Dry eye is often thought of as a minor irritation, but for some people, it can develop into more than just dryness and discomfort. Left untreated, severe dry eye may cause lasting damage to the cornea and even threaten vision. However, with early diagnosis and proper care, serious complications can be preventable.
In severe cases, dry eye may sometimes result in vision loss. However, proactive treatment and regular eye exams can help protect your long-term eye health.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when your tears evaporate too quickly due to an imbalance in their composition. This lack of adequate lubrication can create problems that extend beyond discomfort.
Your tears consist of three essential layers: an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucus inner layer. When any of these components becomes compromised, your tear film becomes unstable.
Common signs of dry eye include:
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Redness and inflammation
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Excessive tearing (your eyes overcompensating for dryness)
- A gritty feeling
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
What Causes Dry Eye?
Multiple factors can contribute to dry eye development, often working together to create persistent symptoms.
- Age-related changes: Aging naturally reduces tear production, particularly affecting adults over 50. Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can impact tear quality and quantity.
- Environmental factors: Wind, smoke, air conditioning, and low humidity environments accelerate tear evaporation.
- Digital device use: Extended screen time reduces your blink rate, preventing proper tear distribution across your eye surface.
- Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome and diabetes commonly cause dry eyes.
- Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and birth control pills, among others, can all reduce tear quantity or quality.
- Contact lens wear: Older or poorly fitting lenses can disrupt the tear film and accelerate evaporation.
How Dry Eye Can Threaten Vision
While dry eye rarely causes complete blindness, severe cases can lead to significant vision complications when left untreated.
Corneal Damage & Scarring
The cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, needs constant lubrication to remain smooth and transparent. Without enough tears, damage can develop, causing discomfort and light sensitivity. Repeated damage may lead to scarring that blocks light and distorts vision, potentially resulting in lasting vision loss.
Increased Infection Risk
Tears serve as your eyes’ natural defence system, washing away debris and providing antibacterial proteins. Reduced tear production compromises this protection, increasing infection susceptibility.
- Bacterial infections can develop when harmful bacteria aren’t adequately flushed from the eye surface. These infections can progress rapidly, potentially causing corneal ulcers that threaten vision.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye) becomes more likely and may persist longer in dry eyes. While typically not vision-threatening, chronic conjunctivitis can lead to scarring of the conjunctiva.
- Keratitis, inflammation or infection of the cornea, poses the greatest risk. Bacterial, viral, or fungal keratitis can cause rapid corneal destruction if not treated promptly. In severe cases, corneal perforation may occur, requiring emergency surgical intervention.
Chronic Inflammation
Dry eyes often create a cycle of inflammation that damages the glands responsible for healthy tears. Blocked meibomian glands reduce the oil layer, leading to faster tear evaporation, while damage to your goblet cells limits mucus production. Together, this causes uneven tear distribution, worsening irritation over time.
Professional Dry Eye Treatment
Fortunately, in-office dry eye treatments can help to address symptoms and lead to improved eye health.
In-Office Procedures
- BlephEx treatment removes bacterial biofilm and debris from your eyelid margins.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy combined with low-level light therapy (LLLT) targets inflammation around your meibomian glands.
- TempSure Envi uses radiofrequency energy to gently heat your meibomian glands, melting hardened oils and improving gland function.
- iLux treatment applies controlled heat and pressure to your eyelids, effectively expressing blocked glands and restoring proper oil flow.
- TrueTear offers drug-free symptom relief by stimulating your natural tear production through gentle nasal neurostimulation.
Prescription Treatments
When over-the-counter solutions aren’t sufficient, prescription medications can provide more targeted relief.
- Anti-inflammatory drops reduce the underlying inflammation that perpetuates dry eye symptoms.
- PRN Omega-3 supplements provide fatty acids that support healthy tear production and reduce inflammation throughout your body.
Preventing Vision Loss From Dry Eye
Early intervention is important for preventing serious complications. Here are a few suggestions:
Regular Eye Exams
Comprehensive eye exams allow your optometrist to detect changes caused by dry eye before you notice symptoms. We use a variety of tests to evaluate your tear film quality, quantity, and stability. This includes assessing your meibomian gland function, measuring tear production rates, and examining your corneal surface for early signs of damage.
At-Home Management
- Warm compresses applied for 10-15 minutes daily help soften hardened oils in your meibomian glands.
- Artificial tears can provide temporary relief from dry eye symptoms.
- Environmental modifications can significantly reduce symptoms. Use humidifiers during dry seasons, position computer screens below eye level to reduce lid aperture, and take regular breaks from digital devices.
- Omega-3 supplements from reputable sources may improve tear quality and reduce inflammation when taken consistently over several months.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking adequate water throughout the day. Dehydration affects tear production and quality.
- Protect your eyes from environmental irritants with wraparound sunglasses when outdoors. This reduces wind exposure and UV damage that can worsen dry eye symptoms.
- Practice good eyelid hygiene by gently cleaning your lash line with warm water and mild cleansers designed for eye use.
Protecting Your Vision Health
At Calgary Trail Vision Centre, we’re passionate about helping Edmonton families maintain healthy, comfortable vision. Our comprehensive dry eye clinic offers the latest treatments and technology to address your specific needs. Whether you’re experiencing early symptoms or dealing with persistent discomfort, we can help you find relief and protect your long-term eye health.
Don’t let dry eye compromise your vision or quality of life. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam with Calgary Trail Vision Centre today.