5 Signs You Should Visit an Optometrist for Dry Eye

Do your eyes feel dry and scratchy? Do they ache or burn, and do you have the sensation of sand in the eyes? If you experience these symptoms, you may have dry eye. It is a common and uncomfortable eye condition that can affect your vision.
 

Chronic dry eye can lead to infection and damage to the eye surface. It usually occurs when the eyes fail to produce adequate or good-quality tears. Here are signs that you should visit an optometrist for dry eye.

Eye Pain or Burning Sensation

If you experience severe pain or a burning sensation in your eye, you need to visit an eye specialist. Pain and burning or stinging are common symptoms of dry eye. You may experience relief when you use lubricating eye drops, but chronic dry eye might not respond to the drops. 
 

If not treated, the condition can cause infection or cause corneal ulcers. Visiting an eye doctor will help ensure that you receive adequate treatment. 

You Experience Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is a common symptom of several eye conditions or diseases. If you are experiencing blurry vision, it may be due to dry eye. When the eyes are dry, it will affect your vision. You may find you need to blink several times to clear your vision. 
 

Applying OTC eye drops may help, but this is often a temporary solution. If the condition persists, visit an optometrist, who can recommend other treatments that may include prescription eye drops. 

Extreme Light Sensitivity

Most people experience mild sensitivity to light at some point. This is usually temporary, and it goes away without treatment. If you have photophobia or extreme light sensitivity, you need to visit an eye specialist. 

People with photophobia often experience headaches, eye pain, and redness after exposure to fluorescent lights and sunlight or watching TV. Using a computer or digital device can also trigger the symptoms that can be signs of dry eye. 

Difficulty Wearing Contacts 

If you find it difficult to wear your contact lenses, you should visit an optometrist for a dry eye checkup. You may also find that you often struggle to remove the lenses. The lack of lubrication in your eyes can make it difficult to remove them. 

If you try to force the lenses out, you can injure your eye. You risk scratching the sensitive eye surface, which can lead to infection. If you want to wear contacts, the optometrist can recommend specialty lenses for your condition.

Frequent Use of Eye Drops

If you need to use OTC eye drops several times a day, you should visit an eye doctor. Eye drops can offer relief from dry eye, but too much use can have long-term harmful effects. Frequent eye drop use may result from using the wrong product for your condition. 
 

An eye specialist will prescribe the right lubricating drops based on the condition's underlying cause. The doctor may also recommend alternative treatment for the dryness. 

Dry eye can result from the medication you are taking or an underlying health condition. If you have dry eyes, you should not ignore the condition. It would help if you visit an eye specialist who can recommend the best treatment for you. Issues such as hormonal changes and environmental factors can worsen dry eye. 

For more on the signs that you should visit an optometrist for dry eye, visit In Focus Vision Center at our office in Piscataway, New Jersey. You can call (732) 313-2570 today to schedule an appointment.