Dry Eye Symptoms

Dry eye is an eye condition that happens when your tears cannot offer sufficient lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be insufficient and unstable because of varied reasons. For instance, dry eyes may be triggered if your tear glands do not produce adequate tears or if you produce poor-quality tears. This tear instability culminates in inflammation and damage to the eye’s surface.

Dry eyes are very uncomfortable. If you have a dry eye condition, your eyes might feel as if they are stinging or burning. The condition may worsen when on an airplane, in an air-conditioned room, or looking at a computer screen for some hours. Since untreated dry eye can trigger various complications, ranging from double vision to infections, it’s vital to seek treatment as early as possible. At Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA, our optometrists will diagnose and treat dry eye.

Causes of Dry Eye

The most common causes of dry eyes include:

• Aging: Anyone can have dry eye, but it tends to affect people mainly over the age of 50 due to a decline in tear production.
• Medication: Some medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics, can suppress tear production, causing chronic dry eye.
• Computer use: Staring at a computer often can affect tear production, resulting in a dry eye.
• Laser surgery: Laser vision correction surgery cuts some nerves in the cornea, causing the eyes to secrete fewer tears.
• Menopause: Hormones can play a role in dry eyes. Hormones stimulate the secretion of tears. An imbalance can inhibit tear production.
• Eye allergies: Eye allergies can also trigger dry eyes, making your eyes red, itchy, and watery.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

The most common symptoms of dry eye include:

• Eye pain
• Redness of the eyes
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty while reading or sitting at the computer for long periods
• Feeling like you have sand in the eye
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
• Eye sensitivity to wind or smoke
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• Double vision
• Difficulty keeping the eyes open

Visit Our Optometrist in West Des Moines, IA

If you are experiencing dry eye symptoms, we can help. At Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA, our optometrist can provide treatment for dry eye. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us today.