Dry Eye: What Is It and What Can We Do?

If your eyes feel dry, gritty, irritated, or watery, you’re not alone. Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons people visit the eye doctor. But here’s something many people don’t realize — not all dry eyes are the same.

At VIVID VISION CARE in Henderson, NV, we help patients every day who say things like:

“My eyes burn by the end of the day,” or

“My eyes water all the time, but they still feel dry!”

That’s because dry eye can actually come from two main causes — Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye and Evaporative Dry Eye (MGD). Let’s break these down in simple terms.

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1. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye (Not Enough Tears)

Think of your tears like a natural moisturizer for your eyes. They’re made up mostly of water, along with oils and mucus to help spread and protect that moisture.

If you have aqueous deficient dry eye, your eyes simply don’t produce enough of that watery layer. This can happen when the tear glands (called the lacrimal glands) slow down or become damaged.

Common causes include:

• Aging

• Certain medications (like allergy, blood pressure, or antidepressants)

• Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome

• Hormonal changes

Symptoms:

• Constant dryness

• Burning or stinging

• Redness

• Feeling like something’s in your eye

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2. Evaporative Dry Eye (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD)

Your tears don’t just need water — they need oil too. That thin layer of oil comes from the meibomian glands, which line your eyelids. Their job is to keep your tears from evaporating too quickly.

When these glands get blocked, clogged, or inflamed, the oils can’t get out — leading to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

Even if your eyes produce enough watery tears, they can still dry out fast if the oil layer isn’t healthy.

Symptoms:

• Eyes that water easily (especially in wind or dry air)

• Blurry vision that clears after blinking

• Burning or tired eyes after screen time

• Crusty or sticky eyelids in the morning

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How We Diagnose and Treat Dry Eye

At VIVID VISION CARE, we use advanced diagnostic tools to figure out which type of dry eye you have — or if you have a combination of both (which is very common!).

Once we know the cause, we can create a custom treatment plan that might include:

• Lid hygiene and warm compress therapy

• Prescription eye drops or anti-inflammatory treatments

• Omega-3 supplements

• Artificial tears or lubricating drops made for your specific type of dry eye

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You Don’t Have to Live with Dry, Irritated Eyes

If you’re tired of constantly using over-the-counter drops with little relief, it might be time for a full dry eye evaluation. Understanding why your eyes feel dry is the first step toward long-lasting comfort.

At VIVID VISION CARE, we specialize in identifying and treating all forms of dry eye — including aqueous deficiency and MGD — so you can see clearly and comfortably again.

Visit us at 1528 W. Warm Springs Rd, STE 120 in Henderson, Nevada or schedule your Dry Eye Evaluation today.

Book an appointment or call (702) 433-1102 to get started. Visit our website vividvisionnv.com for easy online scheduling