A common ailment in America that often goes overlooked is dry eyes. This is surprising, considering it can significantly impact daily life. Many experience occasional dryness and discomfort; a question that arises is, can dry eyes cause blindness? Understanding the potential repercussions of dry eyes is important for the health of your eyes. Prolonged irritation and lack of moisture can result in serious risks and complications.
This article will examine the evidence to determine if there is a correlation between severe eye, and blindness. We will discuss preventative measures, dry eye treatment, and even eyelid surgery. Knowledge is power, and you have the power to protect your vision and maintain your eye health by being well-informed.
Understanding Dry Eye Disease
If your tears are not able to keep your eyes properly moistened and you have struggled with severe or persistent dry eye symptoms, you may be suffering from dry eye disease. While it is rare, if left untreated, dry eye disease could lead to partial or full loss of vision in one or both of your eyes.
Signs and symptoms:
- Stinging
- Burning
- Scratchy sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Eye redness
- Feeling like you have something in your eye
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
The Link Between Dry Eyes and Vision Loss
In short, yes, dry eyes can cause blindness, but this is very rare. When dry eye disease goes untreated, it can cause complications, including vision loss. This condition can cause partial vision loss or complete loss of vision. That is why maintaining eye health and lubrication is important.
Vision may become blurry if you experience a disruption in the tear film of one or both of your eyes. The tear film is responsible for keeping the surface of your eye lubricated and clear. This disruption can cause unevenness and light scattering, causing blurry vision.
Risk Factors
Dry eyes can affect anyone, but certain factors may put you at a higher risk:
- Aging
- Pre-existing conditions: Thyroid disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions
- Medications: Antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, hormone replacement therapy
- Environmental factors: Low humidity, wind, smoke, allergens
- Lifestyle factors: Screen time, contact lens wear, poor blinking habits
Diagnosis and Treatment
For a conclusive diagnosis, speak with an experienced eye surgeon. Your physician will have you undergo testing and assessments to determine your diagnosis and its cause. Tests to diagnose:
- Comprehensive eye exam
- Tear volume measurement test
- Test to determine the quality of your tears
- Tear osmolarity test
- Tear samples to look for markers
If you only experience the occasional or mild dry eye symptoms, regular non-prescription eye drops may offer relief. If you are experiencing more serious symptoms or they do not go away with time or artificial tears, you may need to seek the help of an experienced eye surgeon to explore other treatment options:
- Punctal plugs
- Treating the underlying cause
- Tear-stimulating medications
- Nasal spray to increase tear production
- Eye drops
- Anti-inflammatory
- Closing the tear duct
- Special contact lenses
- Unblocking oil glands
- Light therapy and eyelid massage
- Eyelid surgery
You must never insert anything into your eyes or take any medications for dry eyes before consulting with a medical professional. Your eyes are fragile, and small, seemingly insignificant dry eye treatment without the guidance of a medical professional could result in catastrophic consequences. Your physician can offer you the best odds of success and is your greatest resource in optimizing the health of your eyes.
Preventing Vision Loss From Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can be a bothersome and uncomfortable condition, but it rarely directly progresses to blindness. This does not mean you should take dry eyes lightly. When left untreated, chronic dry eyes can cause corneal damage and vision impairment over time. With proper care, management, and treatment, most can effectively alleviate symptoms and protect eye health.
Your eyes are delicate and deserve attentive care. If you are experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, consult with an eye care professional. Your surgeon can provide individualized solutions, from simple lifestyle modifications to more intensive interventions like eyelid surgery. Whatever solution you and your healthcare team decide on will aim to significantly improve your comfort and safeguard your vision.
Eyelid Surgery in Orange County
Talk to an experienced eyelid surgeon about your chronic dry eyes to keep them in tip-top shape.