Do your eyes feel constantly irritated, red, or tired? You might be experiencing chronic dry eye symptoms. This condition occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and potential vision problems.
Here are some key dry eye symptoms to look out for:
1. Persistent itchiness
If you find yourself rubbing your eyes frequently due to an itchy sensation, it could be a sign of inadequate lubrication, a common dry eye symptom.
2. A gritty or sandy feeling
Many people with dry eye symptoms describe the sensation of having sand or grit in their eyes, even when nothing is there.
3. Redness that won’t go away
Chronic dryness can cause inflammation, leading to eyes that appear persistently red or bloodshot, indicative of dry eye symptoms.
4. Sensitivity to light
Bright lights may feel more intense or painful if your eyes lack the proper moisture to protect them, a frequent dry eye symptom.
Pexels
5. Excessive tearing
Ironically, chronic dry eye symptoms can cause your eyes to overproduce tears in an attempt to compensate for the dryness.
6. Blurred vision that improves with blinking
If your vision becomes intermittently blurry but clears up after blinking a few times, it might indicate dry spots on your eyes’ surface, a common dry eye symptom.
7. Discomfort while wearing contact lenses
Dry eye symptoms can make wearing contacts unbearable, causing irritation or a feeling of the lenses sticking to your eyes.
8. A burning sensation
A stinging or burning feeling in your eyes is a telltale sign of chronic dryness and inflammation, common in dry eye symptoms.
9. Difficulty driving at night
Dryness can make it harder to see clearly in low-light conditions, especially when facing oncoming headlights, a concerning dry eye symptom.
10. Frequent eye fatigue
Your eyes may feel strained or exhausted even after short periods of reading, screen time, or other visually demanding activities, indicating dry eye symptoms.
What you can do about it
If you recognise several of these dry eye symptoms, it’s best to consult an optometrist. Don’t ignore persistent discomfort—your eyes deserve the best care!
ALSO SEE:
10 vitamins every woman should be adding their daily routine
Feature Image: Getty
