize these symptoms, it’s important to book an appointment with your dry eye specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Key Information
Causes of Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye can result from a variety of factors, including:
Age: Tear production naturally decreases as we age.
Environmental factors: Wind, smoke, dry air, and prolonged screen time can contribute to dry eye.
Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorders.
Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and more can decrease tear production.
Hormonal changes: Menopause and pregnancy can alter tear production.
Refractive surgeries: Procedures like LASIK may lead to dry eyes post-surgery.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments at Refine Dry Eye Center
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
IPL therapy targets the inflamed blood vessels that contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It helps restore normal oil production to your tear film, reducing symptoms like irritation and dry eye.
TearCare®
TearCare® uses gentle heat to unblock your meibomian glands, improving oil flow and reducing tear evaporation. This treatment is ideal for patients suffering from evaporative dry eye due to MGD.
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
LLLT uses LED light technology to stimulate and repair the meibomian glands, helping improve tear quality and overall eye comfort.
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment)
ZEST is an in-office deep cleansing procedure using okra-based technology to clear debris and bacteria from your eyelids, improving eyelid health and relieving dry eye symptoms.
Amniotic Membrane Therapy
In severe cases, amniotic membranes may be placed on the eye to promote healing of the cornea, especially when dry eye has caused damage or scarring.
Prescription Medications
For patients who need additional support, your dry eye doctor can offer prescription medications to manage inflammation and tear production.
At-Home Treatments for Dry Eye
In addition to in-office treatments, we encourage ongoing at-home care to help manage your dry eye condition:
Warm compresses to stimulate oil glands
Lid scrubs to maintain eyelid hygiene
Over-the-counter artificial tears to supplement moisture
Hydration and lifestyle changes to support tear production
Supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve tear quality and reduce inflammation associated with dry eye
Why Prevention is Key for Managing Dry Eye Symptoms
Prevention is key for dry eye because it can avert long-term damage and complications like eye infections, corneal abrasions, and vision loss. By taking proactive steps, managing environmental factors, and maintaining good eye hygiene, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition and maintain better eye health.
Avoid progression and damage: Dry eye can worsen over time, leading to inflammation and damage to the eye's surface if left untreated. Prevention stops the condition from becoming severe enough to cause these issues.
Reduces the risk of complications: A lack of adequate tears can increase the risk of eye infections and can lead to more serious problems, such as corneal ulcers and vision loss.
Improves quality of life: Preventing dry eye makes everyday activities like reading, working, and using digital devices more comfortable and less painful
Tears are essential to your eye health, comfort and vision clarity
Despite popular belief, tears are not just made of saline. Depending on the type of tear, have a similar structure to saliva and contain enzymes, lipids, metabolites and electrolytes.
The Three Layers of the Tear Film
Each tear is made up of three layers:
Exterior Oily Layer - keeps the exterior of the tear smooth and prevent evaporation
Middle Watery layer - protects and hydrates the eye
Inner Mucus Layer - adheres the tear to the eye
The Life-cycle of Tears
"Lacrimal glands above each eye produce your tears. As you blink, tears spread across the surface of the eye. Then the tears drain into puncta, tiny holes in the corners of your upper and lower eyelids. Your tears then travel through small canals in the lids and down a duct before emptying into your nose. There, tears will either evaporate or be reabsorbed." -American Academy of Othalmology, "Facts about Tears"
Producing Less Tears with Older Age
Dry eye is a common problem to develop as people age. Hormonal changes, contact lenses, medications, blepharitis (common cause of irritation and swelling of the eyelids) and normal basal tear production can reduce tear production.
Start Your Dry Eye Relief Journey with Refine Dry Eye Center
There are many things that can be done to improve the relief and comfort of someone experiencing dry eye symptoms at any stage of life. Reach out to your local Dry Eye Center and Optometry offices to discuss your symptoms.
Book a Consultation
Refine Dry Eye Center provides a comprehensive Dry Eye Spa experience, combining expert care with advanced treatments to diagnose and address dry eyes effectively. As your trusted dry eye doctor, we focus on ensuring long-term comfort and vision improvement. Book a personalized consultation today to find relief from dry, irritated eyes.
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