Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. When your eyes are dry, they may feel irritated, gritty, or itchy. But did you know that dry eyes can also lead to blurry vision? Tears are essential for keeping the front surface of your eyes healthy and for providing clear vision. When the surface of your eye doesn’t get enough moisture, it can affect the way light enters your eye and cause objects to appear blurry. Here are a few ways dry eye syndrome can cause blurry vision:
Tear quality
Tears have three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Problems with any of these layers can affect tear quality or evaporation. For example, if the meibomian glands in your eyelids don’t produce enough oil, your tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes dry and resulting in blurry vision.
Corneal damage
Chronic dryness can damage the surface of the cornea, the clear covering on the front of your eye. When your eyes are dry, the surface of your eyes becomes irregular. This irregular surface causes light to scatter instead of focusing directly on the retina, leading to blurry vision.
Reflex tearing
Sometimes, dry eyes can make your eyes produce too many tears as they try to compensate for the lack of moisture. However, these tears are not the same quality as your natural tears, leaving your eyes feeling dry and causing more blurry vision.
Contact lenses
If you wear contact lenses, you might notice that dry eyes can make wearing them a bit of a struggle. Dry eyes can affect how well your lenses fit and move over your eyes. If they don’t stay properly hydrated, they might shift more, causing inconsistent vision.
How to find relief
If you’re dealing with both dry eyes and blurry vision, there are several ways to manage these symptoms. One simple solution is using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist and reduce irritation. It’s also important to take regular breaks from screens and remember to blink frequently to prevent tear evaporation. In more severe cases of dry eye syndrome, your eye doctor may recommend prescription medications or procedures to improve tear production and quality. By addressing the root cause of your dry eyes, you may also find relief from blurry vision.
One effective treatment option is OptiLight IPL therapy offered here at The Eye Center in Pembroke Pines. OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy uses gentle pulses of light to target inflammation in the eyelids and stimulate the production of healthier tears. By reducing inflammation and improving tear quality, OptiLight IPL therapy can help restore clear vision and relieve dry eye symptoms.
If you’ve been struggling with dry eye symptoms lately, schedule an appointment at The Eye Center for expert guidance and specialized treatment options like OptiLight IPL therapy. Our dry eye specialists in Pembroke Pines will determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and recommend the best treatment for your specific needs.
