Dry, irritated eyes can make reading, driving, working, and wearing contact lenses uncomfortable. At Dr. Steven Lutz & Associates, we provide personalized dry eye treatment to address the source of your symptoms and improve daily comfort. Our optometrists evaluate your tear film, eyelids, oil glands, and eye surface before recommending care based on your needs.

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye develops when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a common cause of evaporative dry eye because blocked oil glands cannot properly stabilize the tear film.

Other contributing factors may include contact lens wear, medications, hormonal changes, dehydration, allergies, certain medical conditions, eyelid inflammation, and prolonged computer use. Because several factors can cause similar symptoms, an accurate evaluation is an important first step.

Common Signs of Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms can vary from mild irritation to ongoing discomfort that affects vision. Some patients have watery eyes because irritation triggers excess tears that do not provide lasting lubrication. You may benefit from a dry eye evaluation if you experience:

Burning, stinging, itching, or redness
A gritty or sandy feeling
Watery eyes or excessive blinking
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Light sensitivity
Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
Eye fatigue during reading or screen use

These symptoms can become more noticeable during winter, allergy season, extended screen use, or time spent in heated and air-conditioned environments.

Advanced Dry Eye Testing

Effective dry eye treatment begins with understanding what is disrupting the tear film. During your visit, we review your symptoms, health history, medications, daily routine, and contact lens use. Our team may also use advanced diagnostic testing to examine the eye surface and evaluate tear quality, eyelid health, and meibomian gland function. This detailed approach helps us distinguish dry eye from allergies, infection, and other eye conditions that may require different care.

Personalized Dry Eye Treatment Options

Your dry eye treatment plan will depend on the cause, type, and severity of your symptoms. Our team will consider your eye health, daily habits, medical history, and environmental factors before recommending a personalized approach.

Care may include artificial tears, prescription eye drops, medications that help the eyes retain moisture, punctal plugs, scleral lenses, in-office services, or supportive at-home strategies. We may also combine different approaches to improve tear quality, reduce irritation, and support long-term comfort. We will explain your options clearly and provide guidance for managing dry eye symptoms between visits.

Why Choose Dr. Steven Lutz & Associates?

Our eye doctors take time to identify the cause of your discomfort rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution. We combine attentive care with advanced dry eye technology to create a treatment plan focused on healthier tears, clearer vision, and lasting comfort.

Schedule your dry eye evaluation with Dr. Steven Lutz & Associates to identify the cause of your symptoms and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision. Contact our office at 1565 Eastover Pl, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, by calling (734) 769-2909 to request your appointment.