There comes a time when nearly everyone experiences that uncomfortable and gritty feeling when your eyes become too dry. However, for some people, dry eye is more than a short-lived annoyance when the dry eye symptoms continue; it is an issue that often might be due to dry eye syndrome. This blog post empowers you with information about dry eye symptoms and causes, guiding you to discuss with your eye doctor and strongly encouraging you to seek the necessary medical help. Taking proactive steps can effectively manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Eye?
Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. Tears provide lubrication and protection from foreign particles and eye infections. Not only can crying tears of joy bring us happiness, but those same happy tears can keep the surfaces of our eyes clear and smooth.
If you are diagnosed with dry eyes, you don’t produce enough tears, or they are of poor quality. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the lack of tears can lead to symptoms such as:
- You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
- Blurred vision, especially when reading.
- There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
- There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
- Your eyes are red or irritated. Redness and irritation are more likely when you are in the wind or near cigarette smoke.
- It is painful to wear contact lenses.
- You have lots of tears in your eyes.
Having a lot of tears in your eyes with dry eyes might sound odd. However, your eyes get more tears when irritated by dry eyes. This is a reflex response of the eyes to the irritation, but these tears are not the same as the healthy tears that keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable.
What Are The Causes of Dry Eye?
- Aging: People tend to produce fewer tears as they get older. Dry Eye affects both men and women. However, it is more common in women, especially those who have gone through menopause.
- Environmental Conditions: Being in smoke, wind, or an arid climate. Also, looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading, and other activities reduce blinking.
- Medications: Some medications, such as blood pressure medications, antihistamines, heartburn medicines, sleeping pills, anxiety, and anti-depressants, can cause dry eye. Tell your eye doctor all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you take.
- Medical Conditions: Certain diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and lupus
We Are Here To Help Your Dry Eye Symptoms
There is no reason anyone has to live with the discomfort of dry eyes. Our team of eye doctors is here to provide comprehensive support and guidance. We can perform a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose your symptoms correctly. Once we determine your underlying problem and the cause of your dry eye, we will find the best treatment to meet your unique needs. Treatment will help prevent the symptoms of dry eyes in the future. Don’t delay your eye health any longer!
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us today. We are here to help you every step of the way. Your eye health is essential, and we are here to help.
We Are Looking Forward To Seeing You At Our Practice!
