Do your eyes constantly feel dry, irritated, and gritty? Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay lubricated, or when your tears don’t work properly. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. At Coastal Family Eyecare, we offer dry eye treatment in Orange Beach to help our patients find lasting relief. We offer advanced treatments like OptiLight IPL therapy and can recommend doctor approved products such as heated eye masks, preservative-free eye drops, lid scrubs, and eye-friendly makeup. 

The first step in finding relief is understanding why you’re feeling this way. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of dry eyes and what you can do to address them! 

1. Environmental factors 

Living in a beautiful coastal area like Orange Beach means you’re often exposed to sun, wind, and salty air—all of which can dry out your eyes. Spending time outdoors, especially at the beach, increases the chance of environmental factors irritating your eyes. Even the air conditioning you rely on to keep cool can reduce the moisture in your eyes, leading to that dry, gritty feeling. 

What you can do: Protect your eyes from the elements by wearing sunglasses and using lubricating eye drops. We recommend preservative-free eye drops, which are gentle on the eyes and can provide instant relief from dryness without harsh chemicals. 

2. Digital eye strain 

If you’re spending hours staring at screens—whether it’s a computer, phone, or tablet—you might be dealing with digital eye strain. When you focus on a screen, you blink less often, meaning your eyes don’t get the moisture they need. This can leave your eyes feeling dry and tired by the end of the day. 

What you can do: Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also try a heated eye mask to soothe and refresh your eyes after a long day. 

3. Contact lens wear 

Wearing contact lenses, especially for long periods, can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea, contributing to dryness. This is especially common with older types of lenses or if you wear your contacts for longer than recommended. 

What you can do: Talk to our Orange Beach eye doctor about trying more advanced, breathable contact lenses that are better suited for dry eye sufferers. In the meantime, preservative-free lubricating drops can help keep your eyes comfortable while wearing contacts. 

4. Aging 

As we age, our bodies produce fewer natural oils, including those that keep our tear film healthy. Hormonal changes, particularly in women going through menopause, can also play a role in developing dry eyes. 

What you can do: We can help you manage age-related dry eye with treatments like OptiLight IPL therapy. OptiLight is designed to improve the quality of the oils in your tear film, reducing dryness and inflammation. Heated eye masks and eye drops can also stimulate oil glands around the eyes, offering additional relief. 

5. Makeup and eye care products 

Did you know that some cosmetics can contribute to dry eyes? Many eyeliners, mascaras, and eyeshadows contain preservatives and chemicals that can irritate your eyes or block your tear ducts, leading to dryness. Applying makeup too close to the lash line can also affect the glands that produce the oils your eyes need to stay moist. 

What you can do: Consider switching to eye-friendly makeup products that are formulated for sensitive eyes. We can recommend makeup that won’t interfere with your tear film or irritate your eyes, such as Eyes Are The Story eyeliner and flake-free mascara. Also, always remove all makeup before bed to avoid further irritation. 

6. Health conditions and medications 

Dry eyes can be caused by underlying health conditions like allergies, thyroid disease, or Sjogren’s syndrome. Certain medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can also lead to decreased tear production. 

What you can do: If you think a health condition or medication is causing your dry eyes, Coastal Family Eyecare can work with you to identify the root cause and suggest treatments tailored to your situation.  

Let’s help your eyes feel better! 

Even if you experience chronic or severe dry eyes, you can still live a comfortable life with the right treatments. Schedule a visit to Coastal Family Eyecare in Orange Beach, AL, and let us help you find the perfect solution to keep your eyes hydrated.