You blink, but that gritty, tired, or uncomfortable feeling just won’t go away. This experience is common, especially during Winnipeg’s cold, dry winters. It often points to dry eye, a condition that our team at Village Optical sees regularly.
Dry eye often feels like something in your eye, creating a gritty or scratchy sensation, but it can also present as stinging, redness, and even excessive watering. If you’re experiencing these sensations, you don’t have to deal with the discomfort: We provide comprehensive dry eye treatment to help you find relief.
Telltale Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye
It’s more than just a feeling of dryness. The discomfort from dry eye can show up in several different ways, sometimes all at once. It might include:
- A scratchy or gritty feeling, like sand is in your eye.
- Stinging or burning sensations.
- Redness and irritation.
- Moments of blurry vision.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Watery eyes, which can be your body’s reaction to the irritation.
That last point about watery eyes can seem strange, but your body’s way of combating the irritation is by producing extra tears. However, these tears often lack the right balance to properly coat your eye, so the relief is only temporary.
Why Your Eyes Might Feel This Way
Dry eye happens when your tears don’t properly lubricate your eyes. This imbalance can occur for a few different reasons:
- Your environment: Cold weather, wind, or even air conditioning can cause tears to evaporate too quickly.
- Screen time: You tend to blink less when you focus on a screen, which reduces the spread of tears across your eye.
- Age and hormones: Tear production can naturally decrease over time or due to hormonal shifts.
- Certain medications: Some medicines, like allergy or cold medication, can reduce tear production as a side effect.
- Contact lens wear: Some types of contacts can contribute to dryness if they’re not the right fit for your eyes.
What Can Be Mistaken for Dry Eye?
Sometimes, what feels like dry eye could be related to something else. The symptoms of different eye conditions can overlap, which can make it hard to tell them apart on your own. An accurate diagnosis can help determine which type of irritation you have, as each kind is treated differently.
- Allergies: Itchiness is a strong clue, as are other symptoms like a runny nose or hives.
- Eye strain: Long hours of reading or computer work can contribute to digital eye strain, which can mimic dry eye discomfort.
- Blepharitis: This condition involves inflammation of the eyelids and can cause gritty, burning sensations similar to dry eye.
How to Manage Dry Eye Discomfort
You can take steps to get your eyes feeling more comfortable again. Relief often comes from a mix of at-home habits and professional guidance from your eye doctor.
Simple Changes You Can Make
Small adjustments to your daily routine can make a noticeable difference in how your eyes feel. Try these tips:
- Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home or office.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the wind and sun.
When to Explore Professional Options
If simple changes aren’t providing enough relief, an eye care professional can discuss other options with you, such as prescription eye drops, specialized contact lenses, and in-office therapies to help improve your tear quality or support gland function.
When You Should See an Eye Doctor
If at-home remedies aren’t providing enough relief, or if your symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life, it’s a good idea to seek a professional opinion. Our team can diagnose your dry eye and get you started on the path towards relief.
Don’t Wait to Seek Comfort
At Village Optical, relief from dry eye symptoms is possible. Our experienced eye doctors provide comprehensive exams to evaluate your unique needs and create a personalized treatment plan. If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, call our team at 431-813-2757 to speak with our ocular hygienist and discuss your options. We’ll be happy to schedule an appointment with one of our dry eye specialists and help you find lasting relief.
