Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorNext in Dry Eye Syndrome GuideHow Dry Eye Is Treated
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Next in Dry Eye Syndrome Guide
Dry eye is one of the most common reasons that people visit the eye doctor; in fact, it is estimated that more than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with dry eye.
Dry eye occurs due to a lack of adequate tear production or it can also occur when tears are absorbed too quickly.
Because tear production tends to diminish as you get older, dry eye is more common in people over 50 years old.
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For some people, dry eye symptoms are mild and feel like a speck of sand in the eye, or stinging or burning that doesn’t go away.
For others, dry eye can become a chronic condition that leads to blurred vision or even vision loss if it goes untreated.
Early symptoms of dry eye generally include:
When the condition is mild, symptoms tend to come and go.
Dry Eye and Contact LensesTrouble wearing contacts and excessive tearing are common symptoms among those with dry eye.
Dry Eye and Contact Lenses
Trouble wearing contacts and excessive tearing are common symptoms among those with dry eye.
Common signs and symptoms may include:
How Tears Evaporate and Lead to Dry Eye
As dry eye worsens and becomes chronic, the symptoms become more tenacious.
Less common symptoms of dry eye may include:
What Causes Dry Eyes All of a Sudden Without a Previous History?
Usually, dry eye simply causes discomfort; but in severe instances, the condition could lead to complications such as damage to the cornea.
Dangers of Cornea DamageWhen the cornea is damaged, the result could be permanent vision loss.
Dangers of Cornea Damage
When the cornea is damaged, the result could be permanent vision loss.
Dry eye symptoms may be part of a systemic disease, such as an immune system disorder calledSjögren’s disease, which attacks the lubricating glands in the body.
Therefore, due to the possibility of more serious conditions linked with dry eye, prompt and accurate diagnosis is very important.
Other complications of dry eye may include:
Whenever you have symptoms such as light sensitivity, severe eye pain, or a change in vision, you should consult with your ophthalmologist or another healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Your primary physician can take measures to decipher what may be going on or refer you to an eye care specialist (such as an ophthalmologist).
A Word From Verywell
Dry eye is usually a progressive condition associated with aging, but it can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Although there is no cure for dry eye, there are some treatment modalities—such as certain types of medications or surgery—that may help to correct the underlying problem and alleviate symptoms.
Protecting your vision is the most important consideration when it comes to having any type of eye condition, including dry eye.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Sharma A, Hindman HB.Aging: a predisposition to dry eyes.J Ophthalmol. 2014;2014:781683. doi:10.1155/2014/781683National Eye Institute.NEI sets stage for new clinical trial to tackle dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes and treatment.Burrow MK, Patel BC.Keratoconjunctivitis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Sharma A, Hindman HB.Aging: a predisposition to dry eyes.J Ophthalmol. 2014;2014:781683. doi:10.1155/2014/781683National Eye Institute.NEI sets stage for new clinical trial to tackle dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes and treatment.Burrow MK, Patel BC.Keratoconjunctivitis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033Sharma A, Hindman HB.Aging: a predisposition to dry eyes.J Ophthalmol. 2014;2014:781683. doi:10.1155/2014/781683National Eye Institute.NEI sets stage for new clinical trial to tackle dry eye.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes and treatment.Burrow MK, Patel BC.Keratoconjunctivitis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
Farrand KF, Fridman M, Stillman IÖ, Schaumberg DA.Prevalence of diagnosed dry eye disease in the United States among adults aged 18 years and older.Am J Ophthalmol. 2017;182:90-98. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2017.06.033
Sharma A, Hindman HB.Aging: a predisposition to dry eyes.J Ophthalmol. 2014;2014:781683. doi:10.1155/2014/781683
National Eye Institute.NEI sets stage for new clinical trial to tackle dry eye.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes and treatment.
Burrow MK, Patel BC.Keratoconjunctivitis. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
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