How to Self Determine If Your Eyes Are Dry

Dry eye can mean many different things. Most commonly, dry eye is when there is difficulty producing a tear layer over the surface of the eye to keep it lubricated. In some cases, the problem is quantity. There simply is not enough fluid keeping the eye moist. In other cases, the problem is the quality of the tears produced. Self-diagnosis is the first step toward achieving optimum eye health, but make sure you also see a physician.

Instructions

Determining Dry Eye

• 1

  Blink your eyes a couple of times. In some cases, blinking doesn't seem to help wet the eye. If this is your circumstance, you most likely have dry eye.

• 2

  Examine your work area. Do you spend several hours a day looking at a computer screen or television? Are there fluorescent lights in your office? These things contribute to eye strain and can aggravate or, in some cases, cause dry eye.

• 3

  Look in the mirror at your eyes. Do your eyes itch or burn or have redness? Does it often feel as if you have something in your eye? These symptoms can accompany dry eye, but could also be symptoms of other problems such as conjunctivitis (pinkeye), a sty, or the presence of foreign matter on the eyeball. If you have these symptoms, do not self-diagnose. Make an appointment with a doctor.

• 4

  Open your medicine cabinet. Are you using eye drops constantly? Do you need eye drops for relief? This is an indicator of dry eye. Your natural tears should be functioning regularly, and you should not need artificial tears to lubricate the eye. If you find you are constantly using eye drops, you should see your doctor. The doctor can prescribe drops that have a similar chemical consistency to actual tears.