Dry Eye, Dry No More: Real Relief at The Eye Center
If your eyes constantly feel irritated, gritty, or blurry—or if they water more than usual—it’s easy to assume it’s just allergies, tiredness, or screen time. But these symptoms may be signs of Dry Eye Disease (DED), a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears they do produce aren’t effective.
Dry eye can affect your ability to focus, read, work on screens, or enjoy outdoor time comfortably. At The Eye Center, we help patients across all ages find lasting relief through personalized care and advanced diagnostic technology.
What Is Dry Eye?
Healthy tears do more than keep your eyes moist; they create a smooth surface for clear vision and protect your eyes from irritation and infection. Dry Eye occurs when:
- Your eyes don’t make enough tears, or
- Your tears lack the right balance of water, oil, and mucus to stay on the eye's surface
Prolonged screen use, a contributing factor in both dry eye and progressive nearsightedness, can especially affect younger patients. Learn more about our myopia management services.
Common Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye can feel different for everyone. Common symptoms include:
- Burning or stinging
- Dryness or gritty sensation
- Redness or irritation
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Excessive tearing or watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Eye fatigue
Watery eyes can still signal dry eye; when your tears evaporate too quickly, your eyes may overproduce watery tears as a response.
Why Dry Eye Happens
Dry eye can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to develop it. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Aging, especially over 50
- Hormonal changes, especially in women
- Certain medications, such as antihistamines or antidepressants
- Environmental exposure: dry climates, air conditioning, smoke, wind
- Prolonged screen time, which reduces blink rate
- Medical conditions, including rosacea, autoimmune disorders, and eyelid inflammation
Prevention and Daily Habits
There are small steps you can take to support eye comfort between visits:
- Use a humidifier indoors, especially in dry seasons
- Take regular blinking breaks during screen use
- Wear wraparound sunglasses in dusty or windy conditions
- Stay well-hydrated
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
While these habits may help reduce irritation, they’re not a substitute for targeted treatment when dry eye persists.
How The Eye Center Helps
Dry eye care at The Eye Center is tailored to your eyes, your lifestyle, and your long-term comfort. We offer technology-forward solutions, including diagnostic tools and in-office treatments that support both symptom relief and tear film restoration.
Our doctors create personalized treatment plans based on the severity and type of dry eye you have. Many patients benefit from a combination of in-office therapy and home maintenance strategies.
We’re proud to offer OptiLight® IPL, an advanced light-based treatment clinically proven to reduce inflammation and improve tear quality—available at our Raleigh/North Hills locations.
Why a Professional Evaluation Matters
Mild dry eye may improve with over-the-counter lubricating drops, but when symptoms are persistent, progressive, or disruptive, a deeper evaluation is important.
At The Eye Center, we don’t just treat the symptoms—we assess the root cause, evaluate tear function, and look for signs of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) or inflammation that may be contributing to your discomfort.
Complete our Dry Eye Questionnaire to get started, and our team will follow up to help guide your next steps.
