Your eyes burn. They feel scratchy. Sometimes they even water. But no matter what you do, they just feel dry. You are not alone. Dry eye affects over 16 million adults in the United States. And for many people, it becomes a daily struggle.

The good news is that dry eyes are very treatable. But first, you need to understand what is causing them. That is exactly what this article covers.

What Does It Mean to Have Dry Eyes?

Your eyes are covered by a thin layer of tears called the tear film. This film keeps your eyes moist, comfortable, and clear. When something disrupts it, your eyes feel dry.

There are two main reasons this happens. Either your eyes do not make enough tears, or your tears evaporate too fast. Sometimes both happen at once.

Common symptoms include a burning or stinging feeling, redness, a gritty sensation like sand is in your eye, blurry vision, and even excessive watering. Yes, watery eyes can actually be a sign of dryness. Your body floods the eye with low-quality tears to make up for the problem, but it does not fix the root cause.

Most Common Causes of Chronic Dry Eyes

Too Much Screen Time

This is one of the biggest triggers today. When you stare at a screen, you blink less. And when you do blink, it tends to be incomplete. Blinking is what spreads fresh tears across your eye. Less blinking means faster evaporation.

The fix is simple: try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It resets your blink rate and gives your eyes a break.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)

You have tiny oil glands along your eyelids. They add a protective oil layer to your tears, which slows evaporation. When these glands get clogged, that oil layer breaks down. Your tears dry up faster than normal.

This is one of the most common causes of chronic dry eye. Warm compresses and lid hygiene can help keep these glands clear.

Aging and Hormonal Changes

Tear production drops as you get older. This becomes more noticeable in your 50s. Women going through menopause experience a significant drop in estrogen and testosterone, both of which affect tear quality and volume. One study found that 79% of women between 45 and 79 reported dry eye symptoms.

Environmental Factors

Air conditioning, indoor heating, wind, and low humidity all speed up tear evaporation. If you live or work in a dry environment, your eyes feel it. Using a humidifier in your home or office adds moisture back into the air and helps your eyes stay comfortable.

Medications

Several common medications list dry eyes as a side effect. These include antihistamines for allergies, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and diuretics. If your dry eyes started after beginning a new medication, talk to your doctor. There may be alternatives.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses sit on the surface of your eye and can absorb moisture from the tear film. Wearing lenses for too long or sleeping in them makes things worse. If you wear contacts and struggle with dry eyes, check out contact lens care and fitting options to find lenses better suited for your eyes.

Medical Conditions

Some health conditions directly affect tear production. Sjögren’s syndrome attacks the glands that produce tears and saliva. Diabetes damages the small blood vessels that supply tear-producing glands. Thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus also cause dry eye. If you have a chronic health condition, regular eye exams are especially important.

Why Your Eyes Might Feel Dry Even When They Water

This confuses a lot of people. How can watery eyes mean they are dry?

When your meibomian glands stop producing enough oil, the watery layer of your tear film evaporates too fast. In response, your lacrimal glands pump out more water. But that water does not have the right oils and proteins in it. It does not lubricate your eyes properly. So the dryness continues even as tears run down your face.

How to Relieve Dry Eyes at Home

Use Artificial Tears

Over-the-counter eye drops are usually the first step. Choose preservative-free artificial tears. They are gentler on the eyes, especially if you use drops multiple times a day. Avoid drops labeled “redness relief.” They do not add lubrication and can make dryness worse over time.

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Set a phone reminder if you tend to forget. This small habit makes a real difference for anyone who works at a screen all day.

Apply Warm Compresses

A warm compress applied to your closed eyes for about 10 minutes helps loosen clogged oil glands. You can buy a reusable heat mask at any drugstore. Many people find this brings quick, lasting relief.

Use a Humidifier

Indoor air, especially in winter with the heat running, can get very dry. A humidifier in your bedroom or workspace adds moisture back into the air and reduces tear evaporation throughout the day.

Adjust Your Environment

Avoid sitting directly in front of air vents, fans, or air conditioning units. Direct airflow across your eyes speeds up dryness fast. If you go outside on windy days, wraparound sunglasses help protect your eyes from the elements.

Medical Treatments for Chronic Dry Eye

If home remedies are not enough, your eye doctor has stronger options.

Prescription eye drops like cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra) reduce inflammation in the eye and support natural tear production. These take a few months to show full results but work well for many patients with ongoing dry eye.

Punctal plugs are tiny devices inserted into your tear ducts. They slow tear drainage so moisture stays on your eye longer. This is a simple in-office procedure and can provide fast relief.

Meibomian gland expression and thermal pulsation therapy (such as LipiFlow) treat clogged oil glands directly. These procedures apply heat and gentle pressure to clear the glands and improve tear quality over the long term.

When to See an Eye Doctor

Some cases of dry eye need professional attention. Do not wait if you notice:

• Persistent dryness that does not improve with drops
• Eye pain that goes beyond normal discomfort
• Sudden vision changes
• Sensitivity to light
• Thick eye discharge or crusting
• Dry eyes that make work, driving, or daily life hard

Dry eye can cause corneal scarring and infections if left untreated. Getting a proper comprehensive eye exam is the only way to know exactly what is causing your symptoms and which treatment fits your situation.

Can Dry Eyes Become Serious?

Yes. Dry eye is a chronic condition. Without proper care, it can lead to corneal damage, ulcers, and vision problems. It also affects quality of life in ways people do not always connect to their eyes. Trouble reading, driving at night, and working at a screen all become harder. Sleep may not even bring relief, since some people wake up with their eyelids stuck to their eyes from overnight dryness.

The key is treating it early before it gets worse.

How to Prevent Dry Eyes Long-Term

You do not need to make big changes. Small consistent habits keep dry eye under control:

• Take regular breaks from screens throughout the day
• Drink enough water every day
• Clean your eyelids gently every morning and evening
• Wear sunglasses outdoors, especially on windy days
• Keep contact lens wear within the recommended daily limits
• Schedule a routine eye exam once a year, even if your eyes feel fine

Children can experience dry eye too, especially with increased screen time. If your child complains of eye discomfort, a children’s vision exam can help catch problems early.

Schedule an Eye Exam Today

Dry eyes are common, but they are not something you just have to live with. Whether the cause is screen time, aging, your environment, or an underlying condition, there are real solutions that bring real relief.

At Barnes Talero EyeCare, our team provides thorough eye care for patients of all ages in Nashville. We will help you figure out exactly what is causing your dry eyes and build a plan to fix it.

Call us at (615) 485-6251 or book an appointment online today.

Frequently Asked Questions