As we recognize National Dry Eye Awareness Month this July, it is time to spotlight Dry Eye Disease (DED) — a chronic, progressive, and often underdiagnosed condition that affects people of all ages, including children. Left untreated, DED can silently damage the surface of the eye, interfere with daily life, and can reduce your overall quality of life.
Sometimes you might not even realize the early signs of Dry Eye Disease (DED) are happening. Do your eyes ever get red or irritated? Do you find yourself reaching for eye drops more often? Maybe your eyes get tired during computer work, or you feel a burning sensation while scrolling on your phone. Air conditioning might bother you more than before, or your vision takes a few blinks to clear. Your contact lenses feel uncomfortable sooner in the day, or your eyes just water for no apparent reason. Your eyes may feel itchy even when it is not allergy season.
These symptoms often develop gradually and can sneak up on you, sometimes only becoming noticeable once they start interfering with daily life. You might find it harder to focus at work, difficulty watching a 30-minute TV show, or safely drive your car. Contact lenses that once felt normal may suddenly feel intolerable. In more advanced cases, blinking can become painful, and it may feel more comfortable to keep your eyes closed than open. These symptoms may indicate severe Dry Eye Disease, which some patients describe as debilitating and deeply disruptive to daily life.
Yes, Even Children Are At Risk
Today’s kids spend more time on screens than ever — for school, gaming, social media, and entertainment. This intense and prolonged exposure strains their eyes and increases their risk of developing DED. If your child frequently rubs their eyes, complains of blurry vision, or says their eyes feel tired or itchy, these could be signs of dry eyes. Since children may not always express discomfort clearly, specialized diagnostics are now available to detect early DED, even in kids as young as five.
What Causes Dry Eye Disease?
Traditionally, DED was linked to aging, medications, contact lens wear, LASIK, hormonal changes, autoimmune conditions, and environmental factors like wind or smoke. However, in recent years, digital device use has emerged as a major contributor, affecting patients across all age groups. Staring at screens decreases the natural blink rate, disrupting the surface of the eye and can lead to Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), now known as one of the most common causes of DED. If left untreated, MGD can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Modern Diagnosis and Treatment
In the past, artificial tears were the go-to for relief. While they may soothe symptoms temporarily, they can also mask this disease instead of addressing the root cause. Today, research studies support the importance of identifying and treating DED early for more effective, better long-term eye health.
At Eye Society Optometry, we focus on investigating the root causes of Dry Eye Disease. Anyone who uses digital devices should consider a screening for DED, including children. Our advanced diagnostic tools can detect early signs of DED, even in children as young as five years old. With more patients experiencing persistent symptoms and suffering from DED, our mission is to shift from reactive treatment to proactive, long-term care. We have treatment available for children as young as six years old and advanced treatment to help manage Dry Eye Disease and support lifelong eye health and comfort.
You only get one pair of eyes and let Dry Eye July Awareness Month be your reminder to take action — because clear, comfortable vision should never be taken for granted.
Dr. Donna M. Hong is an optometrist and the founder of Eye Society Optometry in Downtown Alhambra. She is an alumna of Alhambra High School, UCLA, and the Southern California College of Optometry.
