Why so many Americans live with untreated dry eye

Over 50% of Americans suffer with dry eye, yet most are not seeking treatment. Moreover, only about 20% have been formally diagnosed.  

The surprisingly large number of Americans battling dry, gritty eyes without a diagnosis comes at a time when treatments are more readily available than ever before.  

So why do so many people endure dry eye pain without help?  

“I think dry eye is one of those things that are in the nagging category for patients,” says Dr. Jihan Akhtar, an ophthalmologist at Aurora Health Care. “I find patients don’t come in until much later.”  

Dry eye is a medical condition that usually results from either insufficient tear production or poor tear quality, which occurs when the tears produced lack the right components to protect and lubricate the eye.  

Often age-related and frequently driven by hormonal changes, common symptoms of dry eye include a burning or stinging sensation, gritty or sandy feeling, redness, blurry vision and excessive tearing.  

“I think the number one misconception about dry eye is that people think their eyes can’t be dry because they’re tearing a lot,” Dr. Akhtar shares. “And they are correct. Their eyes are tearing too much. But that’s the brain’s reaction to feeling like something is in your eye. It’s called reflexive tearing.” 

Possible contributors to dry eye? Medications like antihistamines, beta blockers and even isotretinoins. 

Fortunately, many treatments exist to help patients find lasting relief, including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription eye drops. Though, Dr. Akhtar cautions that patients must be careful about selecting an OTC medication.  

“Choose eye drops that say ‘artificial tear’ instead of options for redness relief,” Dr. Akhtar says.

For those who can’t find relief from eye drops, many find success with punctal plugs. These tiny, removable plugs are inserted into the tear duct to help the eye retain moisture. 

Yet even with many treatment options available, finding the right one can take time. The problem gets more complicated if one eye is significantly worse than the other, which could mean there may be a more complicated issue to address.   

“I try to remind every patient that what works for you might not work for your neighbor,” Dr. Akhtar says. “Dry eye is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.”  

Regardless of how severe your dry eye is, it’s not something that should be ignored. “It’s important to get regular eye checkups just like it is for your body,” Dr. Akhtar says.  

Looking for an eye doctor? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.