Dry Eye Treatment in
Nashville, TN
Stinging, burning, grittiness, and watery eyes can all be signs of dry eye, but the cause is not always the same from person to person. Your evaluation starts with a closer look at your symptoms, eye health, daily routine, screen use, contact lens wear, and other factors that may be affecting your tears. This personalized approach helps identify what is causing your discomfort and guides treatment that fits your eyes and everyday life.
Dry eye is common, affecting nearly 16.4 million people in the United States.¹ Symptoms can range from occasional irritation to ongoing discomfort that affects screen time, driving, reading, contact lens wear, and other everyday activities.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly. Healthy tear production and drainage are essential for maintaining good vision and eye health, since tears keep your eyes lubricated, clear, and protected against infection. Dry eye is often mistaken for other conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as allergies, leading to it being underdiagnosed
Dry Eye is a condition I see daily and it can affect any gender, and all ages. There are many ways we can treat and manage the symptoms of dry eye and oftentimes all it takes is adding a simple step into your daily routine!
What causes dry eye?
The most common reason people develop dry eye is meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is an inflammatory disorder of the meibomian glands in your eyelids, which produce lipids that coat your tears to prevent them from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or clogged with oil, it causes dry eye disease.
Other causes of dry eye include:
- Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, and menopause
- Certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants
- Certain diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)
- Exposure to cold, smoke, and dry climates
- Activities like driving, reading, computer use, or watching TV cause you to blink less often, and blinking less can also cause dry eye.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
The symptoms of dry eye disease can vary from person to person, but some common ones include:
- Dryness or a gritty sensation in the eyes
- Burning or a stinging sensation in the eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Watery eyes, which can be a result of the body’s reflex response to dryness
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to make an appointment with your optometrist immediately.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will evaluate the quality, volume, and stability of your tears, along with the health of your eyelids and eye surface. Your symptoms, daily visual demands, medical history, and contact lens habits also help inform the evaluation. Once the cause of your dry eye is clearer, you will receive recommendations designed to reduce discomfort and support healthier, more comfortable vision.
How do you treat dry eye disease?
Dry eye treatment depends on what is contributing to your symptoms, how often they occur, and how they affect your daily life. Some patients benefit from simple changes to their routine, while others may need treatment that addresses inflammation, eyelid oil glands, or ongoing tear-film instability. Recommendations are based on your individual findings, with the goal of improving comfort, supporting eye health, and helping you see more clearly throughout the day.
Common treatments for dry eye include:
- Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation
- Treating oil glands
- Blinking exercises or proper eyelid hygiene
If an infection is causing your dry eye symptoms, your eye doctor may also prescribe low-dose antibiotics. In more serious cases where other treatments are ineffective, we may recommend surgery or therapy.
Support Your Dry Eye Care at Home
In-office care can address the factors contributing to dry eye, while the right at-home routine can support comfort between visits. Based on your symptoms and recommendations, dry eye products may help lubricate your eyes, support eyelid hygiene, and make everyday activities such as computer work, driving, and contact lens wear more comfortable.
We offer a selection of OPTASE® products chosen to support dry eye care, including preservative-free lubricating drops, nighttime ointment, eyelid cleansing wipes, omega-7 supplements, and a reusable moist heat mask.
Depending on your symptoms and recommendations, these products may help you:
- Lubricate dry, irritated eyes during the day or overnight
- Support eyelid hygiene and remove debris, makeup, and excess oils
- Use moist heat to help soften oils in the eyelids that support a healthy tear film
- Soothe puffy eyes, allergy-related irritation, and contact lens discomfort with cold therapy
- Support moisture balance from within with a plant-based omega-7 supplement
A product may be helpful as part of your routine, but it should not replace a personalized evaluation. If symptoms persist, worsen, or affect your vision, contact us for guidance.
Visit us for dry eye treatment in Nashville, TN
You do not have to accept burning, grittiness, blurry vision, or contact lens discomfort as part of your routine. A dry eye evaluation can help uncover what is affecting your tears and give you a clear path toward more comfortable vision. Schedule a dry eye evaluation in Nashville today.
Dry Eye FAQs
Can dry eye cause blurry vision?
Yes! Probably one of the most common symptoms of dry eye is blurred vision!
Can dry eye cause headaches?
Sometimes. Since dryness can cause blurry vision, the eyes often strain to see clearly, leading to headaches. It might feel like a tension headache or pain in and around the eyes.
Can dry eye cause blindness?
No. Dry eye can make your eyes feel very uncomfortable, but it will not cause blindness.
Can dry eye cause floaters?
No. Dry eyes do not cause floaters. You can have both dry eyes and floaters at the same time, but one does not cause the other.
What does dry eye look like?
Dry eyes often appear red and may also have some stringy discharge. The eyelids may also appear thickened and red as well.
Can dry eye cause eye pain?
Yes! Dry eyes may cause a sharp, stabbing pain or a gritty sensation, like the feeling of sand or an eyelash in your eye.
Can dry eye cause double vision?
Not true double vision, but dry eyes can lead to blurred vision or seeing “shadowed” or superimposed images.
Can dry eye cause eye twitching?
Yes. When the eyes are dry, your body compensates by trying to produce more tears, which can lead to more blinking over time. This can, in fact, start to make your eyes twitch.
Can dry eye be cured?
Yes. There are different causes of dry eyes, and once the cause is identified, there are several treatment options to help improve and eliminate the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
Can dry eye cause dizziness?
Indirectly. If your vision is blurred from dry eyes, it can increase eyestrain which may contribute to dizziness.
Can dry eye cause light sensitivity?
Yes. Light sensitivity is a very common symptom of dry eyes.
Can dry eye cause redness?
Absolutely. Redness is probably the most common symptom of dry eyes.
Can dry eye affect your vision?
Yes. It definitely causes increased blurred vision and eyestrain.
Can dry eye cause styes?
Yes. If your dry eye is caused by poor eyelid hygiene, you will absolutely be more prone to styes.
Can dry eye affect only one eye?
Yes, however, it is more common for both eyes to be affected.
Are dry eyes itchy?
Yes. Itching is a very common symptom of dry eyes.
What causes dry eye after LASIK surgery?
People often complain of dry eyes after LASIK surgery, especially if they’ve had dry eyes before surgery. The surgery could disrupt communication between some of the peripheral corneal nerves and the glands that produce tears. This is usually a temporary side effect and can be treated with lubricating drops. If you had dry eye before surgery, it’s important to get it under control first. The inflammation that occurs after surgery may also contribute to the symptoms of dry eye.
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