Dry Eye Symptoms: When It's Time to See an Eye Doctor
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people visit an eye doctor, and one of the most underestimated. It can make your eyes feel uncomfortable all day, make screens harder to use, and make contact lenses feel impossible to wear. At Uptown Eye Boutique in Johns Creek, Dr. Brian Schultz evaluates dry eye to find out what's causing it, not just mask the symptoms.
Common dry eye symptoms
A gritty, sandy or scratchy feeling, as if something is in your eye
Burning or stinging
Redness, especially later in the day
Vision that blurs and clears when you blink
Tired eyes after reading or screen time
Discomfort with contact lenses
Watery eyes, which surprises many people
Watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye because irritated eyes sometimes overproduce poor-quality tears that don't stay on the surface of the eye.
What causes dry eye?
Dry eye usually comes from one of two problems: your eyes don't make enough tears, or the tears you make evaporate too quickly. Common contributors include:
Long hours on computers and phones, which reduce how often you blink
Age, with symptoms becoming more common over time
Hormonal changes
Certain medications, such as some antihistamines and blood pressure medicines
Contact lens wear
Dry indoor air, heating and air conditioning
Blocked oil glands along the eyelid edge, which leave tears without the oil layer that slows evaporation
When to see an eye doctor
Occasional dryness after a long day isn't unusual. It's time to book a visit if your symptoms last for more than a few weeks, keep coming back, affect your vision or your work, make your contact lenses uncomfortable, or if over-the-counter eye drops aren't helping. Get seen promptly if you have eye pain, sensitivity to light or a sudden change in vision, since these can signal something other than dry eye.
What a dry eye evaluation looks like
Dr. Schultz will ask about your symptoms, screen use, medications and health history, then examine your tears, eyelids and the surface of your eyes. The goal is to understand which type of dry eye you have, because the right treatment depends on the cause. From there, he'll recommend a treatment plan matched to your eyes.
Simple habits that can help
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Blink fully and deliberately during screen time
Use a humidifier in dry rooms
Avoid fans or vents blowing directly at your face
Stay hydrated
These habits help many people, but persistent symptoms deserve an exam.
Learn more
See our dry eye treatment in Johns Creek. If you wear contacts, read what happens at a contact lens exam. Dry eye is also checked during every comprehensive eye exam.
Frequently asked questions
Can dry eye damage my eyes?
Mild dry eye is mostly a comfort problem, but severe or untreated dry eye can irritate and damage the surface of the eye. That's why ongoing symptoms should be checked.
Are over-the-counter eye drops enough?
They help some people with mild symptoms. If you're using drops often and still uncomfortable, an evaluation can find the underlying cause.
Is dry eye covered by insurance?
A dry eye evaluation is often billed to medical insurance rather than a vision plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage.
Uptown Eye Boutique is open Monday through Saturday in Johns Creek, GA. Comprehensive eye exams are provided by Dr. Brian Schultz, OD.
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