Dry Eye Awareness Month: Recognizing Common Symptoms & What They Can Be Mistaken For
July is Dry Eye Awareness Month, a timely reminder to pay attention to one of the most commonly overlooked yet impactful eye conditions. Dry eye disease affects millions of people across the U.S., yet many remain undiagnosed or mistake the symptoms for something else entirely. At Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun in Knoxville, TN, we’re committed to helping patients understand the signs of dry eye and providing lasting relief through customized care.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or produce low-quality tears that evaporate too quickly. This disrupts the tear film that protects and nourishes the surface of your eyes, leading to discomfort and visual disturbances.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Recognizing the symptoms early is key to effective management. The most common signs include:
- Redness and irritation
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Grittiness—like something is in your eye
- Excessive tearing
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision that improves with blinking
These symptoms often fluctuate and may be worse in certain environments (like air-conditioned rooms or windy conditions) or after prolonged screen time.
What Dry Eye Symptoms Are Often Mistaken For
Dry eye symptoms can closely mimic other eye conditions, making accurate diagnosis essential. For example:
- Allergies – Redness, itching, and watering may lead people to believe they have seasonal allergies when they’re actually experiencing dry eye.
- Eye strain – Blurred vision and fatigue after screen use might be attributed to overuse when dry eye is the real culprit.
- Infections or conjunctivitis – Chronic redness and discharge may resemble pink eye but without the contagious component.
- Aging changes – Some people assume their symptoms are just a natural part of aging, when treatment could significantly improve their comfort.
Misidentifying dry eye can delay proper care and worsen symptoms over time.
Why Early Detection Matters
If left untreated, dry eye can progress and lead to chronic discomfort, damage to the corneal surface, and vision problems. Early diagnosis allows for intervention with personalized treatments, such as:
- Prescription eye drops (like RESTASIS® or Xiidra®)
- Punctal plugs to conserve tears
- Treatments for underlying conditions like blepharitis or rosacea
Get Relief at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun
This Dry Eye Awareness Month, take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision. Our Knoxville-based team provides comprehensive dry eye evaluations and tailors each treatment plan to the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Click HERE to request your appointment today to discover how a customized approach can help you manage dry eye and protect your long-term eye health.