Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Dry Eye Syndrome?
An ophthalmologist, a doctor who specializes in eye care, usually diagnoses and treats dry eye syndrome. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye disease, or dry eye, happens when the amount or quality of your tears cannot keep the surface of your eye wet.
Tears are a mix of fatty oils, water, mucus, and proteins. They keep the surface of your eye smooth. They also protect it from the environment and from germs. Dry eye affects millions of people in the United States.
Symptoms
- A scratchy feeling, like something is in your eye
- Stinging or burning
- Redness and pain
- Blurry vision, and eyelids that feel heavy
- Discharge from the eye
- Tearing after periods of dryness
Your eyes may make extra tears because dry eye irritates them. Wind and cigarette smoke can make redness and irritation worse.
Causes and who gets it
Dry eye can happen when you make fewer tears or when your tears dry up too fast. Some medicines, getting older, rosacea, autoimmune disorders, and allergies can add to it.
Your eyelids matter too. The meibomian glands in your eyelids make the oily layer of your tears. If these glands are blocked or do not work well, tears can dry out too fast. Swollen or red eyelids, called blepharitis, can also add to dry eye. So can eyelids that turn in or out.
The risk grows as people get older. Women are more likely to get dry eye than men. It is more common in women who have gone through menopause. Using contact lenses for a long time, LASIK surgery, and looking at a screen for a long time can add to it.
How doctors diagnose it
An eye doctor starts with an eye exam. The doctor looks at your eyelids and the surface of your eye. The doctor also checks how you blink. Tests can measure how thick your tears are and how quickly you make tears.
Tell your eye doctor about all the medicines you take, including those without a prescription.
Treatment
You can treat mild dry eye symptoms with artificial tears, gels, and ointments. You can buy these without a prescription. If your dry eye is more serious, your eye doctor may prescribe eye drops that help your eyes make more tears.
Eye doctors may also use steroid eye drops for a short time to reduce swelling. A doctor can place plugs in your tear ducts to block or partly block them. This keeps liquid from draining out of your eye. In severe cases, surgery can close the tear ducts for good. Some devices approved by the FDA give temporary relief by stimulating the glands and nerves that control tear production. A doctor prescribes them.
Treating eyelid problems can help too. Your doctor may suggest warm compresses on your eyes, eyelid massage, or certain eyelid cleaners.
Small changes at home help too. Avoid smoke, wind, and air conditioning. Use a humidifier. Take breaks from screens. If you wake up with dry, scratchy eyes, try thick drops or ointment just before bed.
When to see a doctor
See an eye doctor if your symptoms last, get worse, or get in the way of daily life. See one too if over-the-counter drops do not help, or if you have significant redness, pain, or changes in your vision. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have a sudden change in vision.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can review your symptoms and the medicines you take, since some medicines add to dry eye. They can also help you reach an eye doctor for an eye exam.
Common questions
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease, or dry eye, happens when the amount or quality of tears cannot keep the surface of the eye wet.
Who is more likely to get dry eye syndrome?
Older adults and women are more likely to get it. The risk of dry eye goes up as people get older. Women are more likely to get it than men.
Why do my eyes water if they are dry?
Irritation can make your eyes produce extra tears. Dry eye irritates the eye, and eyes make more tears when they are irritated by it.
What role do the eyelids play in dry eye?
Oil-producing glands in the eyelids help keep tears from drying out too fast. Blocked glands are a leading cause of dry eye from tears that dry too quickly. Warm compresses and eyelid cleaning may help.
Sources
- National Eye Institute - Dry Eye
- American Academy of Ophthalmology - What Is Dry Eye? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
- MedlinePlus - Dry eye: An overview
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
