HEALTH

10 signs you may be suffering from dry eyes

21 August, 2021 . 0

An astonishing 77 per cent of Australians have experienced this common but often under treated condition, which is at its worst during winter.

Do you suffer from red, gritty, sore and watery eyes?

If you do and dismiss it as just “tiredness” and the usual stresses and strains of your busy 24/7 modern lifestyle, you’re not alone!

You may actually be experiencing the common disorder that is dry eye syndrome.

And it can play havoc with your quality of life – affecting your ability to read, watch tv, drive and even sleep.

The good news is, once it has been identified that you have dry eye, it can be easily managed.

So, what is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye is a big issue with Australians, with a 2020 report finding over three quarters of us have experienced one or more symptoms.

Caused when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or they evaporate from the eye’s surface too quickly, research has found dry eye is even more common in people aged over 50, particularly women.

And in winter, the colder and drier air makes your eyes more susceptible to drying out, even if you don’t usually have problems.

What are the signs you may be suffering from dry eye?

The condition can be tricky to diagnose. Symptoms can vary widely and dry eye is easily confused with other conditions, such as allergies.

Here are 10 common signs you need to look out for:

A burning sensation
Soreness and stinging in your eyes
Redness
Watery tears (your body’s response to the irritation)
Mucus around the eyelids
Blurry vision
Feeling like you have grit in your eyes
Your eyes get tired easily
Difficulty with night time driving
Sensitivity to light

What causes dry eye?

There are lots of things on top of cold and dry air in winter that can trigger dry eye, including air conditioning, too much screen time, irritants such as pollution and cigarette smoke, certain medications and autoimmune diseases.

How can you relieve dry eye?

Relief from this debilitating condition can be easier than you might think – as easy as two simple drops.

Systane Complete uses unique nano droplet technology to replenish all layers of your tear-film, delivering and retaining moisture in the eye to provide long-lasting comfort from dry eyes.

That’s eight long hours of relief, allowing you to get on with your life and enjoy all those special moments.

*Written by Liz McGrath. This post is brought to you by Alcon (makers of Systane Complete). Always read the label. Follow directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.

References:

DHHS. Dry Eye. Victoria State Government: Better Health Channel 2020 02/09/2020]; Available from:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dry-eye#:~:text=Dry%20eye%20syndrome%20is%20characterised,otherwise%20known%20as%20artificial%20tears.
Esen, K. Akpek., et al., American Journal of Opthalmology, 2020. 210: p. 107-115.
Tong, L., et al., Eye (London), 2010. 24(9): p. 1486-91.
Deschamps, N, et al., The impact of dry eye disease on visual performance while driving. American Journal of Opthalmology, 2013. 156(1): p. 184-189.
Masahiko Ayaki, et al., Sleep disorders are a prevalent and serious comorbidity in dry eye. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 2018. 59: p. 143-150.
Optometry Australia. The 2020 Vision Index.
Ee-Munn Chia., et al., Prevalence and associations of dry eye syndrome in an older population: Blue Mountains stud. Clinical and Experimental Opthalmology, 2003. 31(3): p. 229-32
Cintia S. de Paiva., Effects of aging in dry eye. International Opthalmology Clinics, 2017. 57(2); p. 47-64.
Davis, J.A., et al., Seasonal changes in dry eye symptomatology. Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 2006. 47(13): p. 208.
Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Dry eyes. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863
Alcon data on file, 2013. Nanoemulsion for MGD [DMGD001] (Available on request).
Alcon data on file, 2020. CDMGD0012401. Available on request.
Silverstein et al. Symptom Relief Following a Single Dose of Propylene Glycol-Hydroxypropyl Guar Nanoemulsion with Patients with Dry Eye Disease: A Phase IV, Multicenter Trial. Clin Ophthalmol 2020; 14:3167-3177. Sponsored by Alcon.
Torkildsen, G. Workman, D. et al., Review of Ophthalmology, 2005. Available from: https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/dry-eye-or-allergy-how-to-make-the-call