Skip to content

Dry Eye Management

Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, it is called dry eye. Dry eye is also when your eyes do not make the right type of tears or tear film.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Dry eye can cause:

  • A scratchy feeling, like there’s something in your eye
  • Stinging or burning feelings in your eye
  • Red eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision

Am I at risk for dry eye?
Anyone can get dry eye, but you might be more likely to have dry eye if you:

  • Are age 50 or older
  • Are female
  • Wear contact lenses
  • Don’t get enough vitamin A (found in foods like carrots, broccoli, and liver) or omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, walnuts, and vegetable oils)
  • Have certain autoimmune conditions, like lupus or Sjögren syndrome

What causes dry eye?
Normally, glands above your eyes make tears that keep your eyes wet. Dry eye happens when your tears don’t do their job. This could mean:

  • Your glands don’t make enough tears to keep your eyes wet
  • Your tears dry up too fast
  • Your tears just don’t work well enough to keep your eyes wet