You might notice that your eyes feel scratchy or tired after a long day. This sensation is a common sign of dry eye, a condition that occurs when your tears don’t provide adequate lubrication.
Dry eye can affect your vision, often causing temporary blurry vision, light sensitivity, and eye fatigue.
What Is Dry Eye & How Does It Feel?
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears that do get produced are of poor quality. A healthy tear film consists of water, mucus, and oil. If one of these components is missing, your tear film doesn’t properly protect your eyes.
The oil layer, produced by the meibomian glands in your eyelids, is especially important for preventing evaporation. When this film is compromised, it can directly impact how well you see.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
If you have dry eye, you might experience a range of symptoms. Some of the most frequent include:
- A stinging or burning sensation in your eyes
- A scratchy or gritty feeling—like something is in your eye
- Periods of excessive tearing followed by periods of dryness
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
Factors That Contribute to Dry Eye
Several elements in your daily life and environment can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Understanding what causes your discomfort is the first step toward finding relief.
Environmental & Lifestyle Causes
Your surroundings and habits play a significant role in your experience of dry eye. Factors like exposure to wind, smoke, and dry climates can increase tear evaporation. Long hours in front of a computer or smartphone can also lead to less frequent blinking, which dries out the surface of your eyes.
Age & Health
The natural aging process can reduce tear production, making dry eye more common as you get older. Certain medical conditions and medications may also contribute to symptoms.
The Connection Between Dry Eyes & Your Vision
A smooth, healthy tear film doesn’t just keep your eyes comfortable—it’s also a critical part of how your eyes focus light. That’s why, when your tear film becomes unstable, you may notice that your sight isn’t as sharp as it used to be.
Blurry Vision & Dry Eye
One of the most common visual complaints associated with dry eye is blurry vision. This often comes and goes, especially during activities that require visual concentration like reading or using a computer.
Blurry vision that’s associated with dry eye usually clears up for a while when you blink. This is because blinking helps to spread your tear film over the surface of your eyes.
Other Visual Symptoms
In addition to blurriness, dry eye can cause sensitivity to light. You might also notice that your eyes feel tired or strained more quickly than they used to.
Vision Changes Tend to Be Reversible
For most people, the vision problems caused by dry eye are temporary. When the surface of the eye is properly lubricated, vision typically returns to normal. However, ignoring the underlying cause can lead to more serious complications or permanent damage, so addressing the root of the problem is key to improving these visual symptoms.
Simple Habits to Help Manage Dry Eye Symptoms
You can make small adjustments to your daily routine to help relieve discomfort and support healthier eyes.
Stay Hydrated & Eat a Balanced Diet
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps your body stay hydrated, which supports tear production. While a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids—like salmon and walnuts—supports overall eye health, some recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of fish oil supplements specifically for relieving dry eye.
Adjust Your Environment
Simple changes to your surroundings can provide relief. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home or office. When you’re outdoors, wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from wind and sun.
Remember to Blink
When you focus on a screen, you tend to blink less often without realizing it. Try to follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a break and encourages more frequent blinking.
Professional Options for Dry Eye Relief
If at-home care isn’t providing enough relief, it may be time to explore professional treatment options. As your eye doctor in Colorado Springs, we can work with you to find a plan that helps your eyes feel and see better.
Medicated Eye Drops & Ointments
Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide temporary relief, but sometimes they aren’t enough. Your eye doctor might suggest prescription eye drops designed to reduce inflammation or help your body produce more of its own tears. Gels and ointments can also offer longer-lasting lubrication, especially for overnight use.
In-Office Treatments
For more persistent dry eye, we can explore in-office procedures. Treatments like Lumecca IPL use light therapy to address meibomian gland dysfunction, improving the quality of your tears and keeping them on the surface of your eye for longer. We can discuss these options during your visit to determine if they are right for you.
If dry eye symptoms are affecting your vision or your quality of life, a professional evaluation can help you find answers. Persistent blurriness, discomfort, or redness are all good reasons to schedule an appointment with our team at Eye Care Center of Colorado Springs.
Together, we can create a plan to help you achieve comfortable vision.
