That gritty, sandy feeling in your eyes can be more than just a passing annoyance. If you find yourself constantly reaching for eye drops or blinking to clear your vision, you might be experiencing dry eye disease—an irritating and uncomfortable condition that affects millions of people.
The sensations of dry eye disease often include a stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling, but they can also show up in surprising ways, including watery eyes or blurry vision. Fortunately, understanding the symptoms is the first step toward finding comfort.
The Common Sensations of Dry Eye Disease
You may notice symptoms in one or both of your eyes. The discomfort can range from mild to more bothersome. People often experience multiple experience symptoms at once.
A Stinging, Burning, or Scratchy Feeling
These are some of the most frequently reported signs of dry eye disease. You may feel like:
- There is sand or grit in your eye
- You have a foreign body sensation in your eye
- Your eyes feel tired or heavy
- You have noticeable redness or irritation
Surprising Signs of Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease isn’t always about your eyes feeling dry. Some other common symptoms include:
- Watery eyes—this is your body’s response to the irritation
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Blurry vision, especially after long tasks like reading
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Sensitivity to light
- Increased discomfort when you wear your contact lenses
Why Your Eyes Feel Dry & Irritated
Your eyes rely on a steady layer of tears to stay healthy and comfortable. Dry eye disease happens when there’s a problem with the tear film. This usually happens for one of two reasons.
You Don’t Make Enough Tears
Sometimes, the glands in and around your eyes just don’t produce enough fluid. This is known as aqueous deficient dry eye. It can be related to age, certain health conditions, or even some medications you might take.
Your Tears Evaporate Too Quickly
Your tears are a complex mix of water, oil, and mucus that work together. The oil layer prevents your tears from evaporating too quickly. If the tiny oil glands along your eyelids get clogged—a common condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction—you won’t have enough oil in your tears to maintain proper tear function.
Factors That Increase Your Risk for Dry Eyes
Certain factors can make you more likely to experience the symptoms of dry eye disease. Some of these are a natural part of life, while others relate to your environment and daily habits.
What Age Do Dry Eyes Start?
Tear production often decreases as part of the natural aging process. Many people start to notice symptoms after age 50. Hormonal changes, particularly for women during pregnancy or menopause, can also play a role in developing dry eyes.
Daily Habits & Environment
Your lifestyle and surroundings can contribute to dry eye symptoms. You may be at a higher risk if you:
- Wear contact lenses
- Spend long hours looking at a computer or phone screen
- Live in a windy, smoky, or dry climate
- Have a diet low in vitamin A or omega-3 fatty acids
How Dry Eye Disease Affects Your Vision & Life
When left unmanaged, dry eye disease can do more than just cause discomfort. It can also interfere with your daily activities, and may even lead to other eye health issues.
What Are the Red Flags for Dry Eyes?
Prolonged symptoms like constant redness, eye pain, and worsening blurry vision are signs that you should pay attention to. These symptoms can make activities like reading, working on a computer, or driving difficult and less enjoyable.
Damage to Your Eye’s Surface
Your tear film acts as a protective barrier for the front of your eye. Without this layer, the surface of your eye—the cornea—is more exposed. This can lead to inflammation or even minor scratches, which can increase the risk of serious complications if left untreated.
A Higher Risk for Eye Infections
Tears do more than just lubricate—they help wash away dust, debris, and germs. Inadequate tears can leave your eyes more vulnerable to infection. A healthy tear film is an important part of your body’s first line of defense.
Simple Steps for At-Home Relief
While a long-term solution may require professional care, you can make small adjustments to your daily routine to soothe your eyes and reduce symptoms in the short-term.
Adjust Your Environment
Your surroundings have a big impact on your eyes. To create a more eye-friendly space, you can:
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air inside your home or office.
- Avoid having fans or air conditioners blow directly into your face.
- Try to stay away from smoky environments.
Give Your Eyes a Break
Focusing on tasks for long periods can strain your eyes and reduce your blink rate. To help with this, you can:
- Position your computer screen just below eye level to reduce tear evaporation.
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Remember to blink completely and often, especially during tasks that require a lot of focus.
When to See a Dry Eye Doctor in Surprise
While home remedies can provide temporary relief, persistent symptoms often need a professional evaluation. This helps to find the root cause of the problem. From there, you can find an effective solution.
Will Dry Eye Disease Fix Itself?
Dry eye disease is often a chronic condition that doesn’t simply go away on its own. While your symptoms may come and go, the underlying issue usually needs a consistent management plan to keep your eyes comfortable.
How a Professional Can Help You Find Relief
As your dry eye optometrists in Surprise, we can perform specific tests to figure out the reason for your symptoms. We can determine if you’re not producing enough tears or if your tears are of poor quality. Based on the causes of your condition, we can then recommend a personalized treatment plan that may include eye drops, in-office procedures, or other approaches to help you feel better.
At West Valley Dry Eye, our goal is to help you find lasting relief. You don’t have to live with the constant discomfort of dry eye disease. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable eyes.