Understanding Dry Eye: Causes and Treatment Options

If your eyes frequently feel gritty, burning, or tired by the end of the day, you’re dealing with one of the most common complaints we see at Cypress Vision Optometry: dry eye. It’s not just a minor annoyance — left untreated, chronic dry eye can affect your comfort, your vision clarity, and even your long-term eye health.

The good news is that dry eye is highly manageable once you understand what’s actually causing it.

What Is Dry Eye, Exactly?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears you produce aren’t the right quality to keep your eyes properly lubricated. Tears aren’t just water — they’re a complex mix of water, oils, and mucus, and an imbalance in any of these layers can lead to dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Environmental factors Texas heat, wind, and air conditioning (both at home and in the car) all contribute to faster tear evaporation. Allergens common in the Cypress area can compound the problem — see our related article on [Protecting Your Eyes from UV Damage and Outdoor Allergens].

Screen time We blink significantly less often when focused on a screen, which reduces how often tears are refreshed across the eye’s surface. This is one of the fastest-growing causes of dry eye we see in patients of all ages.

Contact lens wear Extended contact lens use can contribute to dryness, particularly with certain lens materials or extended daily wear time. Read more in [Choosing the Right Contact Lenses for Your Lifestyle].

Age Tear production naturally decreases with age, which is why dry eye becomes more common after 50.

Hormonal changes Many women notice increased dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using hormonal birth control.

Medications Antihistamines, certain blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and other common prescriptions can reduce tear production as a side effect.

Underlying health conditions Conditions like rosacea, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases (such as Sjögren’s syndrome) are linked to chronic dry eye.

Common Symptoms

• Stinging, burning, or a gritty sensation

• Redness

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurry vision that improves with blinking

• A feeling of something in your eye

• Excessive tearing (yes — watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dryness, as the eye overcompensates)

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses comfortably

Treatment Options

Dry eye treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment may include:

Artificial tears and lubricating drops Often the first line of treatment for mild cases, though not all drops are created equal — we can recommend options based on your specific symptoms.

Prescription eye drops For more persistent cases, prescription drops can help address inflammation or increase natural tear production.

Warm compresses and eyelid hygiene Helpful for dry eye related to blocked oil glands along the eyelid (a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction).

Punctal plugs Small, painless devices inserted into the tear duct to slow tear drainage and keep the eye’s surface better lubricated.

Lifestyle adjustments Simple changes — like taking screen breaks, using a humidifier, or adjusting contact lens wear time — can meaningfully reduce symptoms for many patients.

Addressing underlying conditions If dry eye is linked to an underlying health issue, treating that condition is often part of an effective long-term plan.

When to See a Doctor

Occasional dryness after a long day of screen work is common and usually not a concern. But you should schedule an exam if:

• Symptoms are persistent or worsening

• Over-the-counter drops aren’t providing relief

• Dryness is affecting your vision or daily comfort

• You experience eye pain, not just irritation

How We Can Help

At Cypress Vision Optometry, we don’t just hand patients a bottle of drops and send them on their way. We take the time to identify what’s actually causing your dry eye symptoms so we can recommend a treatment plan that actually works. [Internal link: Dry Eye Treatment]

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