Signs & Symptoms of Dry Eye Damage

Dry eyes happen because your eyes do not produce tears correctly or because the tears are too thick or too thin and evaporate too quickly. If you ignore this condition, inflammation of the surface of the eye may occur along with your dry eyes. Such inflammation can lead to serious problems, including some loss of vision, if left untreated. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, older people often experience dry eyes, but dry eye can occur at any age. Almost five million Americans ages 50 and older have dry eyes.

Blepharitis

• Blepharitis is a malfunction of the oil glands near the base of the eyelashes. Signs and symptoms of blepharitis include watery eyes, a burning sensation in your eyes, itchy, red and swollen eyelids, flaky skin around your eyes, crusty eyelashes when you wake up in the morning or abnormal growth or loss of your eyelashes.

Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctivitis is swelling of the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of your eyeballs. Inflammation of your eyes, a discharge from your eyes that crusts over your eye at night and an enlarged lymph gland in front of your ear may be signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis

Infections

• Having dry eyes leaves you more susceptible to eye infections. If you get an eye infection, you may feel pain in your eye, a feeling that something is your eye, sensitivity to light, a discharge from your eye, eye redness or fever. These symptoms are like other conditions that cause dry eyes. If an infection is left untreated, eye damage can occur.

Keratitis

• Keratitis is a swelling of the cornea. If you have keratitis, you may feel irritation in your eyes, have excess tearing from your eyes and experience light sensitivity or blurred vision. If this is not treated, you may develop a corneal ulcer, which is an open sore on the cornea.

Corneal Ulcer

• Like with keratitis, your may have an irritated feeling in your eyes, an abnormal amount of tearing from your eyes, sensitivity to light or vision blurriness. You may also feel a lot of pain.

Medications

• Certain over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs can cause dry eye damage, so you should use caution when taking them. Among the drugs that dry the eyes are some diuretics, antihistamines, decongestants,some sleeping pills, birth control pills, some antidepressants and morphine and other opiate-based painkillers. While these medications can make your eyes dry, damage should not occur unless you overuse the medications. Consult a doctor if you experience dry eyes while taking any medication.