Dry eye disease doesn’t just irritate—it interferes with how clearly you see. For many, it disrupts everyday tasks like reading, using screens, or driving.
How Dry Eye Affects Vision
The tear film is the eye’s optical surface. Without it, light scatters irregularly, leading to fluctuating or blurry vision. This is especially noticeable when blinking or during prolonged visual tasks.
Scientific Backing
The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) DEWS II Report emphasizes that unstable tear film leads to inconsistent refractive surfaces, causing visual fluctuations (Craig et al., 2017). A study in Cornea journal also found that dry eye is strongly associated with visual performance issues, especially under low-light or high-demand conditions.
Signs of Vision Impairment from Dry Eye
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Fluctuating focus, especially during screen use
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Halos or glare around lights
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Poor night vision
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Needing to blink frequently to "clear" your sight
Impact on Daily Life Unmanaged dry eye can reduce productivity, driving safety, and even job performance—especially in screen-heavy occupations.