July Is Dry Eye Awareness Month

When was the last time you thought about your eye health? July is the perfect opportunity because it’s Dry Eye Awareness Month! Millions of people have dry eye disease, but here’s the surprising part—not everyone realizes it. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or not, keeping your eyes healthy should be a priority.

At Stanton Optical, we’re here to help. Our independent doctors are offering free dry eye screenings to raise awareness and empower you to take care of your eyes. Keep reading to learn more about dry eye disease and how early detection can make a world of difference.

What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Dry eye disease happens when your tears evaporate too quickly, because the oil layers of tears are not doing the best job possible, or because the lacrimal gland is not producing enough tears. Tears may seem simple, but they play a vital role in keeping your eyes comfortable and your vision clear. When the balance of tear production or evaporation gets disrupted, your eyes can feel irritated, your vision may fluctuate, and/or have frequent episodes of blurry vision.

Common Causes and Symptoms

Though it can affect anyone, dry eye disease is often linked to:

• Long hours staring at screens
• Aging (especially after age 50)
• Certain medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants
• Windy, dry environments
• Wearing contact lenses

Symptoms can include redness, burning, stinging, blurry vision, and watery eyes (a counterintuitive reaction to dryness).

But here’s something you might not know—not everyone with dry eye experiences symptoms.

Can You Have Dry Eye Disease Without Symptoms?

Yes, absolutely. Some people may not feel discomfort, but this doesn’t mean your eyes are fine. For example, your body might adapt in ways that mask underlying issues, or the early stages of dry eye may not cause noticeable irritation. However, untreated dry eye can worsen over time, leading to complications like inflammation or corneal damage.

This is why regular screenings and comprehensive eye exams are so important. Even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms, a trained eye doctor can detect signs of dry eye disease and recommend preventative measures to protect your vision.

Types of Dry Eye Disease

There are two main types of dry eye disease, and knowing which one you have is crucial for effective treatment:

• Evaporative Dry Eye happens when the oily layer of your tears is compromised, often due to blocked Meibomian glands.
• Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eye occurs when your glands don’t produce enough water-based tears.

An eye exam will help pinpoint the root cause so you can start on the right treatment plan.

How Screenings Can Help

A comprehensive eye exam does more than check your vision; it also dives into the health of your eyes. Here’s what to expect when being screened for dry eye disease at Stanton Optical:

1. Tear Film Analysis – Tools measure the quality and quantity of your tears.
2. Meibomian Gland Evaluation – Your doctor will check if these glands are functioning properly.
3. Rule Out Other Causes – Sometimes redness or irritation is due to allergies or other eye issues, not dry eye.

Getting screened ensures you don’t overlook something serious. Plus, catching issues early makes treatment simpler and more effective.

Free Dry Eye Screenings

We honor Dry Eye Awareness Month every day by offering free dry eye screenings at Stanton Optical’s Eye Health & Wellness Clinic in Boynton Beach. Our clinic provides top-tier diagnostic tools, like keratography, to evaluate the quality of your tears, evaporation rates, and gland functionality.

Depending on your needs, treatments may include:

• Artificial tears for quick relief
• Heat masks to unblock oil glands
• Lid scrubs for cleaning eyelashes/eyelid margins of excessive bacteria that can cause inflammation and increase dry eye symptoms.
• Mibo Thermoflo, a cutting-edge thermal pulsation therapy

We’re dedicated to making quality care affordable and accessible for everyone.

Why Start Now?

Even mild cases of dry eye can escalate if left untreated. Chronic irritation can lead to inflammation and even damage to your cornea, impacting your vision and comfort over time. Taking action now can improve your quality of life and prevent bigger issues down the line.

Celebrate Your Vision

Your eyes work hard for you every day, and this July is a great time to nurture them. Whether you have symptoms or not, Stanton Optical is here to provide answers and solutions. From free screenings to comprehensive care, we’ve got you covered.

Click here to schedule your comprehensive eye exam or walk-in for your free dry eye screening. Your eyes deserve to see the world clearly, and we’re here to help make that possible!

References:
Review of Optometry – Dry Eye Therapies
American Optometric Association – Dry Eye