If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, irritated, or tired, it may be more than a temporary annoyance. Dry eye disease is one of the most common eye conditions and can affect your comfort, vision, and normal daily routine.
Many people are not sure whether their symptoms are caused by screen time, allergies, or environmental factors. At NOVA Optique + Eyecare in Arlington, VA, patients can have an eye exam to help determine the cause of their dry eye symptoms, and identify the right treatment approach. If your eyes burn, sting, water, or feel scratchy throughout the day, it may be time to schedule an exam.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye disease occurs when your tears cannot provide sufficient lubrication for your eyes. Tears do more than add moisture. They help protect the surface of the eye, support clear vision, and keep your eyes feeling comfortable.
When the tear film is not working the way it should, the eyes can become irritated, sensitive, or fatigued. For some people, symptoms come and go. For others, dry eye becomes an ongoing issue that affects work, reading, driving, or screen use.
Common Dry Eye Symptoms
Dry eye symptoms can look a little different from person to person. Common symptoms may include:
- Itchy or scratchy eyes
- Tired eyes
- Red eyes
- Burning sensations
- Blurred vision
- A gritty or foreign body sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes
Watery eyes may seem confusing, but they can still be a sign of dry eye. When the eyes become irritated, they may produce reflex tears that do not do a very good job of keeping the eye surface comfortable.
If your eyes regularly feel irritated or tired by the end of the day, especially after long hours on a computer, phone, or tablet, it is worth paying attention to those symptoms.
Common Causes & Risk Factors
Dry eye disease can be caused by more than one factor. In many cases, symptoms are related to a combination of lifestyle habits, environment, and tear film issues.
One common trigger is screen time. Many people blink less often when using digital devices, which can make symptoms more noticeable as the day goes on. In fact, dry eye symptoms often feel worse in the evening, especially for people who spend most of the day on the computer.
Seasonal irritation can also make things more confusing. In the Arlington and greater DMV area, allergies may start earlier and can cause redness, watery eyes, and itching. Because some allergy symptoms overlap with dry eye symptoms, it is easy to mistake one condition for the other. Some patients may even have both at the same time.
When to See an Eye Doctor
Occasional irritation can happen to anyone, but ongoing symptoms should not be ignored. It is a good idea to schedule an eye exam if:
- Your eyes often feel dry, scratchy, or irritated.
- Your eyes burn or sting regularly.
- You notice blurred vision that comes and goes.
- Your eyes are red or sensitive to light.
- Your symptoms seem worse after screen use.
- Over-the-counter drops are not helping enough.
- You are not sure whether you are dealing with dry eye, allergies, or both.
An eye exam matters because treatment should match the cause of your symptoms. Instead of guessing, a proper evaluation can help determine what is contributing to your discomfort and which treatment options make the most sense for your eyes.
How Dry Eye Is Evaluated & Treated
At NOVA Optique + Eyecare, dry eye is not treated as a one-size-fits-all problem. The practice offers a range of advanced dry eye treatments designed to target the root cause of symptoms. Based on your condition, a personalized treatment plan may include one or more therapies to help improve comfort and eye health.
Treatment options may include:
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
IPL is a non-invasive, in-office treatment that uses pulses of light to help liquefy thickened meibum and improve the health of the meibomian glands. It also targets blood vessels around the eyes to help reduce inflammation and improve tear film quality. The standard treatment schedule is typically a series of four sessions spaced four weeks apart, often followed by annual maintenance.
Radiofrequency Therapy (RF)
Radiofrequency Therapy is another non-invasive, in-office option for dry eye. This treatment gently warms the skin, helping melt thick oil secretions, unclog the meibomian glands, and improve tear quality. While some patients may feel relief sooner, a series of four sessions is recommended for best results.
Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
Also known as photobiomodulation, Low Level Light Therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair. The standard treatment schedule typically includes four sessions spaced four weeks apart.
Amniotic Membranes
For moderate to severe dry eye and ocular surface damage, amniotic membrane therapy may be recommended. This treatment is designed to promote healing, reduce inflammation, support tissue regeneration, relieve discomfort, and improve vision clarity when traditional therapies have not provided enough relief.
Why this matters for patients in our area?
Dry eye can be especially frustrating for patients in Arlington because daily life often includes long hours on screens, indoor air exposure, and seasonal irritation. Symptoms may start out mild, then gradually become more disruptive over time.
It is also easy to confuse dry eye with allergies. A helpful clue is timing. Allergies often feel worse in the morning and may improve as the day goes on. Dry eye symptoms often get worse in the evening, especially after extended computer use. Since patients can have both conditions at the same time, the best next step is to have your symptoms evaluated by an eye doctor instead of trying to sort it out on your own.
Dry Eye FAQ
What is the first sign of dry eye disease?
Common early signs include itchy or scratchy eyes, tired eyes, redness, burning, blurred vision, and a gritty feeling.
Is dry eye serious?
Dry eye disease can range from mild to more advanced. If symptoms persist or affect your comfort and vision, it is important to have them evaluated. Treatment may also be needed for moderate to severe dry eye and ocular surface damage.
Can screen time make dry eyes worse?
Yes. Dry eye symptoms often worsen in the evening, especially among people who spend much of the day on the computer.
How is dry eye diagnosed?
An eye exam can help determine the cause of your dry eyes and identify the appropriate treatment.
What treatments are available?
Treatment options at NOVA Optique + Eyecare may include IPL, Radiofrequency Therapy, Low Level Light Therapy, and amniotic membranes, depending on your condition.
When should I schedule an eye exam?
You should schedule an exam if your symptoms are frequent, uncomfortable, getting worse, or difficult to tell apart from allergies.
Schedule an Eye Exam
If your eyes often feel dry, irritated, or tired, do not ignore the symptoms. NOVA Optique + Eyecare in Arlington, VA offers dry eye evaluations and treatment options designed to address the cause of your discomfort. Schedule an eye exam to get answers and find relief that fits your eyes and your lifestyle.
