You may think dry eye simply means your eyes feel, well, dry. But the feeling can be more complex and show up in several different ways. It’s a common issue that can make daily tasks feel like a chore, but the team at Central Eyes Optometry can help.
The feeling of dry eyes can range from a gritty, scratchy sensation to stinging, burning, or even surprisingly watery eyes. When these symptoms get out of hand, we’re here to help you find a comfortable solution and get back to clear, easy vision.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye
The term “dry eye” covers a wide range of feelings. If your eyes feel off and you can’t quite put your finger on why, it might be a lack of proper moisture. You could be dealing with dry eye disease if you notice any of the following:
- A scratchy or gritty feeling like sand is in your eye
- Stinging or burning sensations
- Redness or irritation
- Strings of mucus in or around your eyes
- Blurred vision
- Increased light sensitivity
It sounds strange, but very watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye. This occurs when your eyes produce low-quality tears that evaporate too quickly to provide any hydration. Your body tries to fix the problem by making more tears, but these emergency tears often lack the balanced composition needed and still evaporate too fast.
The Difference Between Dry Eyes and Tired Eyes
Fatigue can make your eyes feel tired, heavy, and hard to keep open. Dry eye often includes those feelings, but adds irritation and scratchiness to the mix. While tired eyes usually feel better after some rest, dry eye symptoms can stick around all day.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye occurs when your tears can’t provide enough lubrication for your eyes. This imbalance can happen for a few different reasons, from your environment and daily habits to natural changes in your body.
Age and Hormonal Shifts
As you get older, your body’s tear production tends to slow down. Hormonal changes, which are common with age, can also affect the quantity and quality of your tears. This can cause drier, more irritated eyes.
Your Environment and Daily Habits
The environment you spend most of your day in can significantly affect your eyes. This includes exposure to smoke, wind, or very dry climates. While many dry eye causes are out of your direct control, there are some changes you can make to help address your symptoms. For example, spending a long time in front of a computer or phone screen can be a factor, as you tend to blink less often, which prevents your tears from spreading evenly.
Certain Health Conditions and Medications
Some medical conditions are linked to dry eye symptoms. In addition, certain common medicines, like allergy medications, decongestants, and others, can reduce your tear production as a side effect, leaving your eyes feeling less comfortable.
Can Something Else Feel Like Dry Eye?
Sometimes, what feels like dry eye might be related to another condition. It’s helpful to notice the subtle differences, as that can point you toward the right kind of relief.
Seasonal Allergies vs. Dry Eye
Seasonal allergies often come with intense itching and puffiness, alongside the watery, red eyes that can feel like dry eye. The main difference is that allergy symptoms usually flare up around specific triggers like pollen, while dry eye discomfort can be more constant.
Digital Eye Strain
Staring at screens for hours can cause digital eye strain, which leads to tired, sore, and dry-feeling eyes. Taking regular breaks to look away from your screen can often help reduce these symptoms and give your eyes a much-needed rest.
Simple Ways to Find Relief at Home
While professional treatment can provide lasting solutions, you can make small adjustments to your daily routine to help soothe mild dry eyes. These simple habits include:
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps your whole body, including your eyes, stay properly hydrated.
- Remember to Blink: When you focus on a task like reading or computer work, make a conscious effort to blink more often. This spreads your tears and moistens your eyes.
- Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air in your home or office, especially during dry months, can help slow the evaporation of your tears.
- Wear Protective Eyewear: Wrap-around sunglasses can help shield your eyes from drying wind and sun when you’re outside.
When to See an Optometrist
If you’ve tried simple home remedies and your eyes still feel uncomfortable, it may be time to get a professional opinion. Persistent symptoms can make your whole day a struggle, and you don’t have to just live with them.
A thorough eye exam can help determine the source of your discomfort. An optometrist can look at your tear quality, quantity, and overall eye health to get a clear picture of what’s going on and a path toward relief.
Find Your Dry Eye Solution
You don’t have to put up with constant eye irritation. Based on your specific needs, our team at Central Eyes Optometry can recommend different strategies to help your eyes feel better. From specialized eye drops to in-office treatments, we’ve helped many people regain comfortable vision. Schedule an appointment today to find the solution that works for you.
