Dry Eye Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes & When to See a Specialist

If your eyes burn, itch, feel gritty, or water constantly — yet never actually feel comfortable — you may be dealing with dry eye syndrome. It's one of the most common and most misunderstood eye conditions, affecting an estimated 16 million Americans. And in a desert climate like Las Vegas, the numbers are even higher.

The good news: dry eye is very treatable. The key is understanding what's actually causing it.

Dry eye syndrome (also called dry eye disease or DED) occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears, or when the tears they do produce evaporate too quickly. Your tear film is a complex three-layer structure — oil, water, and mucus — and a breakdown in any layer can cause symptoms.

There are two main types:

• Aqueous deficient dry eye: Your lacrimal glands aren't producing enough of the watery component of tears.
• Evaporative dry eye: Your meibomian glands (tiny oil glands along your eyelid margins) are blocked or dysfunctional, causing tears to evaporate too fast. This is by far the most common type, accounting for up to 86% of dry eye cases.

Dry eye doesn't always feel "dry." Many patients are surprised to learn their symptoms are caused by dry eye:

• Burning or stinging sensation, especially in the afternoon or evening
• Gritty or sandy feeling, like something is in your eye
• Excessive tearing — your eyes overcompensate with reflex tears that don't actually lubricate
• Blurry vision that clears temporarily when you blink
• Redness and irritation, particularly after screen time
• Eye fatigue or difficulty keeping your eyes open
• Sensitivity to light or wind
• Contact lens discomfort — lenses feel dry or uncomfortable within hours of putting them in

If you experience any combination of these symptoms regularly, it's worth getting a proper dry eye evaluation — not just picking up over-the-counter drops.

Dry eye has many contributing factors, and most patients have more than one:

The meibomian glands line your upper and lower eyelids and secrete the oil layer of your tear film. When these glands become blocked or atrophied, the oil layer thins and tears evaporate rapidly. MGD is the leading cause of evaporative dry eye and is often associated with blepharitis (eyelid inflammation).

Tear production naturally decreases with age. Women going through perimenopause or menopause are particularly susceptible due to hormonal shifts that affect the lacrimal and meibomian glands.

When we stare at screens, we blink up to 60% less than normal. Reduced blinking means the tear film isn't refreshed as often, leading to evaporation and dryness. This is a major driver of dry eye in younger patients.

Las Vegas's dry desert climate, low humidity, and air conditioning are a perfect storm for dry eye. Airplane travel, wind, and smoke exposure compound the problem.

Many common medications list dry eye as a side effect, including antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and hormonal contraceptives.

Extended contact lens wear can disrupt the tear film and reduce corneal sensitivity over time, contributing to dry eye.

Conditions like Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can directly affect tear production.

Most patients try artificial tears first — and while they can provide temporary relief, they don't address the underlying cause. If your dry eye is driven by MGD, no amount of drops will unclog your meibomian glands. You need targeted treatment.

This is why a proper dry eye evaluation is so important. At Trendsetter Eyewear, we use advanced diagnostic tools to identify exactly what type of dry eye you have and which glands are affected — before recommending any treatment.

Our dedicated Dry Eye Spa offers a full range of evidence-based treatments, many of which aren't available at standard optometry offices:

Radiofrequency energy gently heats the meibomian glands and surrounding tissue, liquefying blocked secretions and stimulating collagen production. Patients often notice improvement after just one session.

Originally developed for dermatology, IPL has become one of the most effective treatments for evaporative dry eye. Light pulses reduce inflammation, target abnormal blood vessels that contribute to MGD, and improve meibomian gland function.

A professional eyelid cleaning treatment that removes biofilm, bacteria, and debris from the eyelid margins — addressing the root cause of blepharitis and Demodex-related dry eye.

A gentle, spa-like eyelid cleansing treatment that removes buildup and improves the health of the eyelid margin environment.

Carboxy therapy masks that deliver CO2 to the periorbital area, improving circulation and reducing inflammation around the eyes.

We can test the bacterial environment of your eyelids to identify Demodex mite infestations or bacterial overgrowth that may be driving your symptoms.

You should schedule a dry eye evaluation if:

• You've been using artificial tears for more than a few weeks without lasting relief
• Your symptoms are affecting your ability to work, drive, or use screens comfortably
• You've been told you have blepharitis or MGD
• You're considering LASIK or other refractive surgery (dry eye must be addressed first)
• Your symptoms are getting progressively worse

Don't wait until your eyes are severely affected. Early intervention leads to better outcomes and can prevent permanent meibomian gland atrophy.

If you're in the Summerlin or Las Vegas area and struggling with dry eye symptoms, we'd love to help. Dr. Payne specializes in dry eye and will take the time to understand your full picture — not just hand you a sample of drops.

Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation and find out what's really going on with your eyes.