Have your eyes felt irritated lately? You’re not alone – and it’s not just winter air to blame. Dry eye is a chronic condition that doesn’t care what season it is. Whether you’re staring at a screen, dealing with Michigan pollen, or spending time in front of a fan or air conditioner, your tear film can become compromised.
At Abdella EyeCare, PC in Flint Township, we see patients with dry eye symptoms every single month of the year. This condition, also known as dry eye disease (DED), happens when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears, or the tears that are produced don’t function the way they should. Without quality tear production, your eyes can become dry, red, irritated, and even blurry. And the more you rub them? The worse it often gets.
Causes of Chronic Dry Eye: It’s More Than Just the Weather
While winter air is often dry and harsh, environmental factors are only one part of the puzzle.
Here are three common contributors that affect tear quality and production all year round:
1. Prolonged Screen Time
Spending hours on digital devices decreases your blink rate. And when you blink less, your tear film has fewer opportunities to spread evenly across the eye’s surface. The result? Evaporation of moisture, irritation, and that familiar gritty feeling.
2. Seasonal Allergies
Allergens like pollen and dust aren’t just springtime visitors. They can wreak havoc during summer and fall, too – leading to inflammation and itching that can further damage the tear film.
3. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Your meibomian glands are responsible for producing the oil layer of your tear film. When these glands become blocked, it can lead to evaporative dry eye. MGD is especially common among older adults, contact lens wearers, and people who wear heavy makeup.
Symptoms often include:
- Burning or stinging
- Redness and watering
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision that improves with blinking
- A feeling like something is in your eye
These symptoms tend to persist and worsen over time without care – so don’t wait until winter to act.
Treatments That Actually Work for Chronic Dry Eye
The good news? Dry eye can be managed – often effectively – with the right combination of care. Treatment depends on the root cause of your symptoms, and a thorough eye exam is the first step toward finding real relief.
Here are some of the most effective options available at Abdella EyeCare, PC:
Artificial Tears and Prescription Eye Drops
Over-the-counter artificial tears can help with mild symptoms, but they often only provide temporary relief. For moderate to severe cases, your optometrist may recommend prescription drops that address inflammation or help increase tear production.
Lid Hygiene & Warm Compresses
When MGD is the culprit, your eye doctor may suggest using warm compresses to loosen clogged oils in the meibomian glands. Specialized eyelid cleansers can also help remove debris and reduce bacterial buildup that can worsen inflammation.
Punctal Plugs
These tiny devices are inserted into your tear ducts to slow drainage and keep tears on the eye’s surface longer. They’re quick, safe, and often used for moderate dry eye cases where drops aren’t quite enough.
In-Office Procedures
If conservative treatments aren’t effective, Abdella EyeCare, PC offers in-office dry eye therapies that target the problem at its source. Procedures like thermal pulsation therapy or intense pulsed light (IPL) can help restore proper function to the oil-producing glands and reduce inflammation long-term.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Avoiding air blowing directly on your face (especially from AC vents or fans), staying hydrated, taking screen breaks, and wearing wraparound sunglasses outside can all help manage symptoms day-to-day. Even small changes to your habits can support tear stability.
Year-Round Dry Eye Relief in Flint Township
Chronic dry eye doesn’t follow a calendar – and neither should your eye care. Whether your symptoms are mild and annoying or painful and persistent, Abdella EyeCare, PC is here to help. Our experienced team will identify the underlying cause of your discomfort and create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
You deserve to live without the constant distraction of dry, irritated eyes. Call 810-710-8383 or book an eye care appointment online to find lasting relief at Abdella EyeCare, PC.