Common Complications of Dry Eye

Common Complications of Dry Eye

Tears are necessary to maintain your eye health. If your eyes cannot produce enough tears, then it leads to dryness. Many people do not bother about mild eye dryness. However, it can lead to multiple complications if left untreated. Hence, you must not ignore this condition. This article lists a few complications related to untreated dry eye.

1. Chronic headache
We all know the perils of a headache, and current research shows that it can be related to dry eye. According to a new study, dry eye is more common in people who experience migraines, indicating a correlation. Hence, treating dry eye before it is too late is essential to avoid chronic headaches.

2. Conjunctivitis
The inner surface of the eyelids and the front part of the eye have a layer of protective cells, known as conjunctiva. If you do not treat dry eye in time, it can lead to inflammation in this area, resulting in conjunctivitis. Its symptoms include sensitivity, redness, and irritation.

3. Corneal ulcers
Your cornea can develop open sores for different reasons, one of which is dry eye. This is one of the severe complications of dry eye, as a lack of tears can result in dirt particles accumulating in your eyes. These particles can disturb the cornea, possibly leading to bacterial infections and ulcers.

4. Psychological complications
Dry eye can degrade your quality of life, leading to depression. Studies have shown that people with dry eye are quite prone to anxiety and emotional stress.

A blurry vision makes life difficult, as it can make driving, reading, or working rather challenging. You may believe that your blurry vision is a result of a change in eye power, but dry eye can also cause it. Untreated dry eye make the blurriness even worse over time, and can also result in double vision.

If the dryness in the eye becomes severe, then you may develop sensitivity to light and a constant feeling that there is something in your eyes. This can make it hard for you to keep your eyes open. You may even find it hard to wear contact lenses with this condition. Dry eye can result in the contact lenses sticking to your eyes, causing significant irritation.

While artificial tears help reduce the symptoms of dry eye, it is vital to visit an ophthalmologist to get the appropriate treatment for your specific condition.