Sep 1, 2025

What Does Dry Eye Vision Look Like? 

a woman putting in eye drops for dry eye

Sep 1, 2025

What Does Dry Eye Vision Look Like? 

If your eyes constantly feel irritated or your vision looks hazy, it may be time to consider dry eye treatment in Bristol. Dry eye syndrome affects the tear film that protects and nourishes the surface of your eyes. When this layer becomes unstable, your vision may become blurry or distorted, especially when reading or staring at a screen. 

How does dry eye affect vision? 

Left untreated, dry eye can lead to more than just discomfort. It can also interfere with how well you see throughout the day. Here’s how your vision might look if you’re dealing with dry eye syndrome: 

Blurry or fluctuating vision 

Your vision may shift between clear and blurry, especially when blinking or focusing on something for a long time. 

Smudged or smeared view 

Some people describe their vision as looking like there’s a foggy film or greasy smudge over it, like a dirty camera lens. 

Difficulty with screens

Digital devices reduce your blink rate. That means your eyes may dry out faster, making text harder to focus on or sharp details harder to distinguish. 

Light sensitivity

Dry eyes can make your eyes more sensitive to light. Glare from headlights, screens, or the sun can seem more intense. 

Reduced contrast

You might notice that colors seem dull or shadows blend together more, making it harder to read or drive at night. 

What causes dry eye? 

When your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, the corneal surface becomes exposed and inflamed. This disrupts the smooth, clear surface your eyes need for crisp vision. It can feel like you’re constantly looking through a dirty windshield. 

Dry eye symptoms tend to worsen throughout the day or in certain environments, such as wind, dry air, or air conditioning. Many people also notice symptoms after long periods of reading, driving, or screen time.  

When to seek treatment 

If your vision stays blurry, you rub your eyes often, or you rely on artificial tears several times a day, it’s time to come in for a dry eye evaluation. At Family Eye Care in Bristol,  we offer personalized dry eye treatment using advanced diagnostics and in-office therapies like Zocular Eyelid System Treatment (ZEST) and IPL and radiofrequency. These treatment options target the root cause of dry eyes, which is often inflammation along the eyelid margins. 

You don’t have to live with dry, irritated eyes and hazy vision. Relief is possible with the right diagnosis and care. Give us a call today or schedule an appointment online.