It’s Healthy Vision Month—Let’s Talk About Dry Eye and Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It

When it comes to keeping up with your health, you know what they say: “better safe than sorry.” But when it comes to your eyes, specifically, this sensory organ is all too often overlooked. (See what we did there?) Because May is Healthy Vision Month, we partnered with our friends at VSP Vision Care to bring to your attention a common vision issue that impacts millions of Americans across the country and yet can be fairly simple to treat: dry eye.

People commonly chalk up dry eye disease to allergies, pets or other factors, usually believing that if they tough it out, the pain and discomfort will go away. But in reality, there’s no need to suffer—there are plenty of options to help you find relief. In fact, ignoring dry eye, can actually lead to more serious conditions down the road. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Read on for a first-hand account from one patient’s experience with dry eye to find out more. Because knowledge is power—and when in doubt, call your eye doctor.

“It started out as mild irritation and discomfort in my left eye,” dry eye sufferer Randy Hedlund said. “I thought it would get better on its own.” Then his symptoms shifted, going from bad to worse. Vision in Randy’s left eye became blurry, and he felt even more pain. He eventually made an appointment with VSP network doctor Jennifer Wademan. “She said, ‘Randy, your eye looks like a rough and gritty piece of sandpaper.’ That’s how severe my dry eye was.” Turns out, he was suffering from an infection caused by dry eye.

“When Randy first came to see me, my initial concern was clearing up the infection and alleviating his pain before we could tackle any other possible underlying issues going on with his eyes,” said Dr. Wademan. After the visit and some prescribed antibiotics, Randy’s pain symptoms dissipated, but vision in his left eye hadn’t improved. The two began peeling back the layers in an attempt to discover the underlying cause. They initially ruled out some bigger diagnoses like diabetes and retina issues. “But when I saw the results of his imaging, I knew the culprit was dry eye,” continued Dr. Wademan.

“It was astounding to learn that the issues I was dealing with were hiding behind dry eye,” said Hedlund. “That’s how sneaky dry eye is.”

Randy is sharing his story in the hopes of helping others—and there’s no more appropriate time for this reminder than during Healthy Vision Month. “Even though you think you know what’s going on, you may not. And it’s important to know that there are options to get relief when you go see your eye doctor,” he said.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, schedule an eye exam with your VSP network doctor, who can determine the underlying cause—and the best treatment—for your dry eye. It’s important to first see your doctor for a diagnosis and a treatment plan, which may include eye drops, prescription medications, tear plugs, or lifestyle changes. 

Eye issues aren’t limited to just dry eye, of course. An eye exam with your doctor can help protect and detect visual system diseases and health conditions. In fact, there are over 270 conditions (like diabetes or even certain types of cancer) that can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Point blank: It’s crucial to be your own advocate when it comes to eye health. And it’s easier than you think. Find a VSP network doctor near you and remember to visit every year. You’ll be glad you did.