If you’ve ever finished a long day of work only to find your eyes feeling tired, scratchy, or like they just can’t quite focus, you’re not alone. At Mission Eye Care, it’s one of the most common complaints we hear from patients—and dry eye is often at the root of it.
But there’s more to the story than simply staring at a screen for too long. Screens are one of several contributing factors, but dry eye is a complex condition and symptoms can occur even in people who spend limited time on digital devices. Understanding what’s actually happening to your eyes, and why, is the first step toward real, lasting relief.
Screens and Dy Eye: What's the Link
On average, we blink about 15 times per minute during normal daily activities. However, research shows that when using digital devices, this can drop to about 4 blinks per minute.
This reduction in blinking matters. Each blink plays an important role in eye health. It helps squeeze the meibomian glands along the eyelids, releasing oils that form the outer layer of the tear film. This oil layer is essential for slowing tear evaporation and keeping the eyes comfortable and lubricated.
When we blink less frequently and less completely, those glands aren’t stimulated properly over time. This can contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a leading cause of dry eye disease. Concerningly, we’re now seeing these changes at younger ages, which appear to correlate with increased screen use in children and young adults.
That said, screens are only one part of the picture.
Other Common Causes of Dry Eye
Dry eye symptoms can also be influenced by a variety of other factors, including:
Gland Dysfunction
Meibomian gland dysfunction can occur regardless of screen use, and happens when the small oil-producing glands along the eyelids aren’t functioning properly.
Hormones
Hormonal changes, particularly in women during pregnancy, menopause, or while taking oral contraceptives, can significantly reduce tear production and contribute to dry eye symptoms.
Medications
Certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and acne treatments may cause dry eye.
Environment
Environmental conditions such as wind, dry climates, indoor heating, and air conditioning.
Contact Lenses
Wearing contact lenses can affect the stability of your tear film and contribute to dryness and irritation.
Age
As we age, our eyes naturally produce fewer tears, which can lead to increasing dryness and discomfort over time.
Over-the-counter lubricating drops can provide temporary relief, but they don’t address the underlying cause of dry eye in most cases. This is why symptoms often return once the drops wear off.
Effective treatment depends on identifying which part of the tear system isn’t functioning properly, whether that’s tear production, oil gland function, inflammation, or environmental triggers.
The Good News
Dry eye is highly manageable once the root cause is identified. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many patients experience significant and lasting improvement in comfort and vision.
If your eyes feel dry, irritated, gritty, or even watery—which can still be a sign of dryness—a comprehensive dry eye assessment can help determine what’s really going on.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Eye Treatment at Mission Eye Care
Why do my eyes feel dry after looking at screens?
When you’re focused on a screen, your blink rate drops significantly—from around 15 blinks per minute to as few as 4. This means the oils that keep your tears stable aren’t being released as often, causing the eye’s surface to dry out faster. Over time, this can contribute to meibomian gland dysfunction, one of the leading causes of dry eye disease.
Can dry eye happen even if I don't use screens much?
Absolutely. Screens are just one of several contributing factors. Dry eye can be triggered by hormonal changes, certain medications, contact lens wear, aging, and environmental conditions like Calgary’s dry climate, cold winters, and indoor heating. A comprehensive dry eye assessment is the best way to identify what’s driving your symptoms.
Why do my eyes water if they're dry?
It sounds counterintuitive, but watery eyes are actually a common sign of dry eye. When the eye’s surface is irritated or lacking proper lubrication, it can trigger a reflex response that floods the eye with tears. These reflex tears don’t have the same quality as your natural tear film, so they don’t provide lasting relief—and this is something the team at Mission Eye Care sees and treats regularly.
Are artificial tears enough to treat dry eye?
Over-the-counter drops can offer temporary comfort, but they don’t address the root cause of dry eye. Mission Eye Care’s dry eye clinic offers evidence-based treatments—including IPL, radiofrequency, and iLux®—that target the underlying causes for longer-lasting relief, rather than just masking symptoms.
When should I see a Calgary optometrist about dry eye?
If your eyes feel consistently dry, gritty, irritated, or uncomfortable—especially if it’s affecting your ability to work, read, or use screens—it’s a good idea to book a dry eye assessment in Calgary. The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner you can find real relief, and many Mission Eye Care patients see significant improvement once the right treatment plan is in place.
Ready to Find Relief?
Your eyes work hard every single day. If they’ve been trying to tell you something, it might be time to listen. Book a comprehensive dry eye assessment with a member of our team and get a clear picture of what’s going on, and what can be done about it. Relief is closer than you think.
Dr. Andrea Lasby Optometrist (FAAO, FSLS, FCCSO)
Dr. Lasby is a private practice clinician and partner at Mission Eye Care in Calgary. She is residency trained in corneal disease and custom contact lenses. She is also a well-renowned speaker and serves on the board of the Alberta Association of Optometrists.
