Dry, Burning, Watery, or Irritated Eyes?
Dry eye symptoms do not always feel the same from person to person. For some, it feels like burning, stinging, or a gritty sensation. For others, it shows up as watering, redness, fluctuating vision, or discomfort with screens or contact lenses.
You may benefit from a dry eye evaluation if you are experiencing:
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Dryness, burning, or stinging
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A gritty or sandy sensation
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Red or irritated eyes
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Excess tearing or watery eyes
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Blurry or fluctuating vision
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Eye fatigue, especially with screen use
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Contact lens discomfort
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Symptoms that keep coming back
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When symptoms keep returning, it is often a sign that the underlying cause has not been fully addressed.
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Understanding What’s Causing Your Dry Eyes
Dry eye is not always caused by a lack of tears alone. In many cases, the problem is related to poor tear quality, inflammation, or dysfunction of the oil glands along the eyelids. That is why lasting relief often starts with identifying the cause.​
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Dry eye is not always caused by a lack of tears alone. In many cases, the problem is related to poor tear quality, inflammation, or dysfunction of the oil glands along the eyelids. That is why lasting relief often starts with identifying the cause.​
Inflammation and Tear Film Imbalance
Inflammation on the surface of the eyes or along the eyelids can make dry eye worse and keep symptoms active. Even when patients use artificial tears, inflammation and tear film imbalance may still be driving the problem underneath.​
Other Factors That Can Contribute
Dry eye can also be influenced by screen time, incomplete blinking, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, certain medications, environmental exposure, blepharitis, ocular rosacea, and some systemic health conditions. Because dry eye can have more than one cause, the best treatment depends on a careful evaluation.
Our Approach to Dry Eye Treatment at Eycon
At Eycon, our dry eye specialists treat dry eye at its source using a custom blend of proven, non-invasive treatments to deliver personalized solutions and lasting relief.
Meet Dr. Nathaniel McKay
Your dry eye specialist in
Washington DC
Originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Dr. McKay is a proud graduate of Penn State and Salus University, with advanced residency training in ocular disease. After more than a decade of experience in ophthalmology settings and earning his fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry, he founded Eycon to redefine the standard of eye care.
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His mission is to unite clinical excellence, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-first philosophy. Dr. McKay’s clinical expertise includes advanced dry eye therapy and specialty contact lens fittings for keratoconus - delivering personalized care for even the most complex visual needs.
Dr. McKay and the team at Eycon are committed to providing a premium, elevated eye care experience — where every patient feels truly seen, heard, and cared for.