Have you been experiencing a burning, gritty, or sticky sensation? Or have your eyes been unusually red or watery? You may have dry eye syndrome that affects more than eighteen million American’s regardless of their age, lifestyle, or occupation. But you don’t have to live with it.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
In a healthy eye, tiny glands inside your eyelids called Meibomian glands produce a complex oil that mixes with your natural tears. The presence of this oil stabilizes the tear film that moistens and lubricates your eye, washes away dust and debris, fights bacterial infection, and produces all-day comfort that allows you to see as clearly as possible.
If these glands aren’t functioning properly, or if other factors are at play, the tear film becomes unstable, fails to do its job, or may evaporate more quickly than normal. The result is the dry, burning, or gritty sensations, and less than optimal vision.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
One very common symptom of dry eye syndrome is a stinging or burning sensation in the eye. This may be extremely uncomfortable. Eye drops can be used to help alleviate this symptom, but this is not a sustainable solution, as eye drops can make the condition worse over time.
Another common symptom of dry eyes is eye redness, which is often misdiagnosed as another condition, such as conjunctivitis or insomnia.
If you wear contact lenses, you may have difficulty wearing them. There may be a sensation of discomfort or irritation that prohibits you from wearing them for long periods of time. If, after applying eye drops, your eyes still feel irritated wearing contact lenses, dry eyes may be the cause.
You may feel sensitivity to light when being outdoors or when watching television or using the computer, this can be caused by your eyes not having enough lubricant to properly function. Being in bright rooms or outdoors may exacerbate this condition and you may feel more comfortable being in dark rooms with little light.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor?
If you have the symptoms listed above, it’s worth it to see a doctor to check for dry eye syndrome. Contact our office to book your appointment now.