Can you experience dry eye and cloudy vision at the same time? Yes—many people experience dry eyes and cloudy vision simultaneously. Having both of these symptoms together can impact both your ability to focus as well as your overall quality of life.
Understanding what causes these issues and how to prevent them can make a positive difference to your eye health. If you think you may have dry eye, talk to your optometrist during your next eye exam and find out whether you might be a good candidate for dry eye therapy.
About Dry Eye (Ocular Surface Disease)
Dry eye, also known as ocular surface disease, occurs when your eyes don’t make enough tears or when the tears you make don’t have the right chemical balance to properly lubricate your eyes.
Causes of Dry Eye
Many factors can contribute to dry eye, including:
- Environmental conditions: Wind, air pollution, and dry climates with low humidity can lead to dry eyes.
- Existing health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease, are associated with dry eye.
- Medications: Medications associated with dry eye include antidepressants, antihistamines, and oral contraceptives.
- Other biological factors: Hormonal changes, aging, and your genetics and family history may also be factors in your dry eyes.
Dry Eye Symptoms
Some common symptoms of dry eye to watch out for include
- Red, irritated eyes
- A burning or gritty sensation (like sand in your eyes)
- Excessive tearing (this is your eyes trying to compensate for the dryness)
- Sensitivity to light
- A feeling like there’s something in your eye
Dry Eye & Eye Health
Untreated, chronic dry eye can have a negative effect on eye health. For example, chronic dry eye can scratch or even scar the corneal tissues of the eye. Having dry eyes can also make wearing contact lenses more uncomfortable, interfering with everyday vision.
Dry Eye & Cloudy Vision
If you have cloudy vision and it improves when you blink, your cloudy vision may be due to dry eye syndrome. This is because dry eye can lead to film developing of your eyes.
If, however, your cloudy vision doesn’t improve when you blink, or if it only occurs in one eye, then your cloudy vision may be caused by other eye conditions, some of which may be serious. Make sure to schedule an appointment with your optometrist.
How to Deal With Dry Eye & Cloudy Vision
Dealing with dry eye may seem challenging, but there are solutions available. Talk to your optometrist about dry eye treatments like prescription or over-the-counter eye drops or other therapies like punctal plugs.
Diagnosing Dry Eye
An accurate diagnosis is essential to tackling dry eye. During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist may:
- Review your health and lifestyle: Sharing details about your daily activities and health conditions can help identify potential triggers.
- Use a slit lamp: This is a high-powered microscope that an optometrist can use to look more closely into the quality of your tears.
- Perform imaging tests: Modern imaging tools can assess how well glands in the eyes are working.
Dry Eye Treatments
While dry eye is often a chronic condition, it’s also a manageable one. There are a variety of treatments you and your optometrist can explore, such as:
- Artificial tears: Lubricating eye drops are a common first line of treatment. You can also try a warm compress.
- Lifestyle and environmental adjustments: Sometimes, simple changes to your environment can alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. Try using a humidifier, take regular breaks from screens, avoid windy environments, make sure to get enough quality sleep, and stay hydrated.
- Other therapies: Other in-office treatments, like iLux, can target the glands in your eyes responsible for producing the oil in tears. Ask your optometrist for more information.
Preventing Dry Eyes
You can also take steps to prevent or manage dry eyes. Some tips include:
- Adapting your environment: Use a humidifier to keep air moist, especially during winter months. Avoid environments with strong air conditioning, heaters, or fans that dry out the air.
- Protecting yourself in your environment: You can also wear wraparound sunglasses in areas with high winds and air pollution.
- Keeping up good habits: Remember to take frequent breaks from screens. Stay hydrated and prioritize good sleep.
- Find compatible contact lenses: Contact lenses may increase the risk of developing dry eye. Talk to your optometrist about contact lenses designed for those who are prone to dry eye.
Find Dry Eye Treatment at Doctors EyeCare Grand Prairie
At Doctors EyeCare Grand Prairie, our goal is to provide a friendly, professional, and personal eye care experience. If you think you have dry eye, take our quiz to see if you’re a candidate for dry eye therapy. We’d be happy to meet you, answer your questions, and help you find a treatment plan that aligns with your needs.Comfortable vision is important for work, school, and everyday enjoyment of life. So, don’t hesitate to contact us to book your next eye appointment. Have questions? Take a look at our FAQ for answers to popular questions about insurance, eye exams, and choosing eyewear. We hope to see you soon!
