Dry eye syndrome can cause several side effects, some of which can affect your vision. It’s important to seek treatment before the condition becomes severe, as it can cause permanent damage.
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears to support key bodily functions or when your tears evaporate too quickly.
Tears are important because they keep your eyes lubricated and help keep them protected from dust and other foreign substances. Such substances can cause an eye infection or damage to the surface of your eye.
Untreated dry eye syndrome puts you at risk of these side effects, which can lead to a decreased quality of life.
Temporary vision changes are also possible side effects. Although it’s rare, these can sometimes lead to vision deterioration.
Read on to learn how dry eye syndrome can affect your vision.
Dry eye syndrome can damage multiple aspects of your visual function, even if you have optimal eyesight.
Blurred vision
A common complaint of dry eye syndrome is blurry vision,
An eye’s tear film is the outermost thin liquid layer of the eye. It covers the cornea — which is the transparent, dome-shaped front part of the eye — forming a barrier at the margins of your eyelid.
An unstable tear film can cause your vision to fluctuate during blinking, leading to glare or haloes around lights, especially at night.
You may feel like your eyes are tired when you struggle to see clearly due to these issues.
In one 2019 study, 58% of people with chronic dry eye reported moderate to very severe blurred vision, compared with 10.5% of those without the condition.
Sensitivity to light
Insufficient corneal lubrication can make the
When the surface of your eye is irritated, exposure to light can exacerbate discomfort and sensitivity. Dry eye can also affect the nerves in your eye, making them more sensitive.
Additionally, the following symptoms and side effects of dry eye syndrome can affect your vision by causing pain and discomfort. This discomfort can also affect your quality of life until you receive treatment.
Contact a doctor if you have any symptoms of dry eye syndrome, or if eye soreness and irritation are affecting your day-to-day life.
A doctor can diagnose dry eye syndrome by using a microscope and medicated eye drops to examine the eye surface.
They may also perform an eye dilation exam to check your overall eye health. In this exam, they’ll give you eye drops to widen (dilate) your pupils and check for underlying causes of your discomfort or vision changes.
