Dry eye and eye floaters are common problems, and many people deal with these throughout life. Both affect the eyes, and both can be extremely irritating. So does dry eye cause floaters, or is there something more to it?
Dry eye and floaters don’t directly cause one another. However, these conditions share some common causes. When these overlap, it can cause floaters and dryness simultaneously.
If you frequently notice dry eyes and floaters, visit your optometrist. They can assess your eye health and determine what’s causing your symptoms.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is an eye condition linked to an imbalance of the tear film. It occurs when your tears can’t fully protect the eyes. Either:
- The eye can’t produce enough tears due to a lack of moisture, or
- The eye can’t produce tears of high enough quality
Your tears are responsible for keeping your eyes protected. They flush away harmful particles and provide a smooth surface for light to pass through. They need a proper balance of oil, water, and mucous to function properly—if unbalanced, the tear film can’t do its job.
This imbalance causes a range of uncomfortable symptoms, like burning and stinging sensations.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Several factors can lead to dry eye. One common cause is a problem with the meibomian glands, the tiny glands running through your eyelids. They produce oils to protect the tear film, but sometimes become blocked or obstructed. This causes the tear film to evaporate and leaves the eye exposed.
Dry eye can also develop due to:
- Age, as tear production tends to decrease with age
- Exposure to dry, windy, or smoky environments
- Dehydration, poor diet, or nutritional deficiencies
- Medications, including antihistamines or diuretics
- Underlying health conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome
Dry eye affects millions of people globally, but the severity can vary. For some, it’s a manageable annoyance, while others may find it significantly impacts their day-to-day life.
Recognizing Dry Eye: What Are The Symptoms?
Some dry eye symptoms are more common than others. Though specifics can vary, dry eye often causes symptoms like:
- A sensation of burning or stinging in your eyes
- Redness or irritation, especially after prolonged screen use
- A gritty or sandy feeling, as though something is in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurred or fluctuating vision that often clears with blinking
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses comfortably
If these sound familiar, it’s time to think about treatment. Dry eye should always be taken seriously, as it’s not just temporary—it can cause permanent vision changes if left unmanaged.
What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters are a little different. These are tiny shapes and shadows seen drifting across your field of vision. Eye floaters are especially noticeable when you look at a bright surface like a white wall or a clear blue sky.
Floaters are linked to changes in the vitreous humour. This is the gel-like substance filling the inside of your eye. As you age, this gel slowly shrinks, causing tiny clumps inside. These clumps cast shadows on your retina, and that’s what you perceive as floaters.
However, floaters can also develop due to:
- Eye inflammation from autoimmune conditions or infections
- Previous eye surgeries, like cataract removal, or eye trauma
- High myopia (nearsightedness), where floaters are more likely to develop early
- Any damage to the retina, including tears or detachment
If you’ve noticed floaters becoming more obvious, visit your optometrist as soon as you can. Not every floater indicates a problem, but some situations call for closer attention.
When To Visit An Optometrist About Eye Floaters
Everybody deals with floaters at some point or another. These are extremely common, and they aren’t always a significant issue. However, sudden or dramatic changes in your vision often signal a serious issue.
Here are signs you shouldn’t ignore:
- A sudden increase in the number or size of floaters
- Flashes of light accompanying the floaters
- A loss of peripheral or side vision
- A dark “curtain” or shadow spreading across your vision
If you notice any of these, consider it an eye emergency. Immediately visit your optometrist or seek medical attention. These symptoms indicate damage to the physical structures of the eye, which can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.
Are Floaters & Dry Eye Linked?
Floaters and dry eye are often mistaken as similar. However, they’re different—dry eye affects the front surface of the eyes while floaters exist inside the eye itself. Even though they’re different conditions, they may appear simultaneously.
Dry eye and floaters can develop as a result of the same underlying cause. Some common causes of both dry eye and floaters include:
- Aging
- Eye injuries
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Inflammation
- Autoimmune disorders
These all impact both the tear film and the make-up of the vitreous humour. This can trigger the inflammation that offsets both conditions.
But while these conditions share some similar causes, they don’t directly cause one another. They both require their own unique treatments, so visiting an optometrist is essential.
Keeping Your Vision Clear
Your eye health plays a significant role in how you experience the world around you. Whether you’re managing dry eye, dealing with floaters, or both, our team at Waterloo Vision Care Clinic can help. With our team at your side, you can enjoy clear and comfortable vision once more. Book an appointment with us today!
