What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a chronic condition that occurs when a person doesn’t have enough quality tears to adequately moisturize and nourish the eyes resulting from inadequate production or rapid evaporation. Tears are critical for eye health and clear vision, and when the quantity or quality of the tears is compromised, the eyes feel dry and irritated. The condition progressively worsens, and the most advanced cases can lead to inflammation and possibly scarring on the surface of the eye.
Common Causes of Dry Eye Include:
- Age: As we mature, glands in the eyelids produce less oil. Oil keeps tears from evaporating off the eye. Decreased oil production allows tears to evaporate too quickly, leaving the eye dry. The lacrimal gland also produces less tears, particularly in women.
- Systemic diseases including Diabetes, Arthritis, Sjogren’s, and Collagen Vascular Diseases.
- Hormonal changes, especially after menopause.
- Prescription medications as well as over the counter medications: these include some high blood pressure medications, antihistamines, diuretics, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives and pain medications.
The following can exacerbate Dry Eye:
- Hot, dry, or windy conditions: High altitude, heat and air conditioning
- Eye irritants such as cigarette smoke, chemical fumes
- Contact Lenses
- Reading, computer work, or watching TV
- Some types of eye surgery can also exacerbate dry eye
How Do I Know If I Have Dry Eye?
If your eyes regularly feel like they are burning or stinging, you blink often or you often reach for artificial tears for relief, you could have dry eye. Another indication that you might have dry eye is that you have difficulty wearing contact lenses, reading or looking at a computer screen for extended periods of time. These symptoms of dry eye tend to get worse in the evenings. Some patients with dry eye have no symptoms, particularly contact lens wearers.
Other symptoms include:
- Long-term contact lens wear can reduce corneal sensation
- Foreign body sensation: the feeling there is sand in your eye
- Blurring of vision after periods of reading, computer work, or watching TV
- Eyes that itch, burn, or ache
- Reflex tearing; excessive tearing
- Red, irritated eyes
- Mucus discharge
Can Dry Eye Come And Go?
Dry eye is an ongoing condition. However, in the early stages of the disease, the symptoms may be noticeable only in certain conditions. For example, the eyes may feel dry and irritated at the end of a long day, in windy or dry climates or after wearing contact lenses. In some people, the symptoms are more apparent when they are dehydrated. Usually the symptoms become more consistent in nature.
Can Dry Eyes Affect Vision?
Yes, dry eye can have noticeable effects on vision. The most common visual effect is blurry vision, which may fluctuate throughout the day. Although most people with dry eye complain about the uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms of the disease, studies have shown that dry eye can reduce visual acuity. This is because the surface of the eye is meant to be covered in a smooth, even layer of tears in order to see clearly. When something disrupts the even layer of tears, vision can falter.
We Can help!
Although dry eye may not be completely curable, depending on its root cause and severity, the symptoms can be properly managed with the help of an eye expert.