With a name like dry eye, it would seem like you only have dry eyes. But there’s a lot more to dry eye than having dry eyes.
The disease can actually be tough to deal with and can become a big problem if left untreated. Keep reading for 5 signs that you may have dry eye!
1. Itchy Eyes
One of the most recognizable symptoms of dry eye is the persistent itchiness that is brought on by it. Rubbing your eyes may provide fleeting relief, but doing so can actually damage your eyes.
You should use eye drops to cope with symptoms of dry eye until you get the problem fully under control.
2. Red Eyes
Dry eye causes major irritation in the eyes which causes blood vessels to swell. This is very noticeable in the sclera (white tissue) of the eye.
Red, tired eyes are unattractive and distracting, and may negatively affect your confidence. Having red eyes may also be painful to deal with.
3. Light Sensitivity
You may notice that going outside becomes more difficult. You may also find that bright lights produce more glare than normal.
This is a common sign of issues with photophobia or light sensitivity.
4. Watery Eyes
Although it may sound like a contradiction, chronic dry eye can make your eyes watery. This is because your eyes may begin to overproduce tears to compensate for how dry they are.
5. Blurry Vision
If you are suffering from dry eyes, you may experience times that your vision is blurry. Blurry vision is frustrating to deal with but it also causes headaches and fatigue. This is because your brain is attempting to deal with poor eyesight.
Treating Dry Eye
To treat dry eye can take some trial and error. It means you need to be proactive if you notice that your eyes are dry. This may mean making small lifestyle changes. These could include drinking more water, staying away from heaters, or buying a humidifier.
You also need to seek treatment if your dry eye doesn’t improve. For many people, it takes a combination of treatments to treat the root cause of dry eye.
Treatments for your dry eye could include punctal plugs, meibomian gland expression, and tear inserts.
Punctal plugs work by blocking off the tear ducts inside the eyes. This slows the tear drainage process, forcing them to remain on the surface of the eye for a longer period of time.
Meibomian gland expression is a therapeutic procedure that unblocks the oil-producing glands inside your eyelids. This oil is vital, as it should coat every tear produced and prevent them from evaporating.
Tear inserts are placed in your eyes and slowly dissolve over time. As they dissolve, they release a lubricating solution, providing long-lasting dry eye relief.
The correct treatment for you depends on what the cause of your dry eye is. The only way to know is to see your eye doctor for help treating your dry eye.
Ready to stop living with the symptoms of dry eye syndrome? Schedule a dry eye appointment at Colorado Eye Consultants in Littleton, CO now!
