Dry Eye Symptoms

Dryness      Gritty sensation         Burning        Feeling of something in the eye Irritation      Sandy sensation       Stinging         Light sensitivity      Painful   

Itching         Film over vision         Discomfort    Inflammation         Soreness

Mucus          Stringy Dischare       Crusts            Blurred/Fluctuating Vision

Poor vision quality (needing to blink to see better) 

Significant discomfort/or inability to wear contacts

Believe it or not, red or irritated eyes are not the only problem in dry eye disease. Watering and tearing is a very common symptom of dry eye disease as well.

⿸ I have radiating sensations of pain around or behind my eye

⿸ I have radiating sensations of pressure around or behind my eye

⿸ I have a film or deposits on my contact lenses

⿸ My eyes feel tired or fatigued

⿸ My eyelids make a noise when I blink

⿸ I have to physically peel or lift my eyelids up or open

⿸ I’ve been told I sleep with my eyes open

⿸ My eyelashes have been thinning or falling out

⿸ My eyebrows have been thinning or falling out

⿸ I notice frequent redness of my eyelids

⿸ I notice frequent swelling of my eyelids

⿸ I notice frequent itching of my eyelids

⿸ I notice scaly or flaky patches on my eyelids or the skin around my eyes

⿸ I’ve noticed significant darkening of the skin under my eyelids

Because dry eye is a chronic progressive disease with inflammatory components, it's important to seek care if you have any symptoms consistently. However, the symptoms below are often indicative of advanced disease. If you are experiencing any of the following please seek care for your eyes:

⿸ I have to use artificial tears at least 3 times per day or more everyday

⿸ I can’t wear my contact lenses for at least 12 hours 

⿸ I want to wear contact lenses but I can’t anymore due to discomfort

⿸ My eyelids rip the front surface of my eyes when I open them in the morning

⿸ I have to darken the shades inside my house, wear sunglasses indoors, or remove lightbulbs due to my light sensitivity

⿸ I have to stop doing or avoid a particular task altogether because of how my eyes feel

⿸ I have to stop going certain places or don't feel I can leave home for periods of time because of how my eyes feel

⿸ I have to stop doing or avoid a particular task altogether because of how my eyes feel

⿸ I have to end my day early or go to sleep to experience any releif.

⿸ I used to have really bad symptoms of dry eye, but now I don't feel it and my eyes don't really bother me anymore.