Dry Eye

If you struggle with blurry vision, light sensitivity, or red eyes that feel scratchy, burning, or stinging, you may be one of the 16 million Americans with dry eye. You can feel better fast with proper care, and Thomas Nix, MD, offers proven solutions at Nix Eye Care and Surgery. He tailors your care to meet your needs, offering treatments that include prescription management, minor procedures performed in-office, and topical and oral treatments. To schedule your dry eye consultation, you can book online anytime or call the Jonesboro, Arkansas, office today.

What are the symptoms of dry eye?

Dry eye doesn’t feel the same for everyone, but common symptoms include:

• Burning, stinging, or scratchy eyes
• A gritty or “sand in the eye” sensation
• Red or irritated eyes
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Eye fatigue, especially if you’ve been spending a lot of time looking at screens
• Sensitivity to light
• Discomfort with contact lenses

Ironically, excessive tearing can also be a sign of dry eye. Your symptoms may worsen in dry climates, air-conditioned spaces, during prolonged screen time, or at the end of the day.

What causes dry eye?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes can’t make enough quality tears or when those tears evaporate too quickly. Some of the factors that cause dry eye are:

• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD): oil glands in the eyelids don’t work properly
• Aging (dry eye becomes more common after age 40)
• Hormonal changes
• Prolonged screen use and reduced blinking
• Contact lens wear
• Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure meds)
• Autoimmune conditions
• Environmental factors like wind, smoke, or dry air

Dry eye is often chronic and inflammatory, so prompt care is essential.

How is dry eye treated?

Dry eye treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Dr. Nix tailors your treatment depending on the cause and severity of your dry eye, and he may recommend:

Prescription management

If you have moderate to severe dry eye, prescription therapies can reduce inflammation and improve tear production. These may include prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops, tear-stimulating medications, or short-term steroid drops.

In-office minor procedures for dry eye

These procedures can dramatically improve your comfort, often with minimal downtime. Dr. Nix may perform:

• Thermal treatments to unblock oil glands
• Manual gland expression
• Punctal plugs to help retain natural tears
• Advanced light or heat-based therapies

These procedures address tear evaporation and gland dysfunction, which are major contributors to chronic dry eye.

Topical treatments for dry eye

Your topical therapy options include preservative-free artificial tears, lubricating gels or ointments, and lid hygiene solutions. Dr. Nix can also prescribe medicated eye drops tailored to your condition.

Oral treatments and nutritional support

In some cases, inside-out care may be most beneficial, especially if you have chronic inflammation or eyelid gland issues. Oral treatment options include omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and medications for inflammatory dry eye or gland dysfunction.

Call Nix Eye Care and Surgery or book an appointment online for your dry eye evaluation and treatment today.