What are the most common dry eye symptoms?

Dry eye symptoms often include burning, stinging, scratchy or gritty sensation, redness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, blurred or fluctuating vision, and discomfort with contact lenses.

Why do my eyes water if I have dry eye?

Watery eyes can be a reflex response to irritation. When the surface of the eye is dry and inflamed, your eyes may overproduce watery tears that do not stay on the eye long enough to provide real relief.

Dry eye can be caused by aging, screen time and reduced blinking, dry environments, contact lens wear, certain medications, hormonal changes, and inflammation of the eyelid glands. Many people have more than one contributing factor.

Is dry eye the same thing as allergies?

They can overlap. Allergies often cause itchiness and seasonal flare-ups, while dry eye tends to cause burning, grittiness, and fluctuating vision. An eye exam can help tell the difference and guide the right treatment.

How is dry eye diagnosed?

A dry eye evaluation typically includes discussing your symptoms, reviewing risk factors, and examining your tear film and eyelids. Your eye doctor may also measure tear quality and quantity to confirm the type of dry eye you have.

What are the treatment options for dry eye?

Dry eye treatment depends on the cause. Options may include artificial tears, lifestyle changes, warm compresses and lid hygiene, prescription drops, in-office procedures to improve oil gland function, and treatment for eyelid inflammation when needed.

What can I do at home to help dry eye symptoms?

Many people improve with consistent habits like taking screen breaks, blinking more often, using preservative-free lubricating drops, applying warm compresses, and avoiding direct air from fans or vents. Your doctor can recommend a routine based on your type of dry eye.

Can dry eye cause blurry vision?

Yes. The tear film is part of the focusing system, so dryness can make vision fluctuate, especially during reading or screen time. Treating the tear film often improves clarity as well as comfort.

Do contact lenses make dry eye worse?

They can. Contacts may increase dryness for some people, especially with long wear time or certain lens materials. Your eye doctor can recommend lens changes, rewetting strategies, or alternatives if comfort is not where you want it.

How long does it take dry eye treatment to work?

Some improvements are quick, like lubrication and environmental changes, but lasting relief often takes a few weeks of consistent treatment. Dry eye is commonly a chronic condition, so maintenance matters.

When should I see an eye doctor for dry eye?

Schedule an exam if symptoms are frequent, if your vision is fluctuating, if you rely on drops daily, or if discomfort is affecting work, driving, or screen use. Seek urgent care if you have severe pain, sudden vision changes, or significant light sensitivity.

Dry Eye Treatment in Prescott, Arizona

Q: What is dry eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or when tears evaporate too quickly. Without a stable tear film, vision can fluctuate, and eyes can feel irritated, gritty, or tired.

Dry Eye (Ocular Surface Disease)

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears to keep the surface lubricated and comfortable. This condition not only causes eye discomfort but can also lead to vision disturbances, making daily tasks like reading or driving difficult. Many people with dry, irritated eyes resort to over-the-counter artificial tears for short-term relief. Eye drops can temporarily soothe symptoms like dryness or burning, but they often don’t address the underlying causes of dry eye. Lasting relief requires a proper evaluation and targeted treatment. At M&M Eye Institute, our eye doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye.

Man sitting on couch needing dry eye treatment.

Woman with glasses rubbing her eyes due to dry eye symptoms.

Common Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye disease can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

Dryness or a gritty, sandy sensation in the eyes
Burning or stinging in the eyes
Redness and irritation
Itchy eyes
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Watery eyes (excessive tearing)

These symptoms can range from mild to very uncomfortable. Dry eyes may make it difficult to wear contact lenses or perform daily tasks like reading, using a computer, or driving. You might also notice symptoms worsening after long hours of screen use or with exposure to dry air or wind.

Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can have many causes, but they generally fall into two main categories. The first is inadequate tear production. As we age, our eyes often produce fewer tears. Hormonal changes (especially in women) can also contribute to dryness. In addition, certain medical conditions (like Sjögren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis) and medications (such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, or blood pressure drugs) can reduce tear production and lead to dry eye.

The second major cause is excessive tear evaporation. Even if your tear glands produce enough fluid, your tears might evaporate too quickly if they lack a healthy oil layer. This often happens when the oil-producing meibomian glands in your eyelids are blocked or not functioning properly (for example, due to blepharitis). Without enough oil, the tear film breaks down more quickly. Environmental factors play a big role here as well. Prescott’s dry, windy climate can cause moisture to evaporate from the eye’s surface more rapidly, worsening dry eye symptoms. Extended screen time, ceiling fans, and air conditioning or heating can further dry out your eyes by reducing blink frequency or indoor humidity.

Dry Eye Treatments

Artificial Tears and Eye Drops

Regular use of lubricating artificial tears can provide temporary relief. We often recommend preservative-free drops for frequent use, as well as gel drops or ointments at night for longer-lasting moisture.

Prescription Anti-inflammatory Drops

If over-the-counter tears aren’t enough, our doctors may prescribe medicated eye drops to reduce inflammation and help your eyes produce more tears. For example, Restasis® (a cyclosporine drop) increases natural tear production by calming inflammation. In some cases, a short course of steroid drops or antibiotic ointment is used to quickly ease severe irritation.

Punctal Plugs

Tiny plugs can be inserted into your tear ducts (the drainage channels) to slow tear drainage. By keeping your natural tears on the eye longer, punctal plugs help your eyes stay moist without needing to constantly apply drops.

Warm Compresses & Eyelid Hygiene:

Applying warm compresses to the eyelids helps unclog blocked oil glands, improving the stability of your tear film. We’ll also guide you on proper eyelid cleaning practices to treat conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) and further reduce irritation.

Omega-3 Supplements

Nutritional support can be beneficial for dry eyes. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may improve tear quality and reduce inflammation.

Eyelid Procedures

In certain cases, a minor procedure or surgery may be needed to address an anatomical issue contributing to dry eye. For instance, if an eyelid is abnormally turned inward (entropion) or outward (ectropion), correcting its position can help tears distribute properly across the eye and relieve chronic dryness.

Regular use of lubricating artificial tears can provide temporary relief. We often recommend preservative-free drops for frequent use, as well as gel drops or ointments at night for longer-lasting moisture.

If over-the-counter tears aren’t enough, our doctors may prescribe medicated eye drops to reduce inflammation and help your eyes produce more tears. For example, Restasis® (a cyclosporine drop) increases natural tear production by calming inflammation. In some cases, a short course of steroid drops or antibiotic ointment is used to quickly ease severe irritation.

Tiny plugs can be inserted into your tear ducts (the drainage channels) to slow tear drainage. By keeping your natural tears on the eye longer, punctal plugs help your eyes stay moist without needing to constantly apply drops.

Applying warm compresses to the eyelids helps unclog blocked oil glands, improving the stability of your tear film. We’ll also guide you on proper eyelid cleaning practices to treat conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) and further reduce irritation.

Nutritional support can be beneficial for dry eyes. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may improve tear quality and reduce inflammation.

In certain cases, a minor procedure or surgery may be needed to address an anatomical issue contributing to dry eye. For instance, if an eyelid is abnormally turned inward (entropion) or outward (ectropion), correcting its position can help tears distribute properly across the eye and relieve chronic dryness.

FAQ: Dry Eye

Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not produce enough high-quality tears, or when tears evaporate too quickly. Without a stable tear film, your eyes can feel irritated, gritty, tired, or uncomfortable, and your vision may fluctuate.

Common dry eye symptoms include burning, stinging, redness, itchiness, watery eyes, blurred or fluctuating vision, and a gritty or sandy sensation. Some people also notice more discomfort when reading, using a computer, driving, or wearing contact lenses.

Watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye. When the surface of the eye becomes irritated, your eyes may produce excess reflex tears, but those tears usually do not stay on the eye long enough to give lasting relief.

Dry eye can be caused by reduced tear production, fast tear evaporation, or both. Aging, hormonal changes, certain medications, eyelid gland problems, medical conditions, screen time, and dry or windy environments can all contribute.

Yes. Dry air, wind, ceiling fans, air conditioning, and long hours of screen use can all make tears evaporate faster. In Prescott, the climate can make dry eye symptoms more noticeable and more frequent for some patients.

Yes. Your tear film helps create a smooth optical surface, so when it breaks down, vision can become blurry or fluctuate throughout the day. Many people notice this more during screen time or reading.

Dry eye treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears, prescription drops, punctal plugs, warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, nutritional support, or other treatments recommended by your eye doctor.

Sometimes they help, but not always. Artificial tears can offer temporary relief, but they may not treat the underlying cause of your dry eye. If symptoms keep coming back, it is a good idea to have your eyes evaluated.

You should schedule an appointment if your symptoms are frequent, your vision is fluctuating, your eyes stay irritated even with drops, or dry eye is affecting work, reading, driving, or contact lens wear. You should seek prompt care if you have severe pain, sudden vision changes, or significant light sensitivity.

Yes. Dry eye is often a chronic condition, which means it may need ongoing care rather than a one-time fix. The good news is that the right treatment plan can usually improve both comfort and day-to-day vision.

Schedule Your Dry Eye Consultation

Don’t let dry, irritated eyes disrupt your life. Schedule your dry eye consultation today at M&M Eye Institute in Prescott and take the first step toward lasting relief. Call our Prescott office at or schedule an eye exam online to get started with your personalized dry eye treatment plan.

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Everyone, especially Dr. Christensen, is very kind and helpful. Eye problems can feel quite scary, but the care given at M & M in Chino Valley reduced my fears to none. They have a great team!

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Dr Oakesen was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and professional. Took time to answer my questions. Identified the issue, and the office organized an urgent appointment in Phoenix for laser surgery. Assistant Aurora was a blast !!! Very smart, organized, and a lot of fun!!!

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