Dry eye treatment in Bellflower
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people visit an eye doctor, and one of the most treatable once you know the cause.
Why artificial tears aren’t always enough
Healthy tears have three layers: oil, water and mucus. When any layer is off, tears evaporate too quickly and the eye surface becomes irritated. Surprisingly, watery eyes can be a dry eye symptom too, because the eye overproduces poor-quality tears.
We evaluate your tear film and eyelid glands to understand why your eyes are dry, then build a plan that goes beyond drops alone. Learn more in our article on why artificial tears aren’t always enough.
What causes dry eye?
Most causes are very treatable once we know which one you’re dealing with.
Screen time
We blink less when we focus on screens, so tears evaporate.
Blocked oil glands
Meibomian gland dysfunction makes tears evaporate too fast.
Age & hormones
Dry eye is more common after 50 and with hormonal changes.
Contact lenses
Lenses can absorb tears and reduce oxygen to the eye.
Medications
Antihistamines, some blood pressure drugs and others can dry the eyes.
Environment
Wind, air conditioning, heaters and Southern California sun.
Signs a dry eye visit could help
Not sure if this is right for you? Call us and we’ll help you decide.
- Your eyes burn, sting or feel sandy
- Your eyes water a lot for no reason
- Vision blurs and clears when you blink
- Contacts become uncomfortable by afternoon
- Drops help only briefly, or you use them many times a day
- You spend long hours on screens or in dry, air-conditioned rooms
Your dry eye visit, step by step
Here’s how a typical visit works, from booking to follow-up.
Symptom review
Your daily routine, screen time, medications and contact lens use.
Tear film evaluation
We check tear quality, quantity and how quickly tears break up.
Eyelid & gland exam
We look at the oil glands along your eyelids.
Personal treatment plan
Options may include lid care, prescription drops, and lens or habit changes.
Simple steps that may help
These tips can ease mild symptoms, but they don’t replace an eye exam, especially if symptoms are new, getting worse, or affect your vision. Long screen days are a big factor; see how much screen time is too much.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Use a warm compress on closed eyelids for 5–10 minutes
- Choose preservative-free artificial tears if you use them often
- Drink water and use a humidifier indoors
- Point car and desk fans away from your face
Dry eye care that goes beyond drops
We treat the cause
We find out why your eyes are dry, whether it’s your oil glands, screens or medications, and treat that, not just the symptoms.
Medical insurance accepted
Dry eye is a medical condition, so visits are usually billed to medical insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal plans.
Contact lens friendly
If contacts feel dry by afternoon, we can try a different material, daily lenses, or scleral lenses for severe dry eye.
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Call (562) 867-4716.
Is dry eye permanent?
Dry eye is often a long-term condition, but with the right treatment most people feel much better and keep symptoms under control.
Why do my eyes water if they’re dry?
When the eye surface gets irritated, it can trigger reflex tearing. Those tears are mostly water and don’t protect the eye well.
Can I wear contacts with dry eye?
Often yes, with the right lens material or daily disposables. Severe cases may do well with scleral lenses.
Is a dry eye visit covered by insurance?
Dry eye is a medical condition, so visits are typically billed to medical insurance rather than a vision plan.