Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes,
Symptoms, and Modern Treatments

Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes cannot produce enough tears, or when the tears they produce evaporate too quickly. Tears are not simply water — they are a complex three-layer film consisting of an oily outer layer produced by the meibomian glands along the eyelid margins, a watery middle layer, and an inner mucous layer. A breakdown in any of these layers disrupts the tear film and leads to dry eye.

Symptoms often include a gritty or scratchy sensation, burning, redness, episodes of excessive tearing followed by dryness, blurred vision that briefly improves with blinking, and light sensitivity.

Evaporative dry eye is the most common form, accounting for up to 86% of cases. It occurs when the meibomian glands become blocked or dysfunctional, reducing the oily layer that normally slows tear evaporation. Without adequate oil, tears evaporate in seconds rather than minutes.

Aqueous-deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough of the watery tear component. This type is less common and can be associated with systemic conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis.

Arizona's low humidity, intense sun, high temperatures, and pervasive indoor air conditioning all accelerate tear evaporation. Contact lens wearers are particularly vulnerable, as lenses absorb a portion of the available moisture. Extended outdoor exposure in our high-UV, low-humidity environment is a significant contributing factor for many patients.

Effective treatment begins with identifying which type and severity of dry eye you have. Options include preservative-free lubricating eye drops for mild, intermittent symptoms; prescription drops such as Restasis® or Xiidra®, which target inflammation and stimulate tear production; punctal plugs — tiny silicone plugs inserted into the tear drainage ducts to keep tears on the eye longer; meibomian gland therapy such as warm compresses and lid hygiene to unclog blocked oil glands; omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, shown in clinical studies to improve tear film quality; and specialty contact lenses for wearers whose lenses worsen dry eye symptoms.

Our board-certified optometrists evaluate the root cause before recommending a plan — not a one-size-fits-all solution. See our full dry eye treatment breakdown for details on each option.