Dry eye
Why eyes feel dry
Every blink spreads a thin film of tears over the eye. Dry eye starts when that film is short of something, or its layers stop working together.
The film has three layers: oil from the eyelid glands on the outside, water in the middle and a layer of mucus that helps it cling to the eye. A shortage in any one is enough to make the eye uncomfortable, and many people have more than one.
What people notice
Burning, stinging or a gritty feeling
Eyes that water, because they react to dryness
Blurry vision that clears when you blink
Tired eyes by the end of the day
Contact lenses that feel fine in the morning and not by afternoon
What we look for
Six causes we check
An evaluation looks for each of these, because the treatment that fits depends on which ones are at work.
Screens and a slower blink
Looking at a screen can cut how often you blink. The tear film thins between blinks and the eye dries.
Contact lens wear
Lenses can dry out and take moisture from the eye. The material, the fit and the schedule all change how they feel.
Air, heat and wind
Dry indoor air, forced-air heat, a long drive with the vents on and a cold wind off the hills all dry the surface.
Blocked oil glands
When the oil glands along the lids clog, the tears lose their top layer and dry off quickly. This is common, and it can be checked.
Age and hormones
The eyes make fewer tears as we get older, and hormone changes affect them too.
Medicines and health conditions
Some medicines, including some for allergies, and some health conditions dry the eyes. Dr. Cullen reviews what you take with you, and works with your other doctors.
- Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, a chemical splash or an eye injury needs care now. Call our office right away or go to an emergency room. If you can't reach us, call 911.
Questions about dry eye
Is it dry eye, or an allergy or an infection?
They can feel alike. Dry eye is gritty, burning or tired. Allergy usually itches, and an infection is often red with a discharge. An exam tells them apart, so please don't guess if your eyes are red or painful.
Why do my eyes water if they are dry?
A dry surface irritates the eye, and the eye answers with a rush of watery tears. Those tears don't have the oil that holds a film in place, so the dryness comes back.
Can dry eye damage my vision?
Most dry eye is uncomfortable rather than harmful, but severe, untreated dryness can affect the surface of the eye. That is one reason to have it looked at.
See what is behind your dry eye
Book a dry eye evaluation. Dr. Cullen explains what she finds before you leave.