Key Takeaways
- Dry spots on the surface of your eyes scatter light and blur your sight.
- Blinking less during screen time dries out natural moisture quickly.
- Your eyes try to compensate for dryness with watery tears, but these tears often lack the oils needed to provide real comfort.
- An Optometrist Calgary SW can offer treatments to help eyes hold moisture longer.
Blurry Vision Is a Symptom of Dry Eee
Maybe you notice the text on your phone screen fading in and out of focus after a long afternoon. Or maybe sometimes you have to rub your eyelids and blink a bit just to read a simple text message. These are both signs of dry eyes.
Dry eyes can cause blurry vision and make everyday tasks more difficult. If you’re living with this discomfort, our team at Eye Care Studio can recommend a dry eye treatment that targets the root causes of your discomfort.
The Connection Between Dry Eyes And Blurry Vision
How Tears Keep Your Sight Clear
A healthy layer of tears washes dust and other particles away from the surface of your eyes. This helps keep your eyes comfortable.
When your tear film isn’t working properly, the surface of your eyes may become dry. This creates rough patches on the clear, front dome of your eyes, which in turn causes incoming light to scatter rather than focusing properly. The result is blurry vision.
The Reason for Watery Eyes
One unexpected symptom of dry eyes is watery vision. This happens when your body produces extra tears in an attempt to counteract dryness. However, these reflex tears evaporate too quickly to offer real comfort. They lack the oils needed to lubricate the surface of your eyes properly.
Signs Your Blurry Vision Comes from Dry Eyes
Common symptoms of dry eyes include:
- Redness
- Blurry vision
- Stinging
- Stinging, scratchy, or burning sensations
- Light sensitivity
- Watery eyes (as discussed above)
If some of these symptoms sound familiar, a comprehensive eye exam gives your optometrist a chance to identify the cause of your discomfort and recommend a treatment option.
Common Reasons for Dry Eyes & Blur
Screens & Digital Eye Strain
Your blink rate drops significantly when you focus on a digital screen. Blinking is one of the main ways that your eyes can lubricate themselves, so reduced blink rates result in increased dryness.
If you spend a lot of time in front of screens, you may be at risk of digital eye strain in addition to having dry eyes.
Environment And Daily Habits
Both windy and cold weather can dry out your tear film, while indoor heating and air conditioning strip moisture out of the air.
Contact lenses absorb some of the natural moisture from your eyes, so switching to glasses may help with persistent symptoms. Alternatively, some contact lenses are designed for people prone to dry eye and are therefore less disruptive to your tear film. New lenses might be worth a try.
Important Signs to Watch For
How Long Your Blurry Vision Lasts
Blurriness caused by dry eye tends to come and go during the day. Symptoms often worsen after a long period of digital screen use or reading. Clear vision often returns if you blink and give your eyes a few moments to rest.
When to Seek Professional Care
You shouldn’t ignore sudden or severe changes in your vision. Blurriness that doesn’t come and go but lasts for long periods of time needs to be looked at by a professional.
Ways to Manage Dry Eyes & Clear Your Vision
Simple Home Care Steps
While dry eye often requires the attention of your optometrist, there are a few simple things you can do to find at least a bit of relief:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes time to rest and makes you less susceptible to eye strain.
- Apply a warm eye compress to help loosen blocked oil glands along your lash line.
- Drink plenty of water to stay fully hydrated. Your body needs water to produce healthy tears.
Professional Care Options
Sometimes, at-home habits just don’t offer enough relief. As your optometrist in Calgary SW, our friendly team at Eye Care Studio can offer in-office therapies tailored to your lifestyle and needs.
Call us today to schedule a comfortable and informative visit.
