Advanced eye care in Orange, California

(714) 288-8282

OCULAR SURFACE HEALTH

Relief begins
with understanding.

Burning, irritation, watery eyes, and fluctuating vision can interfere with everyday comfort. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step toward effective dry eye management.

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UNDERSTANDING DRY EYE

What is dry eye disease?

Dry eye occurs when the tear film does not adequately protect and lubricate the ocular surface. This may happen because the eyes produce too few tears, tears evaporate too quickly, or both.

Dry eye can affect people of different ages and may be influenced by screen time, environmental conditions, medications, contact lens use, and underlying health conditions.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Recognizing dry eye discomfort.

Burning & Stinging

Irritation, burning, or a gritty sensation may occur when the ocular surface is inadequately lubricated.

Fluctuating Blurry Vision

An unstable tear film can temporarily reduce visual clarity, especially during prolonged reading or screen use.

Excessive Watering

Dry eyes can sometimes produce reflex tearing in response to irritation, even when the underlying tear film remains unstable.

Redness & Light Sensitivity

Ocular surface irritation may cause redness, sensitivity to light, or discomfort while wearing contact lenses.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

Why do dry eyes develop?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Oil-producing glands in the eyelids help slow tear evaporation. When these glands are not functioning properly, tears may evaporate too quickly.

Reduced Tear Production

Some patients produce insufficient tears because of age-related changes, medications, or underlying medical conditions.

Digital Screen Use

Prolonged screen use can reduce blink frequency or completeness, contributing to tear evaporation and visual discomfort.

Environmental Factors

Air conditioning, heating, wind, smoke, and low humidity can contribute to ocular surface irritation.

EVALUATION & TREATMENT

Personalized dry eye management.

A dry eye evaluation may include assessment of symptoms, eyelids, tear-film stability, and ocular surface health. Treatment depends on the suspected causes and severity.

Lubricating Eye Drops

Artificial tears may help relieve symptoms by supplementing the natural tear film.

Eyelid Hygiene

Appropriate warm compresses and eyelid-care routines may help patients with certain eyelid gland conditions.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Blink awareness, screen breaks, improved humidity, and reduced direct airflow may improve comfort.

Additional Medical Treatment

Prescription medications, tear-conservation approaches, or specialist procedures may be recommended when appropriate.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Dry eye FAQs.

Why do my eyes water if they're dry?

Irritation can trigger reflex tearing. These tears may not provide a stable protective film on the eye.

Can contact lenses make dry eye worse?

Some patients experience increased dryness or discomfort with contact lens wear. Lens materials, fit, and ocular surface health matter.

Are artificial tears enough?

Artificial tears help many patients, but persistent symptoms may require additional evaluation and treatment.

Is dry eye a permanent condition?

Dry eye is often chronic, but symptoms can frequently be improved with an appropriate management plan.

Find relief from persistent irritation.

Schedule an examination to discuss your symptoms and explore appropriate dry eye management options.

Book an Eye Exam

Sudden vision loss, significant eye pain, marked light sensitivity, or severe redness warrants prompt medical evaluation.