Dry Eye

Dry eye can make reading, working, driving, and wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. At Bella Eye Care Optometry, we provide personalized dry eye treatment in Newark, CA by identifying what is disrupting the tear film and creating a plan focused on the underlying cause.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. A healthy tear film needs the right balance of water, oil, and mucus to keep the eyes lubricated, protect the ocular surface, and support clear vision. When this balance is disrupted, symptoms can become persistent and interfere with daily activities.

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Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye often develops from more than one contributing factor. Common causes include aging, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), blepharitis, previous eye surgery, contact lens use, allergies, and certain medications. Medical conditions, environmental exposure, extended screen time, and incomplete blinking may also affect tear quality or production.

MGD is a frequent cause of evaporative dry eye. It occurs when the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or do not release healthy oils. Without enough oil, tears evaporate too quickly. Blepharitis and eyelid inflammation may further disrupt gland function and increase irritation.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person and may affect one or both eyes. Patients often seek care for:

• Burning or stinging

• Redness

• Fluctuating or blurry vision

• Light sensitivity

• Excessive tearing

• Eye fatigue

• Contact lens discomfort

• A gritty or sandy sensation

If artificial tears are not providing enough relief, schedule an eye exam to find out what may be causing your symptoms.

Diagnosing the Root Cause

Effective treatment starts with a detailed dry eye evaluation. Our doctors look beyond the symptoms to identify the root cause and select targeted treatment. The examination may assess tear volume, tear film stability, evaporation, corneal health, eyelid inflammation, blink quality, and the condition and function of the meibomian glands.

Because dry eye has different forms and contributing factors, this diagnostic process helps us determine whether inflammation, poor oil flow, inadequate tear production, eyelid disease, or another issue is driving your symptoms.

Personalized Dry Eye Treatment Options

We build each dry eye therapy around three essential steps - heat, nourishing, and cleansing. Heat helps soften thickened oils and improve gland flow. Nourishing supports the tear film and ocular surface with appropriate products, hydration strategies, and nutritional recommendations. Cleansing reduces debris and buildup along the eyelids and lashes that may contribute to irritation and inflammation.

Your treatment plan will depend on the underlying causes and severity of your condition. Options available or recommended may include: