Some days your eyes feel like they’re on fire. Other times, it feels like sand stuck inside. You rub them, blink harder, maybe even splash some water, but nothing really helps.

If that sounds like you, chances are you’re dealing with dry eyes. But here’s something you might not know… not all dry eyes feel the same. Some people feel burning. Others feel gritty. And both can mean different things.

Let’s talk about it the way we’d explain it to you in our clinic. No confusing stuff. Just real, clear answers.

Why your eyes feel weird in the first place

Your eyes stay healthy and comfy because of something called the tear film. It’s not just water. It’s got oil, water, and mucus.

The oil keeps the water from drying out. The water hydrates the surface. The mucus helps the tears spread evenly. When any part of that combo gets out of balance, your eyes start to complain.

And they all complain differently.

If your eyes feel like they’re burning

Burning eyes are very common. It’s that hot, stinging feeling. Almost like someone sprayed shampoo into your eyes. It gets worse in dry air or when you’re staring at your screen for too long.

Here’s what might be causing it:

• Your tears are drying out too fast
  
• Your oil glands aren’t working well (we see this a lot)
  
• You’re not blinking enough during screen time
  
• The air around you is too dry (think AC or heater)
  
• Makeup or skincare products getting into your eyes
  

Burning is usually a sign of evaporative dry eye. That means the water is there, but the top oily layer isn’t strong enough. So the tears just vanish quickly, leaving your eyes dry and stingy.

If your eyes feel gritty or like something’s stuck

Now the gritty feeling is different. It’s more like you have dust or tiny sand grains inside your eyes. Super annoying.

Sometimes it’s mild. Other times, you keep checking the mirror thinking there’s something there. But there’s nothing.

This usually happens when:

• Your eyes don’t make enough tears
  
• The surface of your eye isn’t smooth anymore
  
• Your tear film is too thin
  
• There’s low-grade inflammation
  

Gritty eyes often mean aqueous-deficient dry eye. That’s just a fancy way of saying your aren’t making enough good-quality tears to keep everything smooth.

Can you have both burning and gritty feelings?

Yes, and it happens a lot. You can have poor tear quality and low tear quantity. That means your eyes are double uncomfortable. One minute they sting, the next they feel scratchy.

Some patients also get blurry vision, feel tired while reading, or need to blink hard just to focus again.

So how do you know which one you have?

Honestly? You can guess based on how it feels, but the best way to know for sure is to get your eyes checked. We look at the surface of your eye, how your glands are working, how quickly your tears evaporate, and more.

It’s not painful. And it’s actually kind of cool to see what’s really going on with your eyes. Once we figure that out, we know how to fix it.

What can you do at home right now?

If you’re not ready to visit just yet, here are some things you can try that help both burning and gritty types of dry eye:

• Use artificial tears (the preservative-free ones are better)
  
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule if you’re on screens a lot
  
• Warm compresses help unblock the oil glands
  
• Drink more water
  
• Add a humidifier if your air feels dry
  
• Blink more on purpose when reading or working
  

It’s not a cure, but it helps a lot. And it keeps things from getting worse.

When it’s time to see your eye doctor

If you’ve tried the drops and the breaks and your eyes still feel weird, it’s probably time to get checked.

Some people wait too long because they think it’s just normal. But dry eye isn’t just a little discomfort. It can mess with your vision, affect your sleep, and make you feel tired all day.

Plus, if we catch it early, it’s much easier to treat. We have in-office Dry treatments, special drops, even tiny devices that help your glands work better. You don’t have to suffer through it.

One quick thing before you go

If your eyes burn, sting, feel gritty, or just don’t feel right, trust that feeling. Your eyes are trying to tell you something.

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Just ask. That’s what we’re here for.

Want to talk to our optometrist in Palo Alto? Send us your questions anytime. We’ll make sure you get real answers and the right care.