Critical Facts To Know About Recognizing And Treating Dry Eye

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), the scientific name for a condition commonly called 'dry eye' can develop for a variety of reasons, including age, environmental conditions, gender, medication, and medical conditions. According to the American Optometric Society, dry eye is a condition in which an eye does not produce enough tears to lubricate itself, and the eye becomes dehydrated as a result. Check out these facts everyone should know about dry eyes and how to treat it. It is important to note, however, individuals should always see a medical professional if any eye problem is persistent. Better yet; an annual eye exam should be part of everyone's yearly health routine.

What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye is a condition in which the eye does not produce enough natural hydration through tears to lubricate the eye. The outcome of not creating enough hydration leads to the eye becoming dry. Dry eye is a common problem, and it can become chronic, especially in older age. There are many different reasons for this condition to occur including the quality of hydration the eye is receiving naturally. Many individuals do not even realize they have dry eye because it may only manifest in certain situations such as on airplanes, using a computer for a prolonged period, sitting in an air-conditioned room, and even riding a bike.

Uncover the major symptoms linked to dry eye next.

Symptoms Of Dry Eye

Symptoms of dry eye include a stinging or burning sensation in one or both eyes, redness, watery eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, as well as mucus in and around the eyes. If any of these symptoms are noticeable, individuals should see a doctor who can determine what is wrong or provide a referral to a specialist. Other problems caused by dry eye include sensitivity to light (known as photophobia), difficulty wearing contact lenses, the sensation of something stuck in the eye (known as foreign body syndrome), as well as trouble driving at night due to compromised vision. Individuals with dry eye may also experience itchiness and heavy eyelids and can even affect the outcomes of LASIK eye and cataract surgery negatively.

Learn about the relation of tears and dry eye next.