Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people visit an eye doctor, and it is easy to dismiss as a minor annoyance. But burning, gritty, or watery eyes that will not settle down can affect your comfort, your vision, and your day. In a screen-heavy area like Bellevue, dry eye is something we see often, and it is very treatable once the cause is understood.
At Overlake EyeCare, we diagnose and treat dry eye at our Bellevue office, serving patients throughout Bellevue and the surrounding Eastside. This guide explains what dry eye is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment options available, so patients from neighborhoods like Crossroads, Bridle Trails, Lake Hills, and Downtown Bellevue can find relief close to home.
Key Takeaways
- Dry eye happens when your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears are not the right quality to keep the surface comfortable.
- Common causes include age, extended screen time, contact lens wear, certain medications, and dry or windy environments.
- Symptoms can include burning, grittiness, redness, and, surprisingly, watery eyes from reflex tearing.
- Treatment is tailored to the cause and can range from artificial tears and lid care to prescription drops and in-office options.
- Our Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007. Call or text (425) 643-2020.
- We serve patients across Bellevue, including Crossroads, Lake Hills, Bridle Trails, Downtown Bellevue, Wilburton, BelRed, and the Overlake area, in ZIP codes 98004, 98005, 98006, 98007, and 98008.
1. What Is Dry Eye?
Your eyes rely on a steady layer of tears to stay comfortable and to see clearly. Dry eye develops when that tear film breaks down, either because the eyes do not produce enough tears or because the tears evaporate too quickly. The result is a surface that is not properly protected and lubricated.
There are two main patterns. In one, the eyes simply do not make enough tears. In the other, which is very common, the tears evaporate too fast, often because the small glands in the eyelids that add the oily layer to tears are not working well. Many people have a mix of both, which is why treatment works best when it is matched to the underlying cause.
2. Common Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye can have several contributing factors, and often more than one is at play. Common causes include:
- Age, since tear production tends to decrease over time
- Extended screen time, which reduces how often you blink
- Contact lens wear
- Certain medications, including some antihistamines and blood pressure medicines
- Dry, windy, or air-conditioned environments
- Hormonal changes and some medical conditions
Screen use is worth a special mention. Many Bellevue patients spend long hours at a computer, and focused screen time cuts your blink rate, which lets the tear film dry out. That is a frequent driver of the burning and fluctuating vision people notice by the end of a workday.
3. Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye can feel different from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Burning, stinging, or a gritty, foreign-body feeling
- Redness and irritation
- Watery eyes, which can happen when the eyes reflexively overproduce tears
- Blurry vision that comes and goes, especially while reading or on a screen
- Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
- Sensitivity to light
Watery eyes surprise many people, but they are a common sign of dry eye. When the surface is irritated, the eye can produce a flood of reflex tears that do not fix the underlying problem.
4. How Dry Eye Is Diagnosed
Dry eye is diagnosed during an eye exam focused on the surface of the eye and the tear film. Your eye doctor reviews your symptoms, medications, and daily habits, then examines the eyes to see how well the tears are working, whether the surface shows signs of dryness, and whether the eyelid glands are functioning normally.
Because dry eye has more than one possible cause, this evaluation is what allows treatment to be targeted rather than one-size-fits-all. Identifying whether the issue is too few tears, poor tear quality, or a mix guides which treatments are most likely to help.
5. Dry Eye Treatment Options
Dry eye treatment is built around the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. Options often include:
- Artificial tears and lubricants. Over-the-counter drops and gels can ease symptoms and are often a starting point.
- Eyelid care and warm compresses. When the eyelid glands are involved, warm compresses and lid hygiene help the glands work better.
- Prescription treatments. Medicated drops can reduce inflammation and help the eyes make more of their own tears.
- Habit and environment changes. Taking regular screen breaks, blinking more deliberately, and using a humidifier can all reduce symptoms.
- In-office options. For more persistent dry eye, additional treatments such as tear-duct plugs or other procedures may be recommended.
Many people improve with a combination of these, adjusted over time as your eye doctor sees how your eyes respond.
6. Dry Eye Care Across Bellevue
Our Bellevue office treats dry eye for patients from neighborhoods across the city and the nearby Eastside. Patients come to us from Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue, Bridle Trails and Northwest Bellevue, Lake Hills, Downtown Bellevue, and the Wilburton, BelRed, and Overlake areas.
The office is in ZIP code 98007, and patients also visit from Bellevue ZIP codes 98004, 98005, 98006, and 98008, along with other nearby Eastside areas. Because dry eye often takes a little follow-up to get right, a nearby office makes it easier to fine-tune your treatment.
7. Visiting Our Bellevue Office
Overlake EyeCare’s Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007, in the Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue area. The office is easy to reach from Crossroads, Lake Hills, the Overlake area, Bridle Trails, BelRed, and Downtown Bellevue.
To schedule a dry eye evaluation or a comprehensive eye exam, call or text (425) 643-2020. If burning, gritty, or watery eyes are bothering you, our team can help find the cause and a plan for relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dry eye?
Dry eye can be caused by age, long hours of screen time, contact lens wear, certain medications, and dry or windy environments, often in combination. It happens when the eyes do not make enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly.
Why do my eyes water if they are dry?
Watery eyes are a common sign of dry eye. When the surface of the eye is irritated, it can produce a burst of reflex tears that do not resolve the underlying dryness, so the eyes feel both watery and irritated.
How is dry eye treated?
Treatment is matched to the cause and can include artificial tears, warm compresses and eyelid care, prescription drops, habit and environment changes, and in-office options for more persistent cases. Many people improve with a combination adjusted over time.
Where can I get dry eye treatment near Crossroads in Bellevue?
Overlake EyeCare’s Bellevue office is at 1837 156th Ave NE, Suite A201, Bellevue, WA 98007, in the Crossroads and Northeast Bellevue area, and treats dry eye for patients throughout Bellevue. Call or text (425) 643-2020 to schedule.
Can screen time make dry eye worse?
Yes. Focused screen time reduces how often you blink, which lets the tear film dry out. Regular screen breaks and more deliberate blinking can help, and an eye doctor can recommend additional treatment if symptoms continue.
Conclusion: Comfortable, Clear Vision With Dry Eye Care in Bellevue
Dry eye is common and very treatable once the cause is understood. From simple steps like artificial tears and screen breaks to prescription treatments and in-office options, the right plan can bring real relief.
Overlake EyeCare has served the Eastside for over 40 years with both ophthalmology and optometry at our Bellevue office. If you live in Crossroads, Bridle Trails, Lake Hills, Downtown Bellevue, the Overlake area, or elsewhere in Bellevue, call or text (425) 643-2020 to schedule your dry eye evaluation.
