What Are the Early Signs of Dry Eye and How Can It Be Treated?

April 30, 2025

Dry eye is a common yet often overlooked condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. It occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and potential damage to the eye’s surface. Understanding the early signs and available treatments is crucial for maintaining eye health and preventing further complications.

Early Signs of Dry Eye

Recognizing the early signs of dry eye is essential for timely intervention. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Persistent Eye Irritation: A sensation of dryness, grittiness, or a foreign body in the eye can indicate the onset of dry eye.

Redness: Eyes that appear red and inflamed may be struggling with insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation.

Excessive Tearing: Paradoxically, dry eye can cause an overproduction of tears as a reflex to irritation, leading to watery eyes.

Blurred Vision: You may experience intermittent blurred vision, especially during activities like reading, using a computer, or driving at night.

Light Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to light can be a sign of dryness and irritation on the eye’s surface.

Discomfort While Wearing Contact Lenses: If contact lenses suddenly become uncomfortable, this might signal an underlying dry eye condition.

Common Causes of Dry Eye

Dry eye can result from a variety of factors, including:

Aging: Tear production decreases with age, making older adults more susceptible.

Screen Time: Prolonged use of digital devices reduces blink rates, contributing to dryness.

Environmental Factors: Wind, smoke, and air conditioning can cause tears to evaporate quickly.

Medical Conditions: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid disorders can lead to dry eye.

Medications: Certain medications, like antihistamines, decongestants, or antidepressants, can reduce tear production.

How Is Dry Eye Treated?

Fortunately, dry eye is manageable with various treatments tailored to the severity of your symptoms. At Harvey & Lewis Opticians, we offer advanced diagnostic technology to assess and treat dry eye effectively.

1. Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes that can help to manage dry eye include:

Reduce Screen Time: Take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule (look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes).

Adjust Your Environment: Use a humidifier and avoid direct exposure to fans or vents.

Wear Protective Eyewear: Glasses with side shields can block wind and reduce tear evaporation.

2. Artificial Tears

Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide temporary relief by moisturizing the eyes. For more persistent symptoms, prescription eye drops may be recommended.

3. Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications, such as cyclosporine eye drops, can increase tear production and reduce inflammation associated with dry eye.

4. Advanced Diagnostic Tools

At Harvey & Lewis Opticians, we use state-of-the-art equipment like OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and Optos to evaluate the health of your tear film and identify the root causes of dry eye. These tools enable our experienced eye doctors to create personalized treatment plans.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Ignoring dry eye symptoms can lead to chronic discomfort, corneal damage, and an increased risk of eye infections. Left untreated, dry eye can also interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or using a computer, significantly reducing your quality of life. Additionally, prolonged dryness can exacerbate underlying eye conditions, potentially leading to permanent vision impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to maintaining long-term eye health and preventing complications that could impact your overall well-being.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

If you’re experiencing symptoms of dry eye, don’t wait for them to worsen. At Harvey & Lewis Opticians, our experienced team of eye doctors can provide a thorough evaluation and recommend the best course of action. Schedule your eye exam at one of our eight convenient locations across Connecticut and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.