Your eyes can sometimes feel gritty, tired, and just plain uncomfortable. It’s a common feeling, especially after a long day of looking at screens or being outdoors. However, persistent irritation can make it hard to focus and enjoy your daily activities.
If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing dry eye. Dry eye often feels like a stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation in your eyes. Our team at Old South Optometry can help you identify the cause of this feeling, the first step toward becoming comfortable and achieving lasting relief from dry eye symptoms.
What’s Dry Eye?
Your eyes rely on a steady supply of quality tears to stay comfortable and healthy. Tears are more than just water—they have three important layers that work together to protect and lubricate your eyes. When this balance is disrupted, you may experience dry eye discomfort.
Not Enough Tears
Sometimes, your eyes just do not produce enough tears to keep their surface moist. This can happen for several reasons, causing your eyes to feel dry and sore. Without that protective layer of tears, your eyes are more exposed to the air.
Poor Quality Tears
At other times, your eyes produce enough tears, but the tears lack a key ingredient. They might evaporate too quickly from the surface of your eye, which can happen when the oily layer of your tear film is compromised. This leaves your eyes unprotected and irritated, even if they feel watery.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye
Symptoms can affect one or both eyes and range from mildly annoying to disruptive.
- A stinging or burning feeling
- A scratchy or gritty sensation—like sand is in your eye
- Redness & irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision, especially after long periods of focus
- Watery eyes, which can be your body’s response to the irritation
- Difficulty with night driving
- Trouble wearing your contact lenses comfortably
Factors That Can Contribute to Dry Eye
Several factors can increase your risk of dry eye. Your daily habits and environment often play a big role in how your eyes feel.
Age & Hormonal Changes
As you age, your tear production naturally slows. Hormonal shifts that happen at different stages of life can also affect the quality and quantity of your tears.
Your Environment & Daily Habits
Spending time in dry, windy, or smoky places can take a toll on your eyes. Long hours in front of a computer or phone screen also contribute to digital eye strain because you tend to blink less often, which prevents tears from spreading properly.
Certain Health Conditions & Medications
Some health conditions may be associated with dry eye symptoms. Several common medications can also reduce tear production as a side effect, leading to the familiar gritty feeling.
Could It Be Something Besides Dry Eye?
Some other eye conditions have symptoms that closely resemble dry eye. Eye allergies, for instance, can also cause redness, itching, and watery eyes. Another possibility is blepharitis—a type of eyelid inflammation that can disrupt your tear film. A comprehensive eye exam can help figure out exactly what is going on with your vision.
How to Find Relief for Your Dry Eye
You can make small changes to your routine that may help ease dry eye discomfort. These tips may help your eyes feel more comfortable, but if symptoms persist, professional care can offer more targeted solutions.
Adjust Your Surroundings
Try to avoid having air blow directly into your face from fans, heaters, or hair dryers. Using a humidifier can add moisture back into dry indoor air.
Give Your Eyes a Break
When you’re reading or using a screen, take regular breaks. Following the 20-20-20 rule is a helpful practice: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a needed rest and helps spread your tears evenly. Take this time to focus on fully completing each blink and maintaining a steady blink rate to support continuous tear film renewal.
Protect Your Eyes Outdoors
Wear wraparound sunglasses when you’re outside. This can help shield your eyes from drying wind and sun, keeping them more comfortable.
If you have tried simple remedies and your eyes still feel dry and uncomfortable, it may be time to discuss. A comprehensive eye exam can help determine why your eyes are dry. Our optometrist in London can then recommend a plan to help you find lasting relief. Persistent dry eye can affect your vision and your daily life, but you do not have to just live with the discomfort. The team at Old South Optometry can help identify the source of your symptoms and find a solution that works for you. Schedule an eye exam today to take the first step toward clear and comfortable vision.
