What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome?

If you're feeling the adverse effects of dry eye syndrome in the greater Chicago area, timely treatment can help restore your eye comfort. The dryness, irritation, hazy vision, and other unpleasant symptoms of this all-too-common disorder can drain your energy and rob your joy of daily focus. Because who can properly concentrate at work or school when struggling with ocular annoyances?

Numerous factors influence the prevalence and severity of dry eyes, but we're here to formulate a treatment strategy for optimal results. So, if you're seeking relief, contact us to schedule an appointment with board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Daniel Tepper at Wickerpark Eye Center.

What are the symptoms of dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye syndrome has many symptoms that transcend the annoyance of dryness. For example, many patients struggle with red eyes, irritation, or persistent discomfort, especially while wearing contact lenses. Another common complaint is foreign object sensation, the feeling that something (like a speck of dust or another particle) is stuck in your eye.

Other patients also feel that their eyes are heavy, sore, or painful. In addition to these symptoms, many individuals suffer visual troubles like haziness and difficulty seeing at night. Light sensitivity may occur as well. Counter-intuitively, some patients also experience excessive tearing or watery eyes – in an attempt to solve the problem of dryness, sometimes the eyes will trigger extra tearing to compensate for the condition.

And while some of these symptoms may be felt by many people from time to time, it's in one's best interest to pursue a professional eye exam and treatment if they occur persistently and detract from your ability to excel at school, work, or other daily obligations.

What are the causes of dry eye syndrome?

Many factors influence dry eye syndrome. Aging increases the prevalence of dry eyes, as does eye strain or a potential hormone imbalance. Furthermore, women are more likely to experience ocular dryness. Skin conditions can also be influential, as are various medications, including birth control, antihistamines, acne medications, antidepressants, and others.

Yet, the primary two causes of dry eyes are an underproduction of tears or reduced tear quality. Beyond just water, tears also contain layers of oil and mucus. Together, these three substances provide multifunctional tears that spread across the eyes' surfaces, offer lubrication and protection, and reduce evaporation so that tears don't disappear prematurely.

So, it's in your best interest to seek dry eye help as soon as possible since failure to treat this disorder can quickly hamper your habits. Additionally, your eyes are at greater risk of injury (such as corneal abrasions) and visual problems if they can't benefit from the protective, hydrating capabilities of tears.

Deal with dry eyes today and find relief in Chicago

Dry eye syndrome may be exacerbated by an underlying condition. Or, the symptoms of a different disorder could be masquerading as dry eyes. So it's vital to consult with Dr. Daniel Tepper to gain peace of mind, protect your ocular health, and find relief from dryness. To win back your eye comfort, get in touch with us today at Wickerpark Eye Center in Chicago, IL.