Do you ever feel like there’s sand in your eyes, even though nothing is there? After a day full of screen time, errands, or outdoor activities, your eyes might start feeling dry, irritated, or scratchy. That constant discomfort can affect your daily life, making it difficult to read, focus on work, or enjoy yourself.
During a comprehensive eye exam, our experienced optometrists can identify the cause and suggest dry eye treatment in Pembroke Pines tailored to your needs. Keep reading to learn about the main causes of gritty eyes, how symptoms develop, and the treatment options that can help you see and feel your best.
Why your eyes feel gritty
Gritty eyes don’t have just one cause. Some common culprits include:
- Dry eye syndrome: Insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation leads to eye irritation and a gritty feeling.
- Digital eye strain: Hours at the computer or on your phone reduce blinking, drying out your eyes.
- Contact lens wear: Poorly fitted contact lenses or extended wear can irritate the eyes.
- Environmental factors: Wind, smoke, air conditioning, and low humidity can worsen dryness.
- Aging and medical conditions: Tear production decreases naturally over time, and certain medications or health conditions can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
How dry eye causes that “something in your eye” feeling
Your eyes rely on a thin layer of tears, called the tear film, to keep them hydrated and comfortable. When this tear film isn’t working properly, every blink can feel rough, scratchy, or like something’s stuck in your eye. Dry eye can happen for several reasons, including:
- Blocked or inflamed eyelid glands
- Decreased tear production due to age or medical conditions
- Excessive tear evaporation
Treatments for scratchy eyes
Our skilled optometrists in Pembroke Pines create treatment plans that fit your eyes and lifestyle. Treatment options may include:
- OptiLight IPL therapy: Helps the oil glands in your eyelids work better and reduces inflammation that can cause dryness.
- Specialty contact lenses: Specialty lenses, such as scleral lenses, keep your eyes comfortable, hydrated, and supported even if your corneas are irregular.
- Medicated eye drops: Soothe irritation and replenish moisture where your eyes need it most.
- Orthokeratology: Since you wear ortho-k lenses overnight, you avoid the discomfort and dryness of daytime contact lenses.
During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will check your tear film, eyelid health, and how your lenses fit. This helps them design a treatment plan tailored specifically to your eyes and daily routine.
Managing gritty eyes from screen time
Long hours in front of screens can worsen your symptoms. Try these simple strategies to help reduce eye strain:
- Take regular breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This relaxes your eyes and encourages blinking.
- Adjust your screen settings: Lower glare and match your screen brightness to your surroundings to reduce strain.
- Keep your eyes moist: Use lubricating eye drops or other dry eye treatments recommended by your eye doctor to maintain comfort.
- Blink intentionally: When focused on screens, we tend to blink less. Make a conscious effort to blink fully to spread moisture evenly over your eyes.
- Position your screen wisely: Keep screens slightly below eye level and about an arm’s length away to reduce dryness and fatigue.
When to see an eye doctor
If your eyes continue to feel dry, scratchy, or irritated despite at-home care, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with an eye care professional. Persistent symptoms could signal underlying dry eye, inflammation, or lens-related issues.
Our optometrists work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle, whether that includes specialty contact lenses, scleral lenses, or advanced therapies like OptiLight IPL. Book an appointment with our team today to find out what’s causing your gritty eyes and begin a treatment plan that brings lasting relief.
