As Southern California shifts from the heat of summer into the early days of fall, the weather can take a toll on your eyes. The Inland Empire, in particular, often experiences hot, dry winds during this seasonal transition. While these winds bring cooler evenings, they also strip away moisture from the air—creating the perfect storm for worsening Dry Eye Syndrome.
Why Seasonal Changes Trigger Dry Eye
Dry Eye Syndrome occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or when the quality of your tears is poor. Seasonal changes in Southern California, especially the dry winds, can intensify symptoms such as:
- Irritation and burning
- Redness
- Blurred vision
- A gritty, sandy feeling in the eyes
Allergies, common in early fall, can also make symptoms worse by adding inflammation and tear film instability to the mix.
Two Main Types of Dry Eye
Not all cases of dry eye are the same. Understanding the type of dry eye you may have is key to finding the right treatment:
- Evaporative Dry Eye
This is the most common form of dry eye. It occurs when the meibomian glands in the eyelids become blocked, preventing enough oil from reaching the surface of your tears. Without this protective oil layer, tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes dry and irritated. - Aqueous Dry Eye
This type happens when the lacrimal glands fail to produce enough tears. With reduced tear volume, the eyes cannot stay adequately hydrated, leading to discomfort and inflammation.
At Pacific Eye Institute, our specialists carefully evaluate which type of dry eye you have so treatment can be personalized for maximum relief.
Practical Tips to Protect Your Eyes
The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize discomfort during this seasonal shift:
- Use artificial tears to restore surface moisture.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to shield your eyes from wind and dust.
- Use a humidifier indoors to maintain healthy air moisture levels.
- Limit screen time or take frequent breaks, as prolonged digital use can reduce natural blinking.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments at Pacific Eye Institute
For many, lifestyle changes aren’t always enough. At Pacific Eye Institute, we offer advanced solutions tailored to each patient’s needs, including:
LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation Treatment – This in-office procedure applies gentle heat and massage to the eyelids, unclogging blocked meibomian glands and restoring the natural oil layer of your tears. By targeting the root cause of evaporative dry eye, LipiFlow helps improve tear stability and long-term comfort.
TearCare® System – A flexible, wearable eyelid device that delivers therapeutic heat to loosen hardened oils within the glands. Unlike other systems, TearCare allows you to keep your eyes open during treatment, making it comfortable and natural. Afterward, your doctor gently clears the glands to restore healthy tear flow.
Prescription medications and eye drops – Designed to reduce inflammation, improve tear quality, and enhance comfort.
Our specialists use the latest diagnostic technology to determine whether your symptoms are caused by evaporative or aqueous dry eye, then create a customized treatment plan for lasting relief.
Why Routine Eye Exams Are Essential for Dry Eye Management
Routine eye exams are more than just a way to check your vision—they’re a vital tool for safeguarding eye health, especially as shifting seasons bring new challenges. Dry Eye Syndrome can masquerade as simple irritation or redness, but without professional evaluation, underlying causes like meibomian gland dysfunction or inadequate tear production may go unnoticed.
As Dr. Edward Yung of Pacific Eye Institute emphasizes:
“If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter solutions aren’t helping, it’s time to seek professional care. Dry eye is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ condition … Only an eye doctor can determine the root cause and recommend the right treatment.”
This underscores how critical it is to have a comprehensive evaluation—not just for symptom relief, but to preserve long-term comfort and vision.
Conclusion
With the transition from Southern California’s summer heat into early fall—especially throughout the Inland Empire—your eyes are navigating a complex environment of hot, dry winds, seasonal allergens, and increased screen time. These factors contribute to both Evaporative Dry Eye (from clogged oil glands) and Aqueous Dry Eye (from reduced tear production).
Simple lifestyle strategies can provide relief, but professional care offers lasting results. At Pacific Eye Institute, our specialists are here to provide advanced treatments to target the root cause of your symptoms. If you’re noticing signs of dry eye such as burning, redness, blurred vision, or a gritty feeling in your eyes—don’t ignore the discomfort. Your eye health and comfort are too important to put off.
Call (800) 345-8979 today to schedule your dry eye evaluation and take the first step toward lasting relief and healthier vision.
What our Dry Eye Patients says about us:
“I am very satisfied with my care that I get at Pacific Eye Care with Dr.Yung. The staff if friendly and Dr.Yung is thorough with his exam. I trust him to get the best treatment for my ongoing eye issues.“
“Dr. Edward Yung was patient, sympathetic, and listened to me and my needs. He explained everything to me in simple easy to understand terms. He answered all my questions and I felt very confident in his expertise based on how easily he was able to explain everything. Most importantly I felt like he cared to do the best possible job and he seen me a person. He was not in a hurry or rush to get to the next person, he gave me more than enough time to consider what he said and to think of questions I may have. 1st experience was great.”
