Dry, Burning or Watery Eyes?
Find Relief From Chronic Dry Eye Symptoms
Common Dry Eye Symptoms
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Dry eye disease is a frustrating problem that usually affects both eyes and can range from a mild annoyance to severe discomfort. If you are significantly bothered by one or more of the following symptoms, you should arrange for an evaluation of your condition:
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Burning or stinging eyes
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Gritty or sandy sensation
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Redness or irritation
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Excessive tearing/watery eyes
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Blurred or fluctuating vision
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Eye fatigue during reading or screen use
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Contact lens discomfort
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What is Dry Eye Disease?
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Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough quality tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to chronic discomfort that affects reading, driving, screen time, and everyday life.
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At Eye Care Specialists, our ophthalmologists diagnose the underlying cause of dry eye and create personalized treatment plans to help improve comfort and protect long-term eye health.
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Request an evaluation today.
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What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye can develop for many reasons, including:​
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An age-related and hormonal changes naturally decrease in tear production
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Autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
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Skin problems such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and ichthyosis.
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Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
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Screen time and reduced blinking
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Contact lens wear
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Certain Medications
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Blepharitis or eyelid inflammation
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Improper eyelid position/closure: caused by aging changes of the eyelid; Bell's palsy; thyroid eye disease; and nerve damage from infections, injury or tumors.
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Environmental and physical factors: allergens, smoke, heating, air conditioning, contact lenses, etc.​​
Dry Eye Treatments
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms. Your care plan may include:
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Artificial tears and lubracating drops
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Prescription medications
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Eyelid hygiene and warm compresses
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Treatment for inflammation or blepharitis
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Management of Meibomian gland dysfunction
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Lifestyle and environmental recommendations
Our goal is to improve comfort, stabilize vision, and protect the surface of your eyes.
More Treatment Options​
Artificial Tears
One of the most common treatments is the use of over-the-counter artificial tears to help lubricate the eyes and improve comfort. We typically recommend preservative-free lubricating drops, such as Refresh®, TheraTears®, or Systane®. For best results, artificial tears often need to be used several times throughout the day.
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Punctal Plugs
If artificial tears alone are not providing enough relief, punctal plugs may be recommended. This quick, painless in-office procedure places tiny silicone plugs into the eye’s natural drainage openings to help retain tears and keep the eyes hydrated longer.
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Prescription Dry Eye Medications
For some patients, dry eye is caused by inflammation affecting natural tear production. Prescription eye drops may help reduce inflammation and improve the eye’s ability to produce healthy tears over time.
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Personalized Care for Lasting Relief
Because dry eye can have many causes, treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Our team will recommend the best options for your symptoms, lifestyle, and long-term eye health.
Tips to Improve Your Comfort
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It is important to remember that dry eyes are often a life-long condition that can fluctuate in severity. With proper treatment, however, dry eyes can usually be controlled. The following measures may also help to alleviate much of your discomfort, fear and frustration:
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BLINK! Consciously blinking more often can help, especially when you are focused for long periods of time on a book, computer screen, smartphone, etc.
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Use artificial tears frequently enough to PREVENT symptoms—DON'T wait until irritation occurs to use them.
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Lessen exposure to smoke, allergens, fans, and air conditioning and heating vents.
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Use a humidifier whenever possible.
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Wear glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
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Check with your eye care specialist or doctor to see if any of your medications are causing your dry eye symptoms.
Why Choose Eye Care Specialists
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For decades, Eye Care Specialists has provided medical and surgical eye care to patients throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Our experienced team evaluated both the symptoms and underlying causes of dry eye disease to provide compressive treatment options.
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Ready to Find Relief?
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Dry eye symptoms often worsen over time without proper treatment. Schedule an evaluation with our team to determined the cause of your symptoms and discuss treatment options.
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Call us at 414-321-7520 or request an appointment online.