Only those who have dry eyes realize how itchy, sensitive, and stingy it can be. More often than not, dry eyes are caused due to constant screen time for long hours. Every one of us suffers blurred vision, headache, irritation, or any one of the symptoms of dry eyes. Most of us tend to ignore it, considering it will be gone with a good night’s sleep, but if it persists, it can lead to more permanent damage to the eyes and cause more harm. So, firstly, we need to identify all the symptoms of dry eyes to protect our eyes from any further damage. Here are nine symptoms of dry eyes for which you should look out.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
Burning Sensation: This is the most common symptom of dry eyes. It is caused by the lack of lubrication, which creates a burning sensation combined with an itch.
Light Sensitivity: When your eyes are properly lubricated, you have the ability to adapt to the different light brightness that you have to encounter. When your eyes are dry, you lose that ability, making you sensitive to bright lights.
Stringy Mucus: Stringy mucus in or around the eye is noticed generally when your eyes are too dry.
Difficulty In Wearing Contacts: If you wear contact lenses, you must be aware that dry eyes make inserting contacts difficult. So, if you are new to contacts and you are having constant difficulty in wearing your lenses, it is possible that you have dry eyes. Check with your ophthalmologist to understand its cause.
Redness: Redness in your eyes is one of the most common symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eyes tend to become red around the corners, which spread to the entire white region of your eyes, according to the severity of your dryness.
Irritation: The feeling of something inside your eye causes irritation. If you feel the urge to itch your eyes, it causes further redness and can lead to a burning sensation. So, irritation in your eyes is one of the telltale symptoms of dry eyes.
Teary Eyes: When your eyes become very dry, the automatic response of your body is to release tears. However, it is only a temporary solution to the problem. Tears are not appropriate lubrication for the eyes because they might not be enough in amount to lubricate your eyes, leading to inflammation and damage to the surface of your eye. So, if you are having teary eyes suddenly, it might be because of dry eyes.
Eye Fatigue: Eye fatigue entails blurred vision or difficulty seeing or reading things, be it up close or at a distance. This can be caused due to multiple reasons, one of which can be dry eyes. So, if you are having eye fatigue matched with some of the other symptoms in the list, it can be due to dry eyes.
Difficulty Driving at Night: Dry eyes hinder your ability to see clearly, be it due to irritation or eye fatigue. The wind hitting your face when you are operating a vehicle can also cause dryness in your eyes, and the tear response from your body can hinder your vision. So, it is crucial that you keep your eyes well-moisturized when you are operating any vehicle, especially at night.
So now that you know what are the symptoms of dry eyes, it is crucial that you remember them and keep a check on yourself. Symptoms of dry eyes are common and can be caused due to several reasons. It is important that you understand the cause and treat them accordingly. If you work on digital screens for long hours, you need to protect your eyes with appropriate blue-light-blocking glasses. Make sure you buy them from reputed brands such as Fastrack, Titan, etc.