Understanding Dry Eye Disease In La Crosse
If your eyes feel dry, scratchy, burning, or “gritty”—but won’t stop watering—you’re not imagining things. This combination of symptoms is surprisingly common, and it often leaves people wondering if they’re dealing with allergies, aging, too much screen time, or something they just have to tolerate.
In many cases, these symptoms point to dry eye disease (sometimes called ocular surface disease). Dry eye is common, but it’s also frequently misunderstood—especially because it can cause both dryness and excessive tearing at the same time.
Why Do Dry Eyes Water So Much?
It sounds backward, but watery eyes can be a classic sign of dryness.
Healthy tears are made up of three important layers:
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Oil Layer: Helps prevent tears from evaporating too quickly
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Water Layer: Provides moisture and hydration
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Mucin Layer: Helps tears spread evenly and “stick” to the eye’s surface
When the oil layer doesn’t function well (often due to blocked or inflamed oil glands in the eyelids), tears can evaporate too fast. Your eyes sense that dryness and try to compensate by producing more watery tears. The problem is that these reflex tears don’t contain enough of the “right” ingredients to stabilize the tear film—so your eyes can stay irritated and continue watering.
Why Does My Vision Get Blurry Until I Blink?
If your vision blurs and then clears after a blink, that’s often a sign your tear film is unstable.
Your tear film is the first “optical surface” light passes through. When it becomes uneven—because of dryness or inflammation—your vision can fluctuate. This tends to show up most during:
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Reading
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Computer or phone use
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Driving (especially at night)
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Extended focus tasks (like crafting or gaming)
Blinking temporarily spreads tears across the surface again, which is why vision may sharpen briefly—until the tear film breaks up again.
Is It Dry Eye Or Allergies?
Dry eye and allergies can look very similar. Both can involve inflammation and can cause redness, irritation, and watering. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
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Some allergy medications (including antihistamines) may worsen dryness for certain people
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Many patients treat “allergies” for years, only to discover dry eye is the main driver
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When underlying dryness is addressed, allergy-like symptoms may improve too
If your symptoms are frequent, persistent, or seasonal treatments aren’t helping, a proper evaluation can make a big difference.
Why Are My Contact Lenses Suddenly Uncomfortable?
Contact lenses can become uncomfortable when your eyes aren’t staying adequately lubricated. Lenses naturally interact with your tear film, and if the surface is already dry, you may notice:
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Lenses feel “fine” early in the day, then irritating later
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Increased dryness in air conditioning or windy environments
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Burning or stinging when lenses are removed
Depending on what’s causing your discomfort, Family Vision Center may recommend options such as daily disposable lenses, materials designed for dryness, or specialty lenses for more advanced dryness.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Dry eye often develops gradually. Early symptoms—occasional watering, mild irritation, or light sensitivity—can be easy to dismiss. Over time, however, the tear film may become less stable, and symptoms can become more noticeable.
Common contributors include:
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Screen and digital device use (reduced blinking)
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Hormonal changes
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Certain medications
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Environmental factors (fans, air con, dry air)
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Eyelid inflammation or oil gland dysfunction
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Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
The good news: once we understand why your eyes are dry, treatment can be far more targeted.
Should I Try Over-The-Counter Eye Drops First?
Over-the-counter drops can help, but not all drops are the same. Some inexpensive options contain preservatives that may increase irritation if used frequently. Also, if the main issue is oil gland dysfunction, “watery” drops alone may not solve the problem.
Rather than guessing, it’s best to have your eyes assessed so treatment matches the real cause of your symptoms.
What’s The Next Step?
If you’re noticing your eyes more than you should—burning, watering, grittiness, fluctuating vision, or contact lens discomfort—it’s time to get checked.
At Family Vision Center in La Crosse, we offer thorough eye care and dry eye evaluations to identify what’s happening on the ocular surface and create a personalised plan to help you see and feel more comfortable.
Book your dry eye assessment with Family Vision Center today.