Why Are My Eyes Watering and Stinging in Lawrence This Fall? (It’s Not Just Allergies)

Fall in Lawrence can bring cooler temperatures, changing humidity, wind, and seasonal allergens. If your eyes start watering, burning, stinging, or feeling gritty this time of year, it is easy to assume allergies are the only cause. However, these symptoms can also be signs of dry eye disease.
 

At Dobbins & Letourneau Eyecare, we often see patients whose watery eyes are actually reacting to dryness. Understanding the difference can help us recommend care that addresses the source of your discomfort.
 

Why Dry Eyes Can Make Your Eyes Water

It may seem contradictory, but dry eye disease can cause excessive tearing. When the surface of the eye becomes irritated because the tear film is unstable or evaporates too quickly, the eyes may respond by producing a sudden rush of watery tears.
 

These reflex tears do not always contain the proper balance of oils, water, and mucus needed to keep the eye surface comfortable. As a result, your eyes may continue to feel dry or irritated even while they are watering.
 

Fall Allergies and Dry Eye Can Overlap

Seasonal allergens can certainly contribute to itchy, red, watery eyes in Lawrence. At the same time, fall weather and environmental changes can disrupt the tear film and worsen existing dry eye symptoms.
 

Signs that dry eye may be contributing include:

• Burning, stinging, or gritty sensations

• Watery eyes that still feel irritated

• Fluctuating or blurry vision

• Redness or sensitivity to light

• Discomfort during reading or screen use

• Symptoms that worsen outdoors, in wind, or around heating systems
   

Because allergy symptoms and dry eye can look similar, an eye examination can help determine what is actually affecting your eyes.
 

Finding the Cause of Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye is not the same for every patient. That is why we focus on understanding how well your tears are functioning and whether the oil-producing meibomian glands are contributing to the problem.
 

Our dry eye evaluations may include tear film testing, tear osmolarity measurements, and meibomian gland imaging. We also use the Oculus Keratograph 5M to evaluate factors such as tear breakup and meibomian gland structure.
 

These measurements give us more information than symptoms alone and help us develop a more personalized approach to dry eye care.
 

Treating More Than Seasonal Irritation

If allergies are contributing to your symptoms, we can account for that while also addressing underlying tear film problems. Our approach to dry eye care begins by determining what is causing the irritation and then recommending treatment based on your eye health, symptoms, and daily routine.
 

If your eyes are watering, stinging, or burning this fall, contact Dobbins & Letourneau Eyecare in Lawrence, KS at (785) 843-5665 to schedule an evaluation at 831 Vermont St, Lawrence, KS 66044.