The symptoms of dry eye can range from mild to very painful. How do you know if you’re suffering from this common condition? And what can you do about it?
The best way to get a diagnosis of dry eye – or rule it out with certainty– is with an eye exam. Contact Lakeline Vision Source to book an eye exam in Cedar Park, Texas . Our optometrists know what to look for when inspecting for dryeye syndrome and develop a personalized treatment plan to comfort your sore eyes.
Common signs of dry eye
Typically, these symptoms affect both eyes and can be a good indicator that you are indeed suffering from dry eye syndrome:
- Stinging or burning in your eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Stringy mucus inside or around your eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Eye redness
- A sensation that something is stuck in your eyes
- Wearing contact lenses is uncomfortable
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye fatigue
Link between watery eyes and dry eyes
Many people mistakenly think that because their eyes are watering excessively, they can’t possibly have dry eye syndrome. Not true! As our Cedar Park, Texas , eye doctor explains, dry eyes can lead to reflex tearing. This condition occurs because the insufficient moisture on your eye surface irritates your eye, and your body then floods the area with tears to compensate for the dryness. However, because these tears are composed mainly of water – without the lubricating lipids that are necessary for healthy tears – they evaporate rapidly and can’t properly disperse moisture over your eye’s surface.
Risk factors for dry eye
Along with the above symptoms, if you have any of the usual risk factors for dry eye – then the likelihood of experiencing this irritating vision condition is even higher. The most common risk factors include:
- Over age 50, because tear production tends to decreased as you age
- Being female, especially if hormonal changes are occurring due to pregnancy, using birth control pills, or menopause
- Not eating enough vitamin A, which you can find in carrots, broccoli, and liver
- Not eating enough omega-3 fatty acids, found mainly in walnuts, fish, and vegetable oils
- Wearing contact lenses
At-home fixes for dry eyes
There are several ways to help alleviate your irritating symptoms of dry eye, in addition to visiting our eye care center for dry eye treatment. The following tips can be very effective:
- If your home or office is heated or air-conditioned, the lack of moisture in the air may be your problem. Use a humidifier, or place plants and dishes of water around the room. Keeping a bottle of eye mist handy to spray when your eyes feel dry may also help.
- When outdoors, wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from the wind, dust, and sun’s rays – all elements that contribute to dry eye pain.
- Take care to remove all eye makeup from your lids and lashes nightly, using quality antiseptic wipes that work gently.
- Change your contact lenses regularly to prevent the buildup of irritating protein deposits. Even better, consider wearing daily disposable lenses instead, or ask about contacts for dry eyes.
Suffering from dry eye? We can help restore moisture to soothe your sore eyes! Contact our Cedar Park optometry practice to book a personalized dry eye exam.
At Lakeline Vision Source, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 512-918-3937 or book an appointment online to see one of our Cedar Park eye doctors.
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