You might be familiar with the feeling: Your eyes are gritty, sandy, or tired after a long day. Sometimes they might burn or even water for no clear reason. Our team at River City Vision Center knows how hard it can be to focus on your work, enjoy a good book, or even drive at night when you’re dealing with these uncomfortable symptoms. It’s completely natural to wonder what might be causing your dry eye.
Many different factors in your life, including your environment, daily routines, overall health, and even your contact lenses can contribute to dry eye. Understanding what might be affecting your eyes is the first step toward finding relief and improving your comfort.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye
What It Can Feel Like
Dry eye often feels like more than just dryness. Though everyone is different, you may notice constant physical sensations that can be distracting and uncomfortable. These feelings can range from mild irritation to significant soreness, and can include:
- A gritty or burning feeling
- Red or irritated eyes
- Feeling like something is in your eye
How It Affects Your Vision
Beyond the physical discomfort, dry eye can also interfere with how clearly you see. The tear film on your eye’s surface is important for clear sight, and when it’s unstable, your vision can be affected in frustrating ways. Dry eye can cause:
- Blurriness that comes and goes
- Watery eyes, which can be your body’s response to irritation
- Discomfort while you wear contacts
Your Environment and Daily Habits
Your Surroundings
The world around you plays a big part in your eye comfort. Particles in the air can pull moisture away from your eyes, leaving them feeling parched. This is especially true in dry, windy, or dusty climates and indoors, where air conditioning or heat can affect your eyes.
Your Screen Time
Like most of us, you might spend a lot of time looking at screens. When you focus on a phone, tablet, or computer, you tend to blink less often. Blinking is how your eyes spread fresh tears, so fewer blinks can mean less moisture and more irritation. Practicing habits like the 20-20-20 rule can help give your eyes a needed break.
Health Conditions and Medications
Changes in Your Body
Sometimes, the source of dry eye comes from within. Certain changes in your body or health conditions can affect your ability to produce enough high-quality tears to keep your eyes smooth and comfortable. These can be things like:
- The natural aging process
- Certain medical conditions
- Hormone shifts or imbalances
Common Medications
Many common over-the-counter and prescription drugs can have side effects that reduce tear production. While these medications help with 1 problem, they may unintentionally contribute to dry eye symptoms.
- Anti-allergy and cold medication
- Some blood pressure medication
- Some types of antidepressants
How Contact Lenses Can Contribute to Dryness
The Lens and Your Tear Film
If you wear contact lenses, you might notice your eyes feel drier throughout the day. A contact lens sits directly on your tear film, and some materials can disrupt the natural moisture balance on your eye’s surface. Different types of contact lenses interact with your tear film in unique ways.
Oxygen Flow to the Eye
Your eyes need oxygen to stay healthy. Some types of contact lenses (especially older or less breathable materials) can limit the amount of oxygen that reaches the surface of your eye. This reduction can lead to irritation and a feeling of dryness, especially after many hours of wear.
When to Talk to an Optometrist
If Symptoms Interfere with Your Day
When eye discomfort starts to get in the way of your daily life, it may be time to get a professional opinion. If you find that your usual remedies are no longer effective, our team can help you explore other options.
Protect Your Long-Term Eye Health
Addressing dry eye is not just about comfort: It’s also about protecting your vision. Severe, long-term dryness may increase the risk of damage to the front surface of your eye over time. A visit with an optometrist can help identify what factors might be impacting your eyes and create a personalized plan to help you find relief.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
You don’t have to live with the constant irritation of dry eye. By identifying the potential sources of your discomfort, you can take steps to find lasting relief and get back to seeing your world clearly and comfortably. If you are experiencing dry eye, schedule a visit to either our Jacksonville or Orange Park locations to discuss a plan that works for you.
