If you work in front of a computer or use your phone for a long time, then you must have experienced dry eyes. This type of condition is also called dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which occurs when our eyes do not produce enough tears or it evaporate too quickly. Yes, you read it right, our eyes constantly produce liquid to lubricate and promote clear vision.
But the question here arises: do dry eyes cause blindness? If yes, then how can it damage your eyes? Well, to know this answer, you need to understand how dry eyes syndrome occurs in detail, which we have discussed below.
How Does The Human Eye Get Dry?
As we have discussed earlier, our eyes require lubrication just like a machine to work properly and provide clear vision. And each organ of the human body is designed in such an amazing way that it has a solution to every issue that occurs in humans. In the same way, our eyes also produce fluid-like tears that provide lubrication while nourishing and protecting the cornea.
Here, you don’t get confused by the word “tears” that comes out when we feel sad or cry. The tears mainly occur to create “tear film,” a protective layer that secures the eye from damage and moisturizes them. This film is made of three layers, namely, fat-based oil, a watery fluid, and mucus, which lubricate and clear the vision.
The problem occurs when the eyes are unable to create a moist film around the cornea, which affects the functionality of the eye. In such conditions, you tend to experience discomfort, which may include irritation and red eyes with blurry vision. In addition, a person may also face sensitivity issues to light, even eye fatigue and burning sensation.
The good news is that mild cases can be cured by home remedies or using eye drops. But the thing here to note is that if you leave it untreated for a long time, it can damage the cornea and may cause poor vision and even blindness. Well, loss of vision can only be caused if you don’t implement any treatment procedure for a long time.
Do Dry Eyes Really Make You Blind? If Yes, Then How?
Occurring dry eye syndrome is a common issue that is caused by an infection in the cornea. It is a naturally occurring symptom that tends to heal itself within 1 to 3 days. Most people use home remedies or medication such as eye drops as soon as possible.
The problem occurs when you leave it untreated for weeks and even months, which causes severe damage to the cornea. Such conditions are commonly called corneal ulcers or abnormalities, which may lead to scarring on the cornea. This prolonged dryness and irritation can cause serious damage to the eye and may result in partial vision and even blindness.
Hence, this is a rare condition that potentially happens when you completely leave your dry eyes untreated. Therefore, it is recommended to take instant action when you experience blurry vision or any type of irritation in your eye. To treat them well, it is essential to identify the symptoms that are caused due to dry eyes.
What Are The Causes Behind The Occurrence Of Dry Eyes?
Dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca can be caused due to various circumstances. Some of the common factors that you must know are the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) or, in other words, Blepharitis. It is a condition when oil glands get blocked because the eye is unable to produce the fluid, which results in inflammation in the cornea.
Apart from MGD, age and sex are other factors that can result in the occurrence of dry eyes more often. Studies have found that people over age 50 are more likely to develop dry eye. The hormonal changes are an equal contributor to such type of syndrome, especially in women, which occurs during pregnancy or even due to menopause.
Some medical conditions like thyroid problems and vitamin A deficiency are the factors that may lead to blurry vision and irritation. Here, you also need to know that the side effects of specific medications like anti-depressants and high blood pressure medication can also result in dry eyes. This medical condition can cause scratching in the cornea, which may lead to permanent damage to the eye.
But, all these causes the dry eye mostly occur due to excessive screen time in electronic gadgets. Nowadays, people are more inclined to use their digital devices without taking a break, which is causing some serious damage to their cornea. This is one of the potential causes of scratches in your eye, which may permanently damage your eye.
Therefore, it is recommended to use it to shorten your screen time as much as you can. Additionally, you can use blue-ray aspects to prevent damage while working on your laptop or using your phone. Try to take a break after every 15 to 30 minutes so that eye functionality doesn’t get affected.
What Are The Different Ways To Prevent Dry Eyes?
Till now, you might have understood that dry eyes cannot cause blindness directly, and the chances are minimal. Still, it is a good idea to take some precautionary steps to prevent the symptoms that can potentially cause dry eyes syndrome. The first and most significant step is to change your lifestyle and use prescribed eyedrops when you feel irritation and experience blurry vision.
Conclusion
Now, we can conclude that dry eyes don’t cause blindness or permanent vision problems. Some of the factors are medicinal side effects and excessive use of digital devices. If these dry eye syndromes are left untreated for a long time, they cause infection and damage your cornea.
Therefore, it is essential to consult an ophthalmologist to determine the underlying cause and implement an appropriate management strategy. But why consult an eye care professional? You can treat it at home and take precautionary steps to avoid such conditions, as we have mentioned in this article.
