Is Dry Eye a Sign of an Underlying Condition?

If your eyes often feel dry, gritty, or irritated, you’re not alone. Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common issues seen in eye care today. But what many patients don’t realize is that chronic dry eye can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition - one that needs to be treated at the source rather than just managed with artificial tears.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is poor. While environmental factors like screen time and dry climates can contribute, long-lasting symptoms often stem from underlying eyelid or gland dysfunctions.

Two of the most frequent culprits are:

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): The meibomian glands along your eyelids produce oils that prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become clogged or inflamed, the tear film breaks down, leading to dryness, redness, and discomfort.

• Blepharitis: This condition involves inflammation of the eyelid margins, often caused by bacteria, debris, or blocked oil glands. It frequently occurs alongside MGD and can worsen dry eye symptoms if left untreated.

Because these conditions are progressive, early detection and targeted treatment are key to restoring eye comfort and protecting long-term eye health.

Treating Dry Eye at the Source

At Sunrise Eye Care, we use advanced, non-invasive technologies to address the root causes of dry eye - intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF) therapy.

• IPL Therapy: IPL delivers gentle pulses of light to the skin around the eyes, reducing inflammation, improving meibomian gland function, and targeting abnormal blood vessels that contribute to chronic dryness.

• RF Therapy: RF uses controlled heat to safely melt blockages in the oil glands and stimulate healthy oil production. The added benefit? RF can also tighten the skin around the eyes, improving both comfort and appearance.

By combining these treatments, our doctors can help restore your natural tear balance and provide lasting relief rather than temporary comfort.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Ignoring dry eye symptoms may allow underlying issues like MGD or blepharitis to worsen over time. When left untreated, these conditions can lead to chronic inflammation and even damage the surface of your eyes. With a comprehensive eye exam, we can determine what’s causing your dryness and create a customized treatment plan to improve your comfort and protect your vision.

Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation Today

Dry eye isn’t always a simple case of “not enough tears.” It’s often a symptom of deeper eyelid or gland dysfunctions that require professional care. We’re committed to identifying the true cause of your discomfort and providing advanced solutions that offer lasting relief.

Schedule a dry eye evaluation at Sunrise Eye Care to uncover the source of your symptoms and explore modern treatments like IPL and RF therapy.  Visit our office in Sunrise, Florida, or call (954) 845-0665 to book an appointment today.