Why Are My Eyes Stingy and Red? Solving Summer Dry Eye in Yorba Linda

If your eyes feel stinging, red, gritty, or unusually watery during the summer, dry eye may be the reason. At Charles Bittel III, O.D., we help patients in Yorba Linda identify what is causing their eye discomfort and develop a dry eye treatment plan focused on lasting comfort and healthier tears.

Why Summer Can Make Dry Eye More Noticeable

Dry eye develops when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly. Summer routines can make these problems more noticeable. Wind, air conditioning, and extended screen time can contribute to dryness and irritation, especially if your tear film is already unstable.

For patients, frequent transitions between warm outdoor conditions and air-conditioned indoor spaces may leave the eyes feeling irritated throughout the day. While occasional dryness may improve, persistent redness or stinging deserves a closer look.

Signs Your Red, Stinging Eyes May Be Dry Eye

Dry eye symptoms can vary from person to person. Common signs include:

•          Burning or stinging sensations

•          Red or irritated eyes

•          A gritty feeling or sensation that something is in the eye

•          Excessive watering

•          Blurry or fluctuating vision

•          Light sensitivity

•          Eye fatigue

•          Discomfort while wearing contact lenses

Watery eyes can be especially confusing. Even though your eyes are producing tears, those tears may not have the right balance of oil and moisture to stay on the eye properly.

Finding the Cause of Your Dry Eye

Meibomian gland dysfunction, or MGD, is a common cause of evaporative dry eye. When the oil-producing glands in the eyelids become blocked or do not work properly, tears can evaporate too quickly. Blepharitis and inflammation along the eyelids may also contribute to an unstable tear film.

During a dry eye evaluation in Yorba Linda, we examine your tear quality, eyelids, meibomian glands, and the surface of your eyes. This helps us determine whether your symptoms are related to low tear production, rapid evaporation, inflammation, gland dysfunction, or a combination of factors.

Personalized Dry Eye Treatment in Yorba Linda

Once we understand what is contributing to your symptoms, we can recommend treatment based on your specific needs. Some patients may benefit from high-quality artificial tears, eyelid hygiene, or prescription eye drops.

For patients with MGD and inflammation, we also offer Envision by InMode. Lumecca Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, is designed to target inflammation around the eyelids, while Forma-I bipolar radiofrequency, or RF, gently heats the eyelid area to support healthier meibomian gland function and improve tear quality.

If red, stinging, or irritated eyes are interfering with your summer, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Charles Bittel III, O.D. to learn more about advanced treatment options. Contact our office in Yorba Linda, CA, by calling (714) 779-8521 to book an appointment.

​​​​​​​Charles Bittel III, O.D.