Can Dry Eyes Cause Other Eye Problems?

Dry eye is a common condition that affects millions of people. It happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. While dry eyes may seem like just a temporary irritation, leaving the condition untreated can lead to more serious eye problems over time.

How Dry Eyes Affect Your Vision

When your eyes are dry, they can feel gritty, itchy, or even painful. You may also notice blurry vision that improves when you blink. This happens because tears play an important role in keeping your vision clear. Without a stable tear film, light doesn’t focus properly on the surface of your eye, leading to fluctuating or unclear vision.

Potential Eye Problems Linked to Dry Eyes

• Increased Risk of Eye Infections: Tears aren’t just for comfort - they help wash away debris and protect against bacteria. When you don’t have enough tears, your eyes are more vulnerable to infections like conjunctivitis.

• Corneal Damage: If dry eye becomes severe, it can cause inflammation and tiny scratches on the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). Over time, these scratches can turn into ulcers or scars that affect vision.

• Worsening Eye Conditions: Dry eyes can make existing eye problems worse. For example, if you already have allergies or blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), dryness can intensify the symptoms.

• Difficulty with Contact Lenses: Contact lenses need moisture to stay comfortable. People with dry eyes often find that wearing contacts leads to irritation, redness, or even an inability to tolerate lenses altogether.

• Impact on Eye Surgery Outcomes: Patients considering procedures like LASIK or cataract surgery may face complications if dry eye is not treated first. A healthy tear film is essential for healing and achieving the best surgical results.

Diagnosing Dry Eye and Personalized Treatment

Dry eye disease isn’t one-size-fits-all. At RCP Eyecare, diagnosis begins with a comprehensive eye exam that includes specialized testing to evaluate tear quality, quantity, and stability. Advanced imaging may be used to assess the meibomian glands - tiny oil glands in your eyelids that play a critical role in keeping tears from evaporating too quickly.

Once the root cause is identified, treatment is tailored to your individual needs. For some, this may mean artificial tears or prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation. Others may benefit from in-office treatments to unclog blocked glands, improve tear film quality, or even protective devices like punctal plugs to help retain natural tears. Personalized treatment ensures not only symptom relief but also long-term protection for your vision and eye health.

Find Relief from Dry Eye at RCP Eyecare

While dry eyes might start as a mild nuisance, they can lead to more serious eye problems if ignored. Protecting your vision starts with early diagnosis and proper treatment tailored to your needs.

At RCP Eyecare, we provide advanced solutions to manage dry eye and help you avoid long-term complications. If you’ve been struggling with dryness, irritation, or blurry vision, schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable eyes. Contact any of our seven locations in San Antonio or Selma, Texas. Visit our website to book an appointment or call our office in Quarry Village (210) 988-6897, Northwoods (210) 545-3183, Shops at Westpointe (210) 866-7555, La Cantera (210) 641-2405, Bandera Pointe (726) 208-6454, Ingram Festival (210) 520-0335, or The Forum (210) 659-1479.