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Dry Eye Syndrome in Lake Worth, FL

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry, itchy eyes can affect nearly everyone at some point, but when irritation lasts more than a few days or keeps returning, it may indicate dry eye syndrome, a common eye condition caused by reduced tear production or poor tear film quality. Many people experience chronic dry eye symptoms due to medical conditions, certain prescription medications, extended screen time, environmental factors, or lifestyle habits that interfere with natural eye lubrication. Because tears are essential to long-term eye health, ongoing dryness can lead to eye inflammation, irritation, redness, and even blurry vision when left untreated. In most cases, dry eye syndrome is linked to an underlying issue, and identifying that cause often leads to noticeable dry eye relief.

At Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth, FL, our experienced eye doctors perform a comprehensive eye exam to accurately diagnose dry eye and recommend personalized dry eye syndrome treatment options designed to improve comfort, restore eye lubrication, and protect vision. If persistent dryness or irritation is affecting your daily life, the team at Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth, FL is here to help and invites you to schedule a consultation to take the next step toward healthier, more comfortable eyes.

What Are the Benefits of Treating Dry Eye?

Dry eye treatment does more than soothe uncomfortable symptoms. It plays a key role in supporting long-term eye health and improving everyday comfort. Patients often notice meaningful improvements that extend beyond temporary relief, including the following benefits:

Helps reduce itchy eyes, burning sensations, eye irritation, and redness caused by dry eye
Supports greater daily comfort, making reading, screen time, and outdoor activities more enjoyable
Promotes a healthier ocular surface, lowering the risk of corneal damage, abrasions, and eye infections
Strengthens tear film stability, which can lead to clearer vision and improved visual clarity

By addressing the root causes of chronic dry eye, these treatments help maintain balanced tear production, protect eye tissues, and support long-term eye wellness.

What are Symptoms of the Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome can lead to ongoing discomfort that interferes with vision and everyday activities. Common symptoms include:

Decreased vision
Bloodshot eyes
Burning
Achiness
Heavy feeling
Foreign body sensation when wearing contact lenses
Light sensitivity
Trouble driving at night

These symptoms are often linked to chronic dry eye, tear film imbalance, ocular surface disease, and persistent eye irritation. A comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor can identify the underlying cause and help guide personalized dry eye treatment to improve comfort and visual clarity.

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

As we age, the eyes naturally produce fewer tears, which makes aging one of the most common contributors to dry eyes and reduced tear quality. When tear production slows down, the tear ducts can become less effective at keeping the eyes properly lubricated. While age plays a major role, several other everyday and health-related factors can also increase the risk of chronic dry eye symptoms, including:

Dry eye syndrome linked to indoor air quality, low humidity, or frequent exposure to air conditioning and heating
Hormonal changes in women, especially during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause
Underlying illnesses or autoimmune conditions that affect tear glands
Extended contact lens use, which can disrupt the eye’s natural moisture balance
Digital eye strain caused by reduced blinking while reading or using computers and mobile screens
Certain medications that cause dry eyes, including tranquilizers, birth control pills, and some heart medications

Understanding these contributors can help identify why symptoms like burning, irritation, or gritty eyes develop and guide more effective dry eye treatment options.

What Are the Risk Factors of Dry Eye Syndrome?

Several factors can play a role in the development of dry eye syndrome, and many of them become more common over time. Age-related dry eye is one of the most significant contributors, as natural tear production decreases with age, particularly after 50. Hormonal changes, including those related to menopause and dry eyes, can also affect tear quality and stability. Everyday habits and surroundings matter too. Prolonged screen time, frequent digital device use, and reduced blinking can worsen symptoms, while environmental triggers like wind, low humidity, dry climates, or constant air conditioning often lead to increased eye dryness and irritation. Wearing contact lenses may further disrupt the tear film, and certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications are known to contribute to chronic dry eye symptoms. In some cases, underlying medical issues like autoimmune disorders, including Sjogren’s syndrome, can significantly increase the risk of developing persistent dry eye disease.

Who is a candidate for dry eye treatment?

There are a few signs that accompany dry eye syndrome. You may be a good candidate for severe dry eye syndrome treatment if you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms in both of your eyes:

A stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation
Sensitivity to light
Difficulty wearing contacts
Watery eyes (the body’s response to irritation of the eyes)
Blurred vision or fatigue
Eye redness
Difficulty with driving at night
Stringy mucus in or around your eyes

Any prolonged irritation of the above symptoms may mean that you require help for dry eye syndrome. You should see our eye specialists when you’ve gone through eye irritation that is a consistent problem. If you’re wondering if dry eye treatment is right for you, schedule a consultation with eye specialists at Palm Beach Eye Center.

How it dry eye syndrome treated?

Dry eye syndrome typically develops when the eyes do not make enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly due to poor quality. Dry eye syndrome can occur when the lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, or goblet cells are disrupted by factors such as hormonal changes, prolonged computer use, medical conditions like diabetes, or certain prescription medications. During your visit, a member of our Lake Worth, FL ophthalmologist team will perform a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate your eye health, review your medical history, and create a personalized dry eye treatment plan. Your recommended care may include:

Specialized eye drops to support tear production and improve lubrication
Punctal occlusion for more advanced cases, using small plugs to help preserve your natural tears
LipiFlow® to relieve pressure and clear blocked meibomian glands for healthier tear function

Dry Eye Syndrome FAQ

Should I see a doctor for dry eyes?

Yes. If dry eye symptoms continue even after using over-the-counter artificial tears, or if chronic dry eye is interfering with reading, driving, or screen use, it is a good idea to see an eye doctor. An exam can identify the underlying cause and lead to a customized dry eye treatment plan that offers longer-lasting relief.

Can certain foods help with dry eye syndrome?
Yes. Nutrition plays a supportive role in managing dry eye syndrome. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory nutrients may help improve tear quality and eye comfort. We often suggest adding foods such as fish, leafy greens, chia seeds, flaxseed, beans, and increasing daily water intake. These choices can support tear production and reduce irritation over time.

Is dry eye syndrome permanent?
There is currently no permanent cure for dry eye disease, but symptoms can be effectively managed. With the right care, many patients experience significant improvement in comfort and eye health. Treatment options may include prescription eye drops, punctal occlusion to conserve natural tears, or advanced therapies like LipiFlow® treatment to unclog blocked meibomian glands and improve tear stability.

Can dry eyes damage your eyes?
Yes. When the eyes do not produce enough healthy tears, the surface of the eye becomes more vulnerable. Untreated severe dry eye can increase the risk of eye infections, chronic inflammation, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and even vision loss. Early diagnosis and consistent dry eye management help protect long-term ocular surface health.

Can dry eye be seasonal?
Absolutely. Seasonal dry eye is common, with symptoms often worsening in winter due to dry indoor air and heating systems. Allergy seasons can also trigger flare-ups because of pollen, dust, and other airborne irritants. Environmental changes can significantly impact tear film stability, even in patients who have mild symptoms the rest of the year.

How can I prevent dry eye symptoms?
Preventing flare-ups often comes down to daily habits and environmental awareness. Helpful strategies include:

Taking regular breaks from screens to reduce digital eye strain
Using a humidifier to combat dry indoor air
Wearing sunglasses outdoors to shield eyes from wind and UV exposure
Avoiding smoke and other irritants
Blinking more often during prolonged screen use

These steps can help reduce discomfort and support overall eye comfort for those prone to dry eyes.

Relieve Your Dry Eye Today

Living with dry eye syndrome can be uncomfortable and disruptive, and without proper care, it may even affect long-term vision health. Persistent dry eye symptoms, burning, redness, or fluctuating vision are often signs that store-bought drops alone are not enough. A comprehensive dry eye exam with our experienced eye care team can help uncover the root cause and lead to more effective, personalized dry eye treatment options. Patients throughout Delray Beach, FL, and Lake Worth, FL, are encouraged to schedule a visit with one of the skilled ophthalmologists at Palm Beach Eye Center. Our South Florida specialists focus on advanced dry eye diagnosis, chronic dry eye management, and tailored care plans designed to restore comfort and protect your vision.