If you’ve ever felt burning, stinging, or gritty eyes, you’re not alone—millions of Americans experience dry eyes every day. This common eye disease also hits home as it is quite common in the Inland Empire, given our dry climate. At Bright Sight Optometry, we provide personalized dry eye treatment in Redlands, helping patients find relief so they can get back to seeing clearly and living brightly.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, or when the tears evaporate too quickly, or both. Some of the most common causes include:
Age: Tear production naturally decreases as we get older.
Digital device use: Staring at screens reduces blink rate by half, causing dryness
Environment: Dry climates, air conditioning, using a fan, and windy conditions can all make symptoms worse.
Contact lenses: Long-term wear may divide the tear film making it less stable.
Medications: Certain prescriptions, such as antihistamines or blood pressure medications, may contribute to dryness.
Underlying conditions: Autoimmune diseases (i.e. Sjogren's), eyelid issues (i.e. incomplete lid closure), or meibomian gland dysfunction can play a role.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
If you have dry eye, you may notice:
Burning or stinging sensation
Redness and irritation
Grittiness, like something is in your eye
Blurred or fluctuating vision
Light sensitivity
Excessive tearing (your eyes may quickly produce low quality tears as a "band aid" for your dry, irritated eyes)
How to Treat Dry Eyes
At Bright Sight Optometry, we tailor dry eye treatment in Redlands to each patient’s specific needs. Some common treatment options include:
Over-the-counter lubricating drops, gels, and ointments
Prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation and improve tear quality, such as:
Restasis® – helps increase your eye’s natural tear production
Xiidra® – reduces inflammation that contributes to dry eye symptoms
Cequa® – acts like Restasis but uses nanomicellar technology to deliver the medication more effectively
Miebo™ – designed to reduce tear evaporation
Tyrvaya® (nasal spray) – stimulates natural tear production through the nervous system
Punctal plugs to help retain natural tears
Lid hygiene, warm compresses, and lid massage to help the eyelids produce better oils and thus decrease tear evaporation
In-office meibomian gland expression to clear blocked oil glands and restore healthy tear film
Scleral lenses that vault over the cornea, creating a protective reservoir of fluid to keep eyes hydrated
Lifestyle changes, like taking screen breaks, using humidifiers, and wearing protective eyewear outdoors
Nutritional support, including omega-3 supplements to improve tear quality
When to See an Eye Doctor
While occasional dryness may improve with over-the-counter drops, chronic dry eye should not be ignored. Untreated dry eye can impair vision, cause corneal damage, and reduce quality of life.
If you’re struggling with persistent dry eyes, it’s time to see a professional. At Bright Sight Optometry, we provide customized dry eye treatment in Redlands to relieve discomfort and protect your long-term eye health.
Ready for relief? Schedule your appointment today and let’s find the right treatment plan for your eyes.
Call us at 909-435-0414 or book your appointment here: https://scheduleyourexam.com/v3/index.php/9684/
