DRY EYE DISEASE SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Eye redness
- Itchy and irritated eyes
- Burning eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Feel gritty
- Watery Eyes
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty driving at night
- None of the above
All the symptoms listed above can be caused by dry eye disease. Yet surprisingly many people who have dry eye disease do not experience any of them and are asymptomatic. Dry eye disease, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is best defined by damage to the epithelial layer of the eye. The epithelial layer covers both the cornea and the pupil. Several eye conditions can manifest ocular surface disease. The condition results in inflammation of the eye and tear-producing glands.
WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE DISEASE?
Dry eyes syndrome used to be more common in older people and women; however, as our world has become more technologically driven, dry eyes can affect anyone. Common causes of dry eyes can be over the counter and prescription medications, as well as use of electronic devices. Other causes for dry eyes may be natural – tear production often slows down as people get older.
- Aging
- Hormonal Changes
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Autoimmune diseases
- Prolonged digital devices use
- Medications like decongestants, antihistamines and more
- Lasik or other refractive surgeries
- Glaucoma
- Smoking
"I know I don’t have dry eyes, they water all of the time.” This paradox occurs because keeping our eye moist is a big part of our vision, if the eye starts to become dry our bodies reflex mechanism is to ramp up the production of tears- this results in watering, sometimes the watering is so extreme that it runs out of the eye and down the cheeks like you are crying.
Our team of doctors can suggest a variety of treatments for dry eyes, depending on the underlying cause of your dry eye disease.
