If your eyes frequently feel dry, gritty, irritated, or tired, you may be experiencing dry eye. This common condition develops when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. At Palo Alto Eyes Optometry, we help patients identify what is disrupting their tear film so we can recommend dry eye treatment based on the underlying cause.

What Causes That Gritty Feeling?

A healthy tear film keeps the surface of your eyes smooth, comfortable, and protected. When that tear film becomes unstable, your eyelids may move across a drier surface when you blink. This can create the sandy or gritty sensation many people associate with dry eye.

Several factors can contribute to dry, gritty eyes, including meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, allergies, certain medications, contact lens wear, aging, and environmental conditions. Wind, smoke, dry air, and prolonged screen use can also make symptoms worse.

For many Palo Alto patients, spending long hours on computers and digital devices can be especially challenging. We tend to blink less frequently while concentrating on a screen, which gives tears more time to evaporate.

Signs You May Have Dry Eye

Dry eye does not always feel like simple dryness. Symptoms can vary, and some people even experience excessive watering as their eyes react to irritation.

Common signs include:

•          A gritty, sandy, or scratchy feeling

•          Burning or stinging

•          Red or irritated eyes

•          Blurry or fluctuating vision

•          Sensitivity to light

•          Excessive tearing

•          Discomfort while wearing contact lenses

If these symptoms occur regularly, using lubricating drops without determining the cause may only provide temporary relief.

Finding the Cause of Dry Eye

At Palo Alto Eyes Optometry, we take a comprehensive approach to evaluating dry eye. We may assess your tear quality and quantity, examine the eyelid margins and meibomian glands, and look for inflammation or blocked glands. Additional tear film testing or imaging may also help us better understand what is happening at the surface of your eyes.

Identifying the cause allows us to recommend treatment that is more targeted than simply reaching for another bottle of eye drops.

Dry Eye Treatment in Palo Alto

Your treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of your dry eye. Options may include eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, artificial tears, prescription eye drops, nutritional support, or specialty scleral lenses for more significant cases.

If dry, gritty eyes are interfering with your work, screen time, contact lens wear, or daily comfort, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Palo Alto Eyes Optometry for personalized treatment. Contact our office in Palo Alto, CA, by calling (650) 321-2015 to book an appointment.