8 Signs You May Have Dry Eye Syndrome

February 14th, 2020

Living with dry eye syndrome is an all too familiar part of life for many Americans. Around 5 million Americans over 50 have the disease, and it can affect younger people as well.

As prevalent as it is, dry eyes can be treated effectively. The first step is to receive a diagnosis during an appointment at Laser Eye Center.

For an accurate diagnosis, you will undergo several tests. You will also be asked if you have been experiencing any of the following symptoms. Keep reading for 8 signs that you may have dry eye syndrome!

1. Blurry Vision

Frequent vision changes are indicative of many vision problems, including chronic dry eye. Contact your eye doctor if you experience any changes to your eyesight. With dry eye syndrome, you may notice that your vision is more blurry than normal.

2. Watery Eyes

Although it’s called dry eye, one common sign of the condition is watery eyes. This can happen if your eyes are trying to compensate for a lack of hydration. Overproduction of tears may also lead to blurry vision.

3. Fatigue

Dry eye can take a toll on you, especially on your eyes. You may find it difficult to concentrate and keep your eyes open.

4. Mucus

You may experience a stringy discharge of mucus appearing around your eyes if you have dry eyes.

5. Low Light

Vision loss from dry eye may be especially noticeable in low light situations. This is usually most obvious during nighttime driving.

6. Sensitivity

Glare may also be a common phenomenon from dry eye, as your eyes become more and more sensitive. You may also become more sensitive to light with dry eye.

7. Redness

With dry eye, your eyes will be more irritated. This causes the blood vessels in your eyes to expand. As a result, your eyes may look more bloodshot or red.

8. Itchiness

Itchiness from dry eye may be overwhelming and it can be tempting to rub your eyes for temporary relief. Rubbing your eyes will not only do nothing in the long run but may cause more damage.

If your dry, itchy eyes are bothering you, use artificial tears instead. Whatever you do, do not rub your eyes!

Dry Eye Causes

There are many things that can cause dry eye. This can include lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition.

Two habits to stop if you have symptoms of dry eye are smoking and spending too much time in front of screens. Smoking can irritate your eyes.

Spending too much time in front of screens can cause you to not blink enough. Not blinking enough is an issue because blinking is how tears move over the surface of the eye.

Poor dietary choices and lack of hydration can also cause symptoms of dry eye.

Your environment can also make a difference if you suffer from dry eye syndrome. Avoid dry environments, windy places, and being outside with dust, sand, or particles. These can all contribute to dry eye symptoms and make them worse.

Aging can also play a role in dry eye, as our bodies begin to produce fewer tears.

Dry Eye Treatment

Treating dry eye may be as easy as changing your habits and your environment. If there is something wrong with how your eyes operate, then some medical help may be necessary.

It often takes a few different treatments or a combination to find the right treatment. You may start with a prescription for tear stimulating eye drops. Another option is punctal plugs.

These plugs are inserted into the tear ducts to help tears stay in your eyes longer. Your eye doctor may recommend gland expression therapy.

Gland expression therapy involves clearing the oil-producing glands of the eyelids. This increases the quality of the tears that you produce. Which treatment options you try depends on the root cause of your dry eye symptoms and severity of symptoms.

Tired of living with the symptoms of chronic dry eye syndrome? We can help! Schedule an appointment to discuss your dry eye options at the Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL now!