Dry eye disease doesn’t always feel dry. In fact, one of the most misleading symptoms of this chronic condition is tearing—eyes that won’t stop watering, especially in wind, air conditioning, or while working at a screen. At Custom Eye Care at the Rim, we often meet patients who come in expecting an allergy diagnosis, only to learn their eyes are too dry, not too moist.
It’s a paradox—but one that makes perfect sense once you understand how your eyes try to protect themselves.
“Your eye wants to wash away the irritation,” explains Dr. Elaine. “It’s producing a lot of liquid tears to try to wash that away. And there you go—you get watery eyes, but it was because your eyes were dry first.”
This type of overcompensation is common in moderate to advanced cases of dry eye, where the tear film is unstable and unable to provide the right balance of water, oil, and mucus. Your eyes sense the dryness and flood the surface with reflex tears—watery and ineffective at restoring long-term moisture.
What Dry Eye Really Feels Like
The word “dry” doesn’t begin to cover it. Dry eye can feel like:
- Stinging or burning, especially later in the day
- Watery eyes that paradoxically indicate dryness
- Heavy, sore eyelids, particularly after screen time
- Blurry vision that clears with blinking
- A feeling of grit or sand in the eye
- Eye fatigue without any strenuous activity
Dr. Elaine notes that many symptoms worsen as the day goes on, especially in people who work on computers. “We don’t blink as often when we’re focused, and that can just compound and get worse,” she says.
Beyond Artificial Tears: When Relief Doesn’t Last
Artificial tears can be a helpful first step—but if you’re using them more than four or five times a day without lasting relief, your dry eye may need more advanced care. As Dr. Elaine puts it, “Artificial tears are basically a band-aid on the fundamental cause. There are things we can do to improve the quality of your tears—not just replace them temporarily.”
At our San Antonio clinic, we offer tailored solutions based on what’s really driving your symptoms. That could include inflammation, poor oil gland function, eyelid issues, or hormone-related changes. And for patients who have tried multiple treatments without success, we may explore biologic options—like serum tears.
Serum Tears: A Regenerative Option for Severe Dry Eye
When inflammation becomes chronic and surface healing is compromised, some patients need more than eye drops and heat masks. That’s where serum tears come in—biologic eye drops made from a patient’s own blood. Unlike over-the-counter solutions, these drops contain the natural growth factors and nutrients found in healthy tear film, making them especially effective in severe or non-responsive cases.
If you’ve already tried prescription drops, punctal plugs, or devices like OptiLight without success, our doctors may recommend serum tears as the next step. At Custom Eye Care at the Rim, we partner with Vital Tears® to deliver these customized drops directly to your home, offering both convenience and advanced healing.
Don't Dismiss the Signs—Even If They Seem Mild
One of the biggest challenges with dry eye is that most patients don’t realize they have it. As Dr. Elaine shared during a recent consultation,
“Nobody walks in saying ‘Doctor, I think my meibomian glands are malfunctioning.’ They just say ‘My eyes are tired’ or ‘I thought it was just allergies.’”
This is exactly why we recommend comprehensive evaluation when you notice recurring symptoms—even if they seem manageable. Left untreated, dry eye can escalate, affecting your vision, comfort, and quality of life.
Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation in San Antonio
Watery eyes may not be what they seem. If you’re relying on artificial tears daily, struggling with computer-related eye strain, or wondering why your eyes feel worse despite constant blinking, let us help you get answers.
At Custom Eye Care at the Rim, we offer detailed assessments, imaging, and advanced treatments—including serum tears and OptiLight—to get to the root cause of your symptoms. Visit us at 5222 De Zavala Rd, Ste 330, San Antonio, TX 78249, or call 210-981-3937 to book your appointment.
Saturday hours are available by appointment only as our hours vary*