When to See an Eye Doctor for Dry Eye: Signs It’s More Than Just Irritation

Dry, gritty, or burning eyes may seem like a minor annoyance, but persistent irritation can signal something more serious than just dryness. At Blue Lakes Eye Care, we help our patients identify and treat the underlying causes of dry eye to provide lasting relief.
 

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This imbalance can leave your eyes feeling irritated, tired, or even painful. While occasional dryness is common, ongoing symptoms may point to an underlying condition that requires professional care.
 

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can result from several factors, including:

• Environmental conditions such as wind, smoke, or dry air

• Screen use, which reduces blinking and natural tear production

• Aging, as tear quality often decreases with age

• Medications that interfere with tear production

• Medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where the oil glands in the eyelids become blocked, causing tears to evaporate too quickly
 

Signs You Should See an Optometrist

You may need to schedule an eye exam if you notice:

• Burning, stinging, or gritty sensations in the eyes

• Redness or watery eyes

• Blurred or fluctuating vision

• Discomfort while wearing contact lenses

• Sensitivity to light

• Frequent eye fatigue

Because MGD is one of the most common and often overlooked causes of dry eye, it’s important to have a thorough evaluation to determine if blocked oil glands are contributing to your symptoms.
 

Dry Eye Treatment Options We Offer

At Blue Lakes Eye Care, we don’t just treat the symptoms of dry eye - we identify and address the root cause. Our customized treatment plans may include:

• Retaine® MGD Drops - Lubricates the eyes while helping restore tear stability.

• D.E.R.M.™ Dry Eye Relief Mask - Provides soothing heat therapy to improve oil flow in the eyelid glands.

• DE3® Omega Supplements - Promotes healthier tears from the inside out.

• Lip Prep Hydrogel - Targets eyelid health and meibomian gland function.

• OptiLight® - Employs Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology to target the root causes of dry eye. Its primary purpose is to reduce inflammation and improve meibomian gland function, which leads to healthier tear production and long-term relief from dry eye symptoms. Key benefits include unclogging blocked meibomian glands, reducing redness and inflammation, and enhancing skin tone for both improved eye comfort and cosmetic results.

• OptiLift™ - Uses advanced Dynamic Muscle Stimulation (DMSt) and Radio frequency (RF) energy to target the delicate skin and muscles around the eyes. Its primary purpose is to address lower eyelid laxity (sagging), tighten skin, restore muscle tone, and improve the quality of blinking. In addition to enhancing eyelid function and comfort for dry eye relief, OptiLift also stimulates collagen production, providing added benefits of skin rejuvenation and a more youthful appearance.

Each patient’s condition is unique, which is why we perform a detailed evaluation to determine the underlying cause before recommending the most effective treatment.
 

Find Lasting Relief from Dry Eye at Blue Lakes Eye Care

Dry eye is more than just irritation - it can affect your vision, comfort, and quality of life. If you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms, don’t wait until they worsen. Our team is here to help you find relief and protect your long-term eye health.

Contact Blue Lakes Eye Care to schedule your dry eye evaluation and start seeing more comfortably. Visit our office in Eagan, Minnesota, or call (651) 280-4420 to book an appointment today.