Dry eye syndrome is a common issue that causes a range of symptoms, from irritation to blurred vision, to redness. But some people with dry eyes also experience dizziness—which raises the question of whether the two are related.
In short, no, dry eyes don’t cause dizziness. However, some of the symptoms of dry eye might indirectly make dizziness more likely.
If you’re experiencing dizziness, or if you’re suffering from dry eye, make sure to get your eyes checked out. Identifying possible issues early makes them easier to manage!
What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes produce too few or poor quality tears. Tears work to keep the surface of your eyes lubricated, so any disruption in tear production can result in a range of troubling and unpleasant symptoms.
While dry eye syndrome can have a few different causes, one frequent culprit is a condition called meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD occurs when the glands that produce oils for your tears become blocked or otherwise stop working properly.
When our tears don’t have the right amount of oil, they evaporate more quickly than they should, leaving the surface of our eyes dry and exposed. This causes irritation, and potentially long-term damage over time.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
People with dry eye syndrome frequently experience:
- Eye redness
- Irritation or a burning sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- A gritty feeling, as though something is in the eye
- Excessive tearing as a reflex to dryness
Symptoms vary from person to person, and may be more or less severe, but even mild dry eye can negatively impact your quality of life.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye can have a variety of causes:
- Too much screen time (we blink less when we’re looking at screens)
- Dry and dusty environments
- Aging
- Medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome
- Contact lens usage
- Temporary causes such as allergies
If left managed, dry eye may also cause more serious issues like chronic inflammation or even damage to the cornea. That’s why it’s important to address symptoms as they appear—and this often means visiting your optometrist!
Does Dry Eye Cause Dizziness?
The short answer is no—dry eye syndrome doesn’t directly cause dizziness. There are, however, indirect ways in which dry eye symptoms might make you feel like you’re dizzy.
Possible Connections Between Dry Eye & Dizziness
- Blurry vision: A significant symptom of dry eye is blurry vision. Because our bodies rely so heavily on vision to maintain our balance, disruptions to vision can sometimes cause disorientation or mild dizziness.
- Underlying conditions: Some underlying conditions might cause both dry eye syndrome and dizziness. For instance, people who have migraines are more likely to have dry eye, and some forms of migraine have dizziness as a symptom. Some other conditions that may cause both dry eye and headaches include thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases.
- Eye strain. Dry eye can make you more prone to developing eyestrain. Eye strain can trigger tension headaches, which may, in turn, lead to disorientation or lightheadedness.
However, if you experience sudden or significant dizziness without any clear cause, make sure to visit a healthcare professional. If you experience dizziness alongside other, more serious symptoms like chest pain or loss of sensation in the limbs, you should seek emergency medical care immediately.
How to Treat Dry Eyes
In-office Treatments
For those with persistent or severe dry eye symptoms, professional care can often make a difference. At OPT Optometric Palm Springs, we offer dry eye screenings, during which we use diagnostics like the Schirmer’s test or dye and staining tests to determine the cause of your condition and design a course of treatment that meets your needs.
Some of our treatment options include:
- Meibomian gland management: We offer meibomian gland expression and probing to release blocked oils and clear any obstructions. We may also recommend eye masks.
- Eyelid hygiene treatments: We use Blephex to clean your eyes and remove irritants, which helps combat blepharitis, a condition that can be caused when bacteria and other debris build up on the eyelids.
- Punctal plugs: These are small devices that we insert into the tear ducts to help prevent evaporation and help retain moisture.
Always Consult Your Optometrist
Managing dry eye effectively can dramatically boost your day-to-day comfort while also protecting your overall eye health. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, visiting your optometrist is the right move.
At Opt Optometric Palm Springs, we offer expert care designed to meet your needs 1-on-1. Whether you need a full evaluation, are concerned about your dry eye symptoms, or are having feelings of dizziness, we’re here to help you achieve lasting relief. Go on and request an appointment today!
