You don’t need to be outside for long in Laconia to feel how fast our weather changes. One day it’s dry indoor heat, the next it’s cold wind or a wave of spring allergens. And your eyes? They feel all of it.
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people call us – and it’s no surprise. New Hampshire’s four-season climate is tough on tear production and eye surface health. But dry eye isn’t just annoying; when left untreated, it can get worse and impact your daily comfort and vision.
At Winnipesaukee Eye, we help patients understand what’s causing their discomfort and create custom solutions that match their lifestyle. So if your eyes burn, sting, or feel gritty more often than not – you’re in the right place.
Why Dry Eye Is So Common in Laconia, NH
Dry eye doesn’t always have a single cause. In a place like Laconia, we see a perfect storm of seasonal triggers:
- Winter heating systems dry out indoor air, which pulls moisture from your eyes
- Cold winds can disrupt your tear film and irritate the eye’s surface
- Spring and summer allergens inflame the eyes and can lead to tear instability
- Screen time (especially during cozy winters) reduces blinking and tear spread
- Aging, certain medications, and health conditions can make it harder to produce quality tears year-round
These environmental and personal factors layer on top of one another, and that’s why symptoms can come and go – or seem to appear out of nowhere.
Common Signs You Might Have Dry Eye
Dry eye doesn’t always feel “dry.” Many people are surprised to learn that watery eyes can also be a sign – your body may be overproducing poor-quality tears to compensate.
Some common symptoms include:
- Stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation
- Gritty feeling, like something’s in your eye
- Eye redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision that comes and goes
- Watery eyes
- Discomfort while reading, using screens, or wearing contacts
If this sounds familiar, there’s a good chance your eyes aren’t producing enough tears – or the tears they do make aren’t doing their job.
Real Solutions for Dry Eye – Not Just Temporary Fixes
Many people try over-the-counter drops, hoping for quick relief. While these can help in a pinch, they don’t always address the root cause. At Winnipesaukee Eye, we offer personalized care to get you lasting comfort – starting with identifying the type of dry eye you have.
Dry eye typically falls into two categories:
- Evaporative Dry Eye: Your tears evaporate too quickly, often due to poor oil quality in the tear film. This is the most common form and often worsens in dry, windy weather.
- Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: Your body doesn’t produce enough tears. This type is more common with aging, autoimmune conditions, and certain medications.
Once we know what’s going on, we can recommend tailored treatments such as:
- Prescription eye drops that increase tear production or reduce inflammation
- In-office procedures that unclog blocked oil glands
- Nutritional support like omega-3 supplements
- Moisture goggles or heat masks to improve tear film quality
- Simple at-home routines to manage comfort day to day
Some patients need a combination of these – and that’s where our team comes in. We’ll help you figure out what works, what doesn’t, and what kind of maintenance your eyes may need throughout the year.
Treating Dry Eye in Laconia Starts with One Conversation
Living in New England means your eyes go through seasonal extremes, and you shouldn’t have to just “deal with it.” If your eyes constantly feel irritated, blurry, or uncomfortable – especially with every weather change – it might be time to come in.
At Winnipesaukee Eye, we help patients from across Laconia and the surrounding Lakes Region get the relief they deserve. We listen, we explain, and we treat dry eye with more than just a bottle of drops at our local office.
Give us a call at 603-524-5770 to request an appointment. Your eyes deserve to feel as comfortable as the rest of you – in every season.