Common Dry Eye Symptoms, Their Causes & Prevention

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome is when the eye is not adequately lubricated, often due to various factors. A few factors can contribute to dry eye syndrome, including age, smoking, and prolonged use of electronic devices. Also, prolonged use of contact lenses or prolonged exposure to dry environments can affect tear production.

Tears comprise an inner layer of mucus that helps distribute tears evenly across the eye, an oily layer that provides lubrication, and an outer layer of lipids that prevent tears from evaporating.

Symptoms of dry eye syndrome can include itchy, scratchy eyes. Your eye doctor can diagnose dry eye syndrome during a regular eye exam. There are medications and treatments available for dry eye syndrome.

The doctor may also recommend dry eye therapy near you to help clear the blocked oil glands. Surgery can also correct loose lower eyelids, allowing tears to stay on the eye more easily. This procedure is not common, but it is an option for dry eye patients.

What Are The Dry Eye Symptoms?

Dry eye symptoms vary, and some people with dry eyes have no noticeable symptoms at all. If you think that your eyes might be suffering from this condition, it is recommended to visit a dry eye clinic in Calgary, but here are some symptoms to pay attention to:

• Stinging, burning, and gritty sensation

Dry eyes can cause you to feel like your eyes are burning or stinging. This can be annoying and uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous. You may also experience a gritty sensation in the eyelids or the surface of your eyeball (the cornea). This feeling may make it hard for you to see clearly or cause double vision when reading text on a computer screen or watching TV.

• Red eyes with a scratchy feeling

This is called a foreign body sensation if you have red, irritated eyes and a scratchy feeling. It can be caused by dry eye or an infection or allergy to something in your environment. If you’re experiencing this symptom, see your doctor right away so they can check for any underlying issues that might be causing it.

• Watery eyes

Tears are the body’s way of keeping your eyes moist. When you have dry eyes, you may produce more tears running from the eye than normal. This may be because the eyes are not producing enough of the oil needed for tears, which causes tears to evaporate too quickly. Tears that evaporate too quickly can lead to watery eyes when the eye tries to make up for them.

• Blurry vision and sensitivity to light

Blurry vision and sensitivity to light can be caused by several things, including allergies or other medical conditions.

• Pain in or around the eyes.

Pain in or around the eyes can be caused by inflammation, infection, injury, and other issues. If you have pain in your eyes and it doesn’t go away with rest or drops (which are good for other problems), see your Seton optometrist as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Dry Eyes

If you’re looking for ways to prevent dry eyes, you’ll need to keep several things in mind. Using a humidifier, wearing sunglasses with side shields, and limiting exposure to air conditioning can help. The same goes for avoiding excessive exposure to pollutants and secondhand smoke, which can cause the eye to become dry and irritated. Alcohol, which has a diuretic effect, and over-the-counter pain medication, can also contribute to dry eye symptoms.

A thorough eye exam can also determine whether you have autoimmune conditions, which can affect tear production. Your doctor can also suggest natural treatments for dry eyes. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe medications or surgery.

A dry eye is aggravated by cold, windy conditions or hot air. Avoid wearing contacts or eyewear during these conditions. Also, avoid wearing eye makeup, which can clog tear ducts. Before bed, remove any eye makeup and wash it with baby shampoo or warm water.

Take frequent breaks from your screen every 20 minutes or more. This will help spread out the moisture in your eyes, and it will help prevent dry eyes.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Premier Eye Care if you notice a feeling of dryness in the eyes, a strained vision that doesn’t improve with blinking or using artificial tears, or frequent blinking during the day.