As screen time soars and eye strain becomes a daily norm, a growing number of Americans are seeking answers for persistent eye discomfort鈥攐ften unaware that they may be suffering from a chronic and underdiagnosed condition: dry eye disease. In a recent interview on The Dry Eye Podcast, Dr. Selina McGee, an optometrist at Bespoke Vision in Edmond, Oklahoma, about the FDA鈥檚 approval of a promising new treatment and why dry eye care is finally having its moment.
A Growing Patient Population
McGee sees a rising tide of patients walking into her clinic with classic signs of dry eye鈥攂urning, fluctuating vision, and chronic discomfort鈥攜et many still don鈥檛 realize it鈥檚 a medical condition.
鈥淧eople often reset their expectations and assume eye discomfort is just a normal part of life. But if you鈥檙e constantly aware of your eyes, that鈥檚 a red flag,鈥 said McGee.
Even more misleading? Watery eyes. While it may seem counterintuitive, excessive tearing can be a symptom of dry eye. 鈥淭hose are reflex tears,鈥 McGee said, 鈥渘ot the nourishing, stable tears we need for visual comfort and health.鈥
The Basics of Better Eye Health
Beyond pharmaceuticals, McGee emphasizes 鈥渧isual hygiene鈥 as a cornerstone of eye care. Her go-to advice:
Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds鈥攁nd blink consciously.
Stay hydrated: Chronic dehydration is a common contributor to dry eye symptoms.
Get sleep: 鈥淥ur eyes heal at night,鈥 she said. 鈥淪kimping on rest means your eyes can鈥檛 recover.鈥
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The Road Ahead
McGee says TRYPTYR (by Alcon) is expected to become commercially available in the U.S. later this year. Prescribed as a twice-daily drop, it offers a new option for those seeking fast-acting, lasting relief.
While dry eye remains a chronic condition, McGee says the goal of treatment is simple: 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e no longer thinking about your eyes all day, that鈥檚 when we know we鈥檝e done our job.鈥
Julie Loffredi is a health journalist and host of The Dry Eye Podcast. She regularly covers advancements in ocular surface disease and patient experiences for Forbes.com, MSN, and national broadcast media outlets.
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