Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms - North Florida Cataract and Vision
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Dry Eye Symptoms


Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Though it may sound strange, some dry-eye sufferers notice that their eyes tear excessively. This process is called reflex tearing and is the eye’s response to irritation. Other dry eye symptoms usually include:

  • Stinging or burning
  • Scratchiness
  • Mucus or "matter" in eyes
  • Redness
  • Sensation of a foreign body or grittiness
  • Excess tearing
  • Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Eye fatigue
  • Decrease in visual quality (usually worse after reading or looking at TV or computer screen for a period of time)

Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Tear film consists of three layers: an oily layer, a watery layer and a layer of mucus. When there is an imbalance in the tear film, a person may experience dry eyes.

layers-of-tear-film

 Many factors can contribute to dry eye syndrome:

  • Hormonal changes and age
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Contact lens wear
  • Refractive procedures such as LASIK
  • Medications
  • Environmental irritants, such as smoke, wind, a dry climate, air conditioning
  • Corneal scarring or other corneal disorders
  • History of blepharoplasty or eyelid surgeries
  • Sleeping with oxygen mask or CPAP machine

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