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Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center

There comes a time when nearly everyone experiences that uncomfortable and gritty feeling when your eyes become too dry. However, for some people, dry eye is more than a short-lived annoyance when the dry eye symptoms continue and are an issue that often might be due to dry eye syndrome. Here is empowering information about dry eye symptoms and causes to discuss with your eye doctor.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Eye? 

Our eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. The tears provide lubrication as well as protection from foreign particles and eye infections. Not only can crying tears of joy bring us happiness, but those same happy tears can keep the surfaces of our eyes both clear and smooth. 

If you are diagnosed with dry eyes, you don’t produce enough tears, or they are of poor quality. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the lack of tears can lead to symptoms such as:

• You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
• Blurred vision, especially when reading
• There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
• There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
• Your eyes are red or irritated. Redness and irritation are more likely when you are in the wind or near cigarette smoke.
• It is painful to wear contact lenses.
• You have lots of tears in your eyes.

Having a lot of tears in your eyes with dry eyes might sound odd. However, your eyes get more tears when irritated by dry eyes.

What Are The Causes of Dry Eye? 

• Aging: People tend to produce fewer tears as they get older. Dry Eye affects both men and women. However, it is more common in women, especially those who have gone through menopause.
• Environmental Conditions: Being in smoke, wind, or an arid climate. Also, looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading, and other activities reduce blinking.
• Medications: Some medications, such as blood pressure medications, antihistamines, heartburn medicines, sleeping pills, anxiety, and anti-depressants, can cause dry eye. Tell your eye doctor all the prescription and non-prescription drugs you take.
• Medical Conditions: Certain diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, and lupus

We Are Here To Help Your Dry Eye Symptoms

There is no reason that anyone has to live with the discomfort of dry eyes. Your team of eye doctors can perform a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose your symptoms correctly. Once your underlying problem is determined and the cause of your dry eye, your eye doctor will find the best treatment to meet your unique needs. Treatment will help prevent the symptoms of dry eyes in the future. Don’t delay your eye health any longer! Click the link below to request your appointment or refer us to a friend suffering from dry eye.

We Are Looking Forward To Seeing You At Our Practice!

References: American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association. This blog provides information and discussion about eye health and related subjects. The content provided within this blog and any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered medical advice. If the reader or any person has a medical concern, they should consult with an appropriately licensed physician