Dry eyes might seem like an innocuous nuisance, just a bit of itchiness or blurry vision, right? But if ignored, dry eyes may lead to more serious complications. One of the most common concerns people have is: can dry eyes cause blindness?

What Are Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes occur when your eyes either do not produce sufficient tears, or when their tears evaporate too quickly. This can result in:

• Redness
• Burning
• Grittiness (like sand in our eyes)
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light

While dry eyes are a fairly common ailment, those who tend to stare at computer screens for several hours, or have contact lenses, who live in an arid climate, or have certain medical conditions, are more likely to encounter dry eyes.

Can Dry Eyes Cause Blindness?

No, not directly. Dry eyes do not typically cause blindness, but in severe or untreated dry eye syndrome, the dry syndrome can affect the surface of your eye (cornea) and possibly result in the loss of vision in an extreme case.

How can this happen?

This is how chronic dry eyes can reach the point of becoming dangerous:

1. Corneal Damage

The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of your eye. When your eye does not produce enough tears, it cannot provide sufficient protection for the cornea, which means it can then be subject to:

• Scratches or abrasions,
• Ulcers (open sores),
• Infections.

2. Inflammation & Scarring

The inflammation produced by prolonged dry eyes can result in scars on their corneal tissue, which can permanently affect vision clarity.

3. Heightened Infection Risk

Tears keep your eyes clear of bacteria. If you have low tear levels, you’re more likely to develop an infection such as keratitis, that can cause permanent vision loss if it is untreated.

4. Delayed Recovery

Even minor injuries to the eye are more likely to take longer to heal if there is not enough moisture present in the eye; with a greater risk of complications arising.

What are the risk factors?

You are more likely to experience significant dry eyes if you:

• Use screens for many hours without blinking enough
• Wear contact lenses regularly
• Are over age 50
• Are female (especially postmenopausal)
• Have autoimmune disorders (like Sjögren’s syndrome)

Take medications (such as antihistamines, antidepressants or blood pressure medications)

What Can You Do to Prevent Complications?

Dry eyes can be solved, and the earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances of avoiding serious problems.

Tips for eye health:

• Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops
• Follow the 20-20-20 rule during screen time: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
• If your setting is dry, use a humidifier
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to help validate wind and dust
• Stay hydrated and eating foods high in omega-3s (fish or flaxseed)
• See an eye care physician if symptoms persist

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you are experiencing:

• Severe pain
• Photophobia
• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• The sensation of a foreign body in your eye

These symptoms could indicate more serious corneal injury, and you should seek care immediately.

Conclusion

Dry eye can be managed appropriately and isn’t a reason to panic, but dry eye is a concern that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you fail to address dry eye, especially the chronic case where you are not treating it with some form of treatment, you may develop significant vision impairment or even, in rare cases, partial vision loss with corneal damage, or even legal blindness.

If you have dry eyes, itchy eyes or tired eyes – regularly – please take it seriously! Protect your eyes. You only have one pair!

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