Dry, irritated eyes can impact everything from reading to driving, yet many people dismiss these symptoms as a minor annoyance. Over time, untreated dry eye problems can lead to more serious complications that affect your comfort and vision.
At Everett & Hurite, we provide expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for dry eye symptoms and other eye conditions across Pittsburgh, PA. Whether you're experiencing blurry vision, tear evaporation, or watery eyes, our experienced team can help you find lasting relief and protect your long-term eye health. Schedule a consultation at one of our convenient Pittsburgh locations or request an appointment online.
Let’s explore the most common signs of dry eye syndrome, how they differ from other eye conditions, and when it’s time to see a professional for care.
Identifying Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye syndrome, also called dry eye disease, happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when those tears evaporate too quickly to properly nourish and protect your eye's surface. According to the National Eye Institute, this tear film imbalance can lead to irritation, inflammation, and potential damage to the ocular surface.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eyes
Many patients experience a range of dry eye symptoms, which may vary in severity throughout the day or during specific activities. These include:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision, especially during tasks requiring prolonged focus like reading or staring at a computer screen.
- Redness, burning, and extreme eye irritation, which can make everyday activities uncomfortable.
- Watery eyes—a surprising but common symptom—can occur as your body tries to compensate for dryness by producing excess watery tears.
- Scratchy, gritty, or foreign body sensation, often described as feeling like sand or dust in the eyes.
- Eye fatigue and discomfort tend to worsen after extended periods on devices such as TV or computer screens.
- Pain or discomfort with contact lens use, or a decreased tolerance for wearing contact lenses.
If these symptoms of dry eye persist or worsen, despite using over-the-counter lubricating eye drops or preservative-free artificial tears, this may be a sign of chronic dry eye. In such cases, it’s essential to consult a dry eye specialist near me for a proper dry eye diagnosis and to discuss a personalized treatment approach that goes beyond basic symptom management.
How Dry Eye Differs from Other Eye Conditions
Dry eye symptoms can mimic other eye problems, such as allergies, infections, or complications from eye surgeries. For example:
- Eye infections often cause discharge, swelling, and severe redness, which differs from the mild discomfort of dry eye syndrome.
- Allergies usually involve itchiness and watery discharge alongside systemic symptoms like sneezing.
- Contact lens use may trigger discomfort, but if the discomfort persists after removing lenses, dry eye disease might be the underlying cause.
At Everett & Hurite, our doctors perform a thorough dry eye diagnosis, including assessments of the tear film, tear evaporation, tear glands, and clogged oil glands, to distinguish dry eye from other conditions.
Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Treatments
Mild dry eye symptoms may respond well to over-the-counter treatments like:
- Artificial tears and preservative-free drops used up to four times daily or as directed by your eye doctor.
- Warm compresses and eyelid cleansers to evacuate clogged oil glands and support high-quality tear production.
However, chronic dry eye or symptoms of dry eye that are unresponsive to nonprescription eye drops often require professional treatments, including:
- Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops, such as cyclosporine (Restasis®) or lifitegrast (Xiidra®).
- Nasal sprays, like varenicline (Tyrvaya®), to activate tear production via nasal nerve stimulation.
- In-office procedures, such as punctal plugs or LipiFlow® thermal pulsation treatment to reduce tear evaporation and address tear duct dysfunction.
At Everett & Hurite, your eye doctor will walk you through these advanced treatments, ensuring you follow your doctor’s instructions for optimal relief.
Risk Factors for Chronic Dry Eye
Several risk factors may increase your likelihood of developing dry eye problems, including:
- Hormonal changes, particularly during menopause.
- Prolonged digital device use, reducing blink rate and causing tears to evaporate.
- Contact lens use can disrupt the tear film.
- Eye surgeries, such as LASIK or cataract procedures.
- Certain medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure, antidepressants, and antihistamines.
- Smoking and environmental irritants, such as cigarette smoke and dry, windy air.
- Autoimmune diseases, including Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
Recognizing these risk factors early can help you and your eye doctor create a treatment plan to prevent symptoms of dry eye from becoming more severe.
When to Visit an Eye Doctor for Dry Eye Care
You should see a doctor if you experience:
- Persistent dry eye symptoms despite using artificial tears or over-the-counter treatments.
- Blurred vision, eye redness, or symptoms that worsen when reading, using a computer screen, or driving.
- Chronic dry eye symptoms that interfere with your work, sleep, or daily activities.
- Watery eyes, which may indicate tear film instability rather than healthy tear production.
- A personal or family history of autoimmune conditions, or if you are taking numerous medications known to impact tear glands.
Early dry eye diagnosis and intervention by a dry eye specialist near me, such as Everett & Hurite, can prevent damage to the corneal surface and provide timely relief.
How Everett & Hurite Can Help
At Everett & Hurite, we offer comprehensive support for patients struggling with dry eye symptoms at every stage. Our experienced team of ophthalmologists and optometrists takes a personalized approach to diagnosing, treating, and managing dry eye disease, focusing on your comfort, vision, and long-term eye health.
We provide:
- Comprehensive Dry Eye Evaluations: Using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, we carefully assess tear production, tear film stability, oil gland function, and the overall health of your ocular surface.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: We create individualized care plans that may include prescription medications, in-office procedures, and at-home strategies to help manage symptoms and promote healthier tear production.
- Advanced Therapies for Chronic Dry Eye: For complex or persistent cases, we offer the latest treatments, including punctal plugs, LipiFlow® therapy, autologous serum eye drops, and more.
- Collaborative Care for Systemic Factors: We work closely with your primary care provider, rheumatologist, or corneal specialist to address any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to your dry eye symptoms.
- Patient Education & Ongoing Support: Our team ensures you fully understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and goals, empowering you to actively participate in your care and maintain long-term symptom control.
Get Relief from Dry Eye Symptoms with Everett & Hurite
Recognizing dry eye symptoms early can help you get the right treatment before symptoms worsen or affect your vision. Everett & Hurite is here to help you find relief and restore eye comfort with advanced care and individualized treatment plans.
To schedule your dry eye consultation, visit www.everett-hurite.com or call 412-288-0858. Our Pittsburgh-area specialists are ready to support you on your path to clearer, more comfortable vision.
