Vision Therapy in Gaithersburg

Spotting the Signs of Dry Eye

(301) 869-4070

Understanding the Symptoms

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and its symptoms can vary in severity. It's crucial to recognize the signs of dry eye early to seek appropriate treatment and improve your eye health and comfort.

man with sore eyes


Common Symptoms to Look Out For

woman with red eyes

Experiencing dry eye symptoms can greatly affect your daily life and overall health. These symptoms can disrupt your work, hobbies, and even your ability to carry out everyday tasks comfortably.

The constant discomfort and distraction caused by these symptoms can lower your productivity and overall quality of life. 

Here are common signs that may indicate dry eye syndrome:

  • Dryness:
    A persistent sensation of dryness, grittiness, or eye irritation.
  • Itching:
    Frequent itching or a burning sensation in and around the eyes.
  • Redness:
    Bloodshot or red eyes, often accompanied by discomfort.·
  • Excessive Tearing:
    Paradoxically, your eyes may produce more tears as a response to dryness, leading to watery eyes.
  • Blurry Vision:
    Vision may become temporarily blurred, particularly when reading or using digital screens.
  • Light Sensitivity:
    Increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.
  • Foreign Body Sensation:
    Feeling as though something is in your eye.
  • Eye Fatigue:
    Increased eye fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of reading, screen time, or other visually demanding tasks.

Ignoring dry eye symptoms can lead to worsening discomfort and potential complications. Chronic dry eye can damage the eye's surface and increase the risk of eye infections, scarring, and vision loss. Seeking professional guidance if you're experiencing any of these symptoms is crucial.


Dry Eye Diagnosis and Expert Care

When you choose Montgomery Village Eye Center for your dry eye care, you benefit from our expertise in comprehensive diagnosis. We understand that your unique health history and lifestyle can affect your dry eye differently, which is why we practice personalized care tailored to you. Our approach includes:

  • In-Depth Eye Exams

    During a comprehensive eye exam, we evaluate your eyelids, eye surface, and your complete health history and lifestyle to identify potential underlying causes of dry eyes.

  • Tear Assessment

    We conduct a detailed assessment of your tears, measuring their volume and quality. This assessment helps us identify any deficiencies in tear quantity or quality, crucial factors in dry eye diagnosis.

  • Tear Breakup Time

    Using advanced techniques like tear breakup time measurement, we identify specific areas of your eyes where tears may evaporate more rapidly. This information aids in tailoring your treatment plan.

  • Specialized Dry Eye Test: Schirmer Test

    This test involves placing blotting test paper strips on the lower eyelids to measure tear production over a specific time. It helps determine the volume of tears your eyes produce.

Patient Reviews
- Oct. 24, 2025
My family and I have been going to the Eye Center for years. I have been a patient of Dr Miller and... Dr Khan, they are great! The staff is very nice and professional. I appreciate the time and care the Eye Care Specialties Team give us, when selecting our eye ware. Lyons Family
- Aug. 12, 2025
Always a great experience. Dr. Gabriela and her team are great.
- Jun. 03, 2025
Great people! So helpful
- Nov. 25, 2024
My mother’s lens became loose and needed a quick repair. She is old and needed the help ASAP. Jami... e was super helpful and got it done in less than 5 minutes!
- Oct. 31, 2024
I started going here about 2 weeks ago and I've had a very good experience. It is very convenient fo... r me and everybody's been so nice. I got new glasses and we're figuring out which contact lenses are right for me now with trials as my eyes have gotten dry and I think we finally figured it out. Everyone has been professional and it's clean, nice, and it's been accommodating. Dr Samala Khan is very nice and patient. I recommend this place.
- Oct. 11, 2023
I am writing this too praise the care, kindness and professionalism I received today from Samala Kha... n, Stephanie, Izzy and Augusto! Absolutely the best experience ever at any medical appointment! I was so comfortable and relieved after having neglected my eyes for over eleven years! No need for that, just make an appointment and for sure you will be one hundred percent satisfied!
- Jun. 02, 2023
Staff was all very friendly and my appointment was quick. And a huge shout-out to STEPHANIE FIGUEROA... ! She helped me pick out my frames and was nothing short of perfection and professional. I will be HIGHLY recommending her and the rest of the staff!!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Great staff, great doctors! I have been a customer of Montgomery Village eye center for ages and eac... h time I go I leave happy and satisfied with the services my family has received. They feel like old friends and it’s always great to catch up!
- Dec. 12, 2022
First time patient and I had great experience on my visit. Staff was very knowledgeable and explaine... d everything in detail. Visit was for contacts fitting and annual exam.
- Nov. 01, 2022
This was absolutely one of the best eye clinics i've ever been too! I haven't been to an eye doctor ... in some 10 years. Not only did they make me feel welcome but they made me feel like family. From the kind receiptionist (who i didn't get her name sorry!) to the Doctor himself Adam Rubin and then my optician Jamie! Man oh man everyone was on their A GAME. Thanks so much for your help and kindness! Some goofy photos for your enjoyment!
- Oct. 23, 2022
I have seen many eye doctors in my life and never had the right prescriptions for my glasses. My rig... ht eye has different sight than my left. Dr Miller took her time checked my eyes and for the first time in my life I can see clearly. I am so glad to found this eye doctor. Last but not least, the workers from the front desk to the techs were very helpful and caring. It was my first time to come to this eye clinic I got lost and was late for my appointment after driving for 40 miles to get to their office. I was worried I will not be seen and will not have my eye exam. I called in a panic to ask them their location not only they guide me to their direction, I was able to see the doctor. As anyone can witness, it is rare to find people who are caring. These group of people are very unique. Thank you for being human.
- Jun. 01, 2022
This place is the best! I used to work right next to them before they changed locations but was neve... r seen as a patient. I got a really bad eye infection and was able to be seen the same day before a holiday weekend! the front office staff is extremely friendly and welcoming as well as Dr. Rubin! the doctor made me feel at ease as I was very frustrated and in pain. Love this office and will be coming back for any of my eye needs! Also looks like they have a great selection of frames here. definitely will be recommending to my family and friends!
- Apr. 29, 2022
Upon retirement my husband and I decided to try a new eye care facility closer to our current locati... on. After trying 3 other doctors, we are driving 2 hours, one way, to be able to get the fantastic service from Dr. Rubin and Dr. Miller. It's more than worth it.
- Feb. 10, 2021
Dr Miller is so wonderful and the staff there are absolute stars. Everyone is professional and super... friendly. I highly recommend.
- Aug. 19, 2020
Visited this eye Doctor for the Second year now, this place is full of profesional people that knows... everything about glasses, my whole family had short vision problems since ever, kids and hubby used regular and contacts lenses for many years, dr. Rubin is so detailed and patience with all of us, so profesional and gentle in the eyes checking process, plus friendly with kids. Mr. Rick is the most great adviser on which glasses are better on price, covered by your insurance, the ones on sale, and the ones that makes you look like a Hollywood Star, takes detailed mesures of your face, the wide the chin the eye distance and make your glasses fit perfect in your face, all my family and some friends I recommended are so happy with this place, also they have the most updated eye glasses collection of your choice, I recommend this eye doctor 100% for you to have the best experience on getting your vision working perfect. SPANISH Visité a este oftalmólogo por segundo año ahora, este lugar está lleno de gente profesional que sabe todo sobre anteojos, toda mi familia ha tenido problemas de visión corta desde siempre, los niños y mi esposo usaron lentes regulares y de contacto durante muchos años, el Dr. Rubin es tan detallista y paciente con todos nosotros, tan profesional y amable en el proceso de verificación de ojos, además de amigable con los niños. El Sr. Rick es el mejor asesor sobre qué anteojos son mejores en precio, cubiertos por su seguro, los que están en oferta y los que lo hacen parecer una estrella de Hollywood, toma medidas detalladas de su rostro, el ancho de la barbilla el distancia de los ojos y haz que tus anteojos se ajusten perfectamente a tu cara, toda mi familia y algunos amigos que recomendé están muy contentos con este lugar, además tienen la colección de anteojos más actualizada de tu elección, recomiendo este oculista 100% tenga la mejor experiencia para lograr que su visión funcione a la perfección.
- Feb. 19, 2020
Been going to Montgomery County Eye Care for a few years and Dr. Rubin & the staff have been great. ... Dr. Rubin listens to your concerns and advises accordingly. Would definitely recommend Montgomery County Eye Care to everyone.
- Jan. 22, 2020
I've been here with my brothers since I was a kid. They moved and I couldnt find them anymore. After... all these years I finally found them! The experience is still great like before (mind you...this is like 11 years later) and the staff are amazing and sweet. Eager to help you with your situation! I love that they give you temporary lenses til your contacts arrive. I love it! Literally the best place ever and worth every penny 👍
- Mar. 13, 2019
Great staff, doctor was very thorough during examination. I will never go anywhere else!
- Nov. 30, 2018
I didnt have an appointment and thought I would stop in to inquire about my warrenty. Nicole helped ... me replace my frame under warrenty in minutes! Nice people and quick service.
- May. 18, 2018
This is one of the best in montgomery village!!very friendly!

View All 65 Reviews

Dry Eyes in Gaithersburg

Our optometry practice in Gaithersburg

Photograph of Gabriela Miller
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

man putting eye drops in eyes

Consult Our Dry Eye Experts

At Montgomery Village Eye Center, our experienced eye care specialists are ready to help you find relief from dry eye symptoms. We understand these symptoms' impact on your daily life and are committed to improving your eye health and comfort.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your dry eye symptoms. Let's work together to find the most suitable treatment and enhance your quality of life.

(301) 869-4070