Dry eye is a common condition affecting millions every day. It occurs when the eye does not produce tears properly, or when tears are not the correct consistency and evaporate too quickly.
At Florida Eye Specialists, we use the latest technology to diagnose dry eye and identify its underlying causes. We carefully examine your eyelids and the front surface of the eye to assess the quality of your tears.
Do You Experience Any of These Symptoms?
Dry eye can present in different ways. If you regularly notice any of the following symptoms, a dry eye evaluation can help pinpoint the root cause.
Blurring of vision that comes and goes
Foreign body sensation (scratchy feeling)
Excessive tearing
Burning
Redness
Itching
Eye fatigue
Light sensitivity
Stringy mucus
Two Forms of Dry Eye
Type 1: Aqueous Deficient
The eyes don’t produce enough tears — specifically, the watery (aqueous) layer. Without enough fluid to bathe the front surface of the eye, dryness and irritation develop quickly. This type is often linked to underlying systemic conditions, which is why comprehensive testing is essential.
⚠ May be associated with autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s Syndrome, Lupus, or Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Type 2: Evaporative
The oil (lipid) layer that prevents tear evaporation is deficient, so tears dry up faster than usual — leading to symptoms even when tear volume is adequate. The root cause is typically Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), where small glands in your eyelids become clogged and can no longer mix oils into the tear film.
💡 This is the most common form of dry eye — and highly treatable when diagnosed correctly.
Dry Eye Contributing Factors
Dry eye rarely has a single cause. Identifying your specific contributors allows us to create a treatment plan that targets the source of your discomfort.
- Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, tranquilizers, blood pressure medicines, birth control pills, and antidepressants
- Diseases of the eyelid glands, such as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
- Pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy
- Following refractive surgery such as LASIK
- Allergies
- Infrequent blinking associated with computer or screen use
- Immune system disorders such as Sjögren’s Syndrome, Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Thyroid disease
- Blepharitis (bacterial or demodex)
Your Dry Eye Evaluation
Effective treatment starts by identifying and addressing the root cause. Your dry eye evaluation may include:
- SPEED questionnaire — assesses your symptoms subjectively
- TearLab — assesses the osmolarity of your tears
- InflammaDry — tests for inflammation in your tears
- Keratograph — measures tear break-up time, tear meniscus, meibography, and bulbar redness
- LipiView — visualizes the oil layer of your tears and observes your natural blinking
- Slit Lamp Evaluation — uses special dyes to fully assess the cornea and conjunctiva
- Meibomian Gland Evaluator — expresses the eyelid glands to observe gland function
Your doctor may order additional testing if they suspect underlying issues, including blood work to screen for Sjögren’s or allergy testing, which is available at all of our locations.
Ready to Find Lasting Relief?
Florida Eye Specialists is proud to offer a full-service Dry Eye Center at our San Marco location. Request an appointment today.