What Causes Dry Eye and How Can You Treat It?

Dry, irritated eyes can make everyday activities uncomfortable and frustrating. If you find yourself constantly reaching for eye drops or dealing with blurry, fluctuating vision, you may be experiencing dry eye disease. This common condition can range from mild annoyance to chronic discomfort, and it often has more than one underlying cause. At Family Vision Care of Richmond, we focus on identifying the source of your symptoms so we can provide targeted, effective treatment that delivers real relief.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes either do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. A healthy tear film is essential for maintaining clear vision, comfort, and protection against infection. When this delicate balance is disrupted, you may experience symptoms such as burning or stinging, blurred vision, light sensitivity, redness, or a gritty, sandy sensation.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye is often multifactorial, meaning more than one issue may be contributing to your symptoms.

• Aging: As we age, tear production naturally decreases. Dry eye becomes more common after age 50, especially in postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes.
• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): The meibomian glands produce the oil layer of your tears, which prevents evaporation. When these glands become blocked or inflamed, tears evaporate too quickly. MGD is one of the most common causes of dry eye.
• Blepharitis: Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, often caused by bacteria or clogged oil glands. It can disrupt tear quality and worsen irritation.
• Eye Surgery: Procedures such as LASIK or cataract surgery can temporarily disrupt corneal nerves, affecting tear production and leading to dry eye symptoms during recovery.
• Contact Lens Use: Wearing contact lenses can interfere with the tear film and increase evaporation, especially with long wear times or improper lens hygiene.
• Allergies: Seasonal or environmental allergies can cause inflammation of the ocular surface, worsening dryness, itching, and redness.
• Medications: Certain medications may reduce tear production, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and hormone therapy.
• Medical Conditions Autoimmune disorders and systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, thyroid disease can significantly affect tear production and eye surface health.

Why You Need a Proper Diagnosis

Because dry eye has many potential causes, using over-the-counter artificial tears alone may not solve the problem. In some cases, they only mask symptoms without addressing the root issue.

An eye doctor can:

• Evaluate your tear quality and quantity
• Assess meibomian gland function
• Check for eyelid inflammation or infection
• Identify underlying medical contributors
• Determine the severity of your condition

With an accurate diagnosis, we can design a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your eyes.

Advanced Dry Eye Treatments at Family Vision Care of Richmond

Modern dry eye care goes far beyond basic eye drops. Depending on the cause of your condition, your treatment plan may include:

• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): IPL therapy targets inflammation and improves meibomian gland function. It helps unclog blocked oil glands and reduces abnormal blood vessels that contribute to chronic inflammation. Many patients experience significant symptom improvement after a series of treatments.
• Punctal Plugs: If your eyes are not retaining enough tears, punctal plugs can be placed in the tear drainage ducts to help keep moisture on the eye surface longer. This simple in-office procedure can provide lasting relief.
• Specialty Contact Lenses: For patients with moderate to severe dry eye, specialty lenses such as scleral lenses create a protective moisture reservoir over the cornea. These lenses can dramatically improve comfort and visual clarity.
• Additional Therapies: Your personalized plan may also include prescription eye drops, eyelid hygiene treatments, nutritional support, or lifestyle adjustments to reduce environmental triggers.

Get to the Root of Your Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye is a complex condition with many possible causes, from natural aging and gland dysfunction to medications and underlying health conditions. Because symptoms can overlap and vary in severity, lasting relief depends on identifying the true source of the problem. With the right evaluation and a customized treatment plan, you can restore comfort, protect your eye health, and enjoy clearer, more stable vision.

Schedule a dry eye evaluation at Family Vision Care of Richmond to determine the cause of your discomfort and learn more about your treatment options. Visit our office in Glen Allen or Ashland, Virginia. Call (804) 217-9883 or (804) 798-3306 to book an appointment today.