Some of us take clear vision for granted until it begins to falter. Experiencing blurry or fluctuating vision doesn’t always mean it’s time for an updated vision prescription. Sometimes these may be symptoms of an underlying eye concern.
When the eyes are dry, their surface becomes rough and irregular, causing incoming light to scatter instead of focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurry or fluctuating vision, even while wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Eye health and corrective lenses must function harmoniously for clear, sharp vision. An eye exam can determine whether fluctuating vision is because of visual changes or an underlying concern, like dry eyes.
Defining Dry Eyes
Dryness is a hallmark feature of dry eyes, a chronic condition that develops when your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears or when they evaporate too quickly from the eye’s surface.
The persistent irritation, grittiness, and discomfort resulting from this condition are more than a minor inconvenience. It can make everyday tasks, like reading, driving, and computer work, more difficult and frustrating, negatively affecting your quality of life.
Your tears serve a functional purpose beyond expressing our emotions. The tear film comprises three layers–a mucus layer, a watery layer, and an oily layer—that work together to nourish and protect your eye.
When this delicate balance of any layer of the tear film is disturbed, it can lead to dry eyes. For example, if the oily layer is insufficient–most commonly from clogged meibomian glands along the eyelids–your tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in dryness.
Common dry eye symptoms include:
- Redness
- Eye fatigue
- Watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Burning, stinging, or scratchy sensations
- A sensation of something gritty or foreign in the eye
Several factors can disrupt the balance of the tear film and lead to dry eyes, such as:
- Age, since tear production naturally declines as we grow older.
- Exposure to windy, smokey, or dry environments speeds up tear evaporation.
- Excessive time on digital screens. This can reduce blinking and natural tear distribution.
- Improper contact lens wear and care.
- Side effects of certain medications or certain medications can impact tear production.
Ongoing discomfort and inconvenience in daily life aren’t the only reasons dry eye management is recommended. When left untreated, chronic dryness can erode your cornea and inflame eye tissues, increasing your risk for infections. This causes lasting damage, negatively affecting vision and eye health.
How Dry Eyes Affect Visual Clarity
Dry eyes can cause blurry vision because the health of the corneal surface plays a role in how well light enters the eye, affecting visual clarity.
Your eyes rely on a healthy tear film to bend light correctly onto the retina, located at the back of your eye. Think of your tear film as the glass on a camera lens. When the corneal surface is smooth, light enters the eye in an orderly way, resulting in sharp vision.
When the eyes are dry, the tear film can’t adequately hydrate the cornea, creating an irregular and rough surface. This disrupts how light enters the eye. This irregularity scatters light instead of focusing it properly, leading to blurry or fluctuating vision, even while wearing corrective lenses.
Glasses and contacts can’t correct blurry vision caused by dry eyes because they’re designed to correct refractive errors by helping focus light directly on the retina. They can’t compensate for irregularities caused by an unstable tear film.
Therefore, to experience sharp vision, the tear film and corrective lenses need to function harmoniously, underscoring the importance of managing dry eyes.
Managing Dry Eye
Managing dry eyes ranges from at-home remedies to advanced therapies, and they aim to relieve symptoms. Remaining consistent with these strategies is key for long-term relief, and a dry eye consultation with your eye doctor is the first step in the right direction.
During this evaluation, your eye doctor will assess the health of your tear film and the severity of symptoms to develop a tailored treatment plan designed to offer targeted solutions.
At-home Remedies
From over-the-counter (OTC) solutions to lifestyle changes, consistently implementing at-home remedies can significantly improve dry eye symptoms:
- Preservative-free artificial tears: These eye drops mimic the natural composition of tears, providing immediate hydration to the eye’s surface while replenishing the tear film. If you plan to frequently use these drops, opt for preservative-free formulas.
- Warm compress mask: A warm compress mask is a simple and effective OTC solution for dry eye relief. Heat the mask in the microwave as directed and place it over your closed eyelids. Relax and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Afterward, gently massage around your eyes with your fingertips to help liquefy and unclog blocked oil glands. This process improves oil secretion, stabilizes tears, and enhances eye comfort.
- Omega-3s: Omega-3s reduce inflammation and support healthy tear production. Get them from fatty fish, flaxseeds, walnuts, or supplements. Consult your eye care provider for dosage advice.
- Use a humidifier: Dry, arid environments can worsen dry eye symptoms. Combat dry indoor air by adding moisture to your environment with a humidifier.
- Manage screen time: Take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain. Every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water hydrates your body while promoting tear production. Aim to drink at least 8 cups of water a day!
Advanced Therapies
Advanced therapies are good solutions for those with moderate to severe dry eyes. Using these strategies alongside at-home remedies offers a holistic approach to dry eye management.
- Prescription eye drops: Products like Restasis or Xiidra target inflammation and promote tear production.
- Heating goggles: Comparable to an electric warm compress mask, devices like thermal pulsation systems provide a more intensive approach to stimulating oil gland function along the eyelids.
See Clearly, Live Comfortably
Dry eyes are more than a persistent annoyance. They can cause blurry and fluctuating vision, negatively affecting quality of life.
Fortunately, managing dry eyes is effective and accessible through at-home remedies and advanced therapies.
Connect with our Henderson Vision Centre team to schedule a dry eye consultation appointment for a personalized approach to dry eye management.
