SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE
Dry eye can come with a variety of symptoms, including: gritty sore eyes, watery eyes, irritation, dryness, redness and increased sensitivity. We’re here to help you understand the symptoms of dry eye and what to look out for.
If you think you might be experiencing any or all of the symptoms mentioned and you suspect that you’re suffering from dry eye, we recommend you contact your local eye care professional.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Blurry vision
Blurred vision which may come and go as you blink
Gritty, sore eyes
A rough, scratchy or irritated feeling in your eyes
Tired eyes
The feeling of fatigue in your eyes or heavy eyelids
A slightly red appearance
Experiencing a slightly red appearance to the whites of the eyes
Watery eyes
Eyes that are watery, may stream or water in reaction to the environment e.g. windy conditions
Increased awareness of your eyes
Feeling more aware of your eyes being there than you normally would
Itchy eyes
A feeling of itchiness in the eyes, like you want to rub them
Contact lens discomfort
Feeling discomfort or irritation while wearing contact lenses and being unable to wear your lenses for as long as you would like
Eyes that are easily bothered by smoke, wind, air conditioning
Experiencing increased sensitivity when in contact with irritants
Foreign body sensation
Feeling like there is something stuck in your eyes
Irritated eyes
A persistent feeling of irritation in your eyes
Dryness
A noticeable dry sensation in your eyes
When to see an eye care professional
You should seek the advice of an eye care professional whenever you have concerns about your eyes. If you have already received an official diagnosis of dry eye, an eye care professional will be able to support you with ways to manage your symptoms.
If you think you have dry eye and are experiencing any of the associated symptoms such as gritty, sore, irritated, red eyes, or anything else out of the ordinary, we would always recommend visiting an eye care professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Dry Eye Testing & Diagnosis
Different methods can be used by eye care professionals to test for, and diagnose dry eye. The commonest way to do this would be for your eye care professional to use a microscope (slit lamp) to check the surface of the eye and evaluate your eye health. They may also use a dye to properly assess the tear film and determine how quickly your tears are evaporating.
Some professionals may also use specialist equipment that takes images of the eyes and conduct a non-invasive assessment to understand the dry eye better. With this modern technology, receiving a diagnosis is much simpler and easier.
Products for Dry Eye
Searching for the right product to help manage and alleviate your dry eye symptoms? Have a look at our top suggestions available to purchase through the links below.
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