That gritty, scratchy, and just plain uncomfortable feeling in your eyes can be more than a little distracting. You might find yourself blinking more often or reaching for eye drops just to get through the day, but a comprehensive eye exam can help pinpoint the issue. If this sounds familiar, you’ve likely wondered what’s really going on with your vision.
Yes, dry eyes can absolutely affect how clearly you see. When your eyes are dealing with chronic dry eye, they lack the proper moisture, which can disrupt the smooth surface of your eye and lead to blurry or fluctuating vision.
What Is Dry Eye & Why Does It Happen?
Your eyes need a steady layer of tears to stay healthy, comfortable, and to see clearly. Dry eye happens when your tears aren’t quite up to the job. It’s a common and often chronic issue that can pop up for a couple of main reasons.
Your Tear Film Is a Team Effort
Think of your tears as having 3 layers: oil, water, and mucus. If any layer is out of balance, your tears can’t provide the right kind of moisture. This can lead to that dry, uncomfortable feeling.
Not Enough Tears
Sometimes, your eyes just don’t produce enough of the watery part of your tears. This can be related to age, certain health conditions, or even some medications you might take. Without enough water, your eyes can feel dry and irritated.
Tears That Evaporate Too Fast
Other times, you might make enough tears, but they don’t stick around long enough to do their job. This is often because the oily layer of the tear film isn’t working right. This causes your tears to dry up too quickly, but modern treatments like OptiLight by Lumenis can help manage this by reducing inflammation.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye usually affects both eyes and can feel different from person to person. You might notice a few of these common signs throughout your day:
- A stinging, scratchy, or burning feeling
- The sense that something is in your eye
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Redness or irritation
- Watery eyes (it’s your body’s response to the irritation)
- Eye fatigue
The Link Between Dry Eye & Blurry Vision
A healthy tear film creates a smooth, clear surface for light to enter your eye, which is a key part of crisp vision. When the surface is unstable due to dryness, your vision can become a little fuzzy. It’s like trying to look through a dirty or uneven window.
What Are the Visual Symptoms of Dry Eye?
The most common visual symptom is blurry vision that comes and goes, especially when you’re reading or using a computer, a classic symptom of computer vision syndrome. You might find that blinking helps clear it up for a moment. This happens because blinking temporarily redistributes the tear film over your eye.
Trouble with Night Driving
Dryness can make it more difficult to see clearly at night. You may notice extra glare or halos around headlights and streetlights. This can make driving after dark a challenge, and it’s an important concern to bring up during your next eye exam.
Sensitivity to Light
If your eyes feel extra sensitive to bright sunlight or indoor lights, it could be a sign of dry eye. The irritation on the surface of your eye can make bright environments feel overwhelming. You might find yourself squinting or reaching for sunglasses more often.
Lifestyle Factors & Things That Make Dryness More Likely
Your daily habits and environment play a big role in how your eyes feel. Certain situations can make you more likely to experience dryness, including:
- Screen time: You tend to blink less when you’re focused on a computer, phone, or tablet, which can cause dry eyes.
- Environment: Air conditioning, fans, wind, or dry climates can all cause tears to evaporate faster than usual.
- Contact lenses: Wearing contacts can sometimes contribute to eye dryness for some people.
- Age and hormones: Tear production often decreases as we get older, and hormonal changes can also have an effect on your tear quality.
Simple Tips & Tricks for Relief
You can make small changes to your routine to help keep your eyes more comfortable. These simple steps can offer some relief from everyday dryness and help you get back to your day.
Easy At-Home Adjustments
- Position your screen: Place your computer screen just below eye level. This helps you avoid opening your eyes too wide, which can slow down tear evaporation.
- Add moisture to the air: Use a humidifier to add some moisture back into dry indoor air.
- Protect your eyes: Wear UV-blocking wraparound sunglasses to block wind and dry air when you’re outside.
- Stay hydrated: Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help your body stay hydrated.
About Artificial Tears & Eye Drops
Over-the-counter eye drops, or artificial tears, can supplement your natural tear production. They can help lubricate your eyes and provide temporary relief from symptoms. There are many different types, so finding one that works for you is helpful. You can even find some of our recommended dry eye products online.
When to Chat with an Eye Doctor in Sacramento
If simple changes at home aren’t enough and your symptoms are affecting your daily activities, like reading, working on a computer, or driving, it may be time for a conversation. An eye doctor in Sacramento can work with you to find out what’s causing your discomfort and explore personalized options.
Persistent redness, irritation, or pain are good reasons to schedule a visit, and in some cases, may require emergency eye care. A thorough eye exam can help identify the cause of your dry eyes. We can look at your tear film and the glands that line your eyelids to get a clearer picture.
How Treatment Can Help Your Vision
For many people, addressing the root cause of their dry eye can lead to clearer, more stable vision. When your tear film is healthy and balanced, the surface of your eye is smoother, which helps you see better. With consistent care, it’s possible to find long-term comfort and protect your eye health. Your eyes are unique, so your vision care should be personalized. Here at Capitol Optometry, our friendly team is passionate about giving you a comfortable and customized eye care experience. If you’re ready to find relief from dry, irritated eyes, schedule a visit with us today.
