Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurry Vision?

Dry eyes are a common, chronic eye condition that can cause discomfort, and irritation, and impact daily living. 

Blurry vision is a common symptom of dry eyes. Therefore, yes, dry eyes can cause blurry vision, even for those who already wear corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses. 

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye disease is a common eye condition that affects roughly 21 million Canadians. Dry eyes are characterized by a gritty, dry sensation in the eyes, feeling almost as if there’s something in the eye. 

Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes or if the quality of your tears is poor. Tears are an important part of maintaining eye health on the eye’s surface providing visual clarity.

There are two main types of dry eyes:

1. Aqueous Dry Eye: This type occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough of the watery component of tears. This lack of moisture can lead to irritation and inflammation on the surface of your eye.
2. Evaporative Dry Eye: This type is most common and happens when the oily layer of your tears is deficient. Without this layer, your tears can evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes dry and uncomfortable. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of evaporative dry eye, which causes oil glands along the eyelids to clog, reducing the oil secretion necessary to prevent tear evaporation.

Dry eyes aren’t a serious eye condition. It can cause discomfort and irritation which can negatively affect one’s quality of life. If dry eyes are left unmanaged it can increase your risk of developing serious eye conditions like infections, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and in severe cases loss of vision. 

Common symptoms of dry eyes include: 

• Red eyes 
• Watery eyes 
• Tingling or burning sensation
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision

To prevent long-term damage associated with untreated dry eyes, it’s important to visit your optometrist if you experience persistent symptoms.

Factors that contribute to developing dry eyes include: 

• Age
• Environmental conditions (dry climates, wind, smoke)
• Certain medications
• Poor contact lens wear and care
• Lifestyle choices like prolonged screen time.

How Dry Eye Impacts Vision

Dry eyes can have a significant impact on your vision and overall quality of life.

When your eyes are dry, they struggle to maintain the moisture needed to keep the surface of the eye smooth and clear. This can result in fluctuating vision and discomfort, making everyday tasks more challenging. 

Can Dry Eyes Cause Blurry Vision?

Yes, dry eye can result in blurry vision. When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, the surface of your eye becomes irregular and rough. This can cause light to scatter leading to blurry vision, making it difficult to focus clearly on objects. This is why blurry vision is a common dry eye symptom. 

Blurry vision as a symptom of dry eyes can affect any individual, regardless of the status of your vision prescription. For those who don’t require corrective lenses, sudden blurry vision may be a symptom of dry eyes and not a reflection of a refractive error. 

Individuals who wear glasses or contact can also experience blurry vision from dry eyes. Wearing corrective lenses doesn’t alleviate dryness, which is why blurry vision will persist if dryness remains unmanaged. 

How Blurry Vision Affects the Eyes

Blurry vision caused by dry eye can make it hard to read, drive, or work on the computer. It can also strain your eyes, leading to headaches and further discomfort. If left untreated, this could interfere with your daily activities and reduce your overall quality of life.

Dry Eye Treatments

Dry eyes are a chronic condition and while there’s no cure, there are several options available to manage and treat symptoms, ranging from advanced therapies to home remedies. 

Visiting your optometrist for a dry eye assessment can help determine a suitable treatment option tailored to your specific ocular needs. During your visit, your optometrist will examine the severity of your dry eyes, and your symptoms, and assess your ocular health. This can help identify the root cause of your dryness.

Advanced Dry Eye Therapies 

At MB Optometry we offer several advanced therapy options, two of which are provided in-clinic: 

• Radiofrequency treatment
• Intense Pulse Light Therapy
• Digital eye mask

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is a non-invasive therapeutic procedure that uses radiofrequency waves to generate heat. The heat promotes blood circulation to gently stimulate the meibomian glands, so that they can secrete oil to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly, thereby making sure that the eyes remain well-lubricated.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy works similarly to RF treatment. This non-invasive device uses bursts of light at specific wavelengths to gently penetrate the skin, stimulating clogged meibomian glands to keep the tear film stable and lubricated.

A Digital eye mask is an advanced dry eye therapy option that can be used at home. This mask is placed over your eyes and uses heat and vibrations (a massage effect) to stimulate clogged meibomian glands and promote healthy tear production. 

Home Remedies

Home remedies can be found over the counter and can be used in conjunction with advanced therapy options to provide long-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms.

• Artificial Tears: Preservative-free artificial tears are a supplement to the natural lubrication of your eyes. They mimic the composition of natural tears and provide immediate relief from discomfort associated with dry eyes. These drops add moisture to the eye’s surface to reduce friction and irritation. 

• Lifestyle Changes: Drinking more water, minimizing screen time before bed, and using a humidifier to enhance a dry environment can help keep your eyes moist.
• Vitamins and Supplements: Incorporating Vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids into your diet or as supplements can improve tear production and reduce inflammation.
• Warm Compress: This works as a manual substitute for a digital eye mask. Placing a warm compress over the eyes and massaging around the area for a few minutes can help unclog oil glands and reduce inflammation around the eyes. 

Schedule a Visit! 

Dry eyes are a chronic eye condition prevalent among many Canadians. To promote good ocular health and visual clarity, visit your optometrist if your dry eye symptoms persist.Connect with our team at MB Optometry to schedule an appointment for your dry eye consultation and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.