Do your eyes often feel uncomfortable or irritated? Are you constantly reaching for eye drops to try to find relief? You might be experiencing dry eye. This common condition can cause a range of symptoms that affect your daily life. In this blog post, we’ll share some common symptoms to help you recognize when it’s time to seek professional care. 

Persistent dryness 

Do you feel like your eyes are constantly dry? This is one of the most noticeable symptoms of dry eye. It can feel like your eyes aren’t getting enough moisture, making them uncomfortable throughout the day. 

Gritty eyes 

Another common symptom is a feeling of grittiness or foreign body sensation in the eyes. It may feel like there’s something stuck in your eye that you just can’t get rid of. 

Blurry vision 

Dry eye can cause fluctuations in your vision due to an unstable tear film on the surface of your eyes. This can make activities like reading or driving more challenging. If you notice that your vision is not as clear as it used to be, especially after prolonged periods of staring at screens or in dry environments, it could be a sign of dry eye. 

Itching or burning sensation 

Do your eyes itch or burn? These symptoms are common with dry eye and can be very uncomfortable, making it hard to focus on tasks like reading or working on the computer. 

Redness 

Red, irritated eyes can be a sign of dry eye. When your eyes lack moisture, they can become inflamed and visibly red. 

Watery eyes 

It might seem odd, but dry eyes can cause excessive tearing. Your eyes may produce more tears to try to compensate for the dryness, but these tears often lack the necessary lubricating properties. 

Eye fatigue 

When your eyes are dry, they can tire more easily, especially during activities that require prolonged visual focus, like reading or using a computer. This can lead to overall eye fatigue and discomfort. 

Light sensitivity 

Dry eyes can make you more sensitive to light, known as photophobia. Bright sunlight or indoor lights can cause discomfort. 

When to seek help 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, it’s important to seek professional help. At Tuscaloosa EyeCare, Pickens County EyeCare, and Hale County EyeCare, our dry eye specialists in Northport, Greensboro, and Reform can diagnose dry eye and recommend effective treatments tailored to your needs. 

Treatments can range from over-the-counter artificial tears to prescription medications, and even advanced therapies like Cynosure Icon IPL therapy, TempSure Envi, and the TearCare® system, which help address the root causes of dry eye. These treatments are effective for severe cases of dry eyes that do not respond to eye drops or lifestyle changes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help you manage dry eye.