Dry eye disease (DED) isn’t just an issue for older adults. Teens and young adults are increasingly experiencing dry eye due to factors like screen time, environmental conditions, and lifestyle habits. If you’ve noticed you're dealing with symptoms like irritated, burning, or gritty eyes, it might be time to see an eye doctor for a diagnosis.
Symptoms of Dry Eye in Young People
Dry eye disease happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears dry up too quickly. Tears are crucial for keeping our eyes lubricated, nourished, and healthy.
Common symptoms of dry eye include:
- A gritty or sandy feeling in your eyes
- Redness or irritation
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurry vision, especially after reading or using a screen
- Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
For young adults, these symptoms might be triggered by prolonged screen use, wearing contact lenses for extended periods, or spending time in air-conditioned or dry environments. Unlike older adults, young patients may not immediately know that their symptoms point to a problem with tear production or quality.
When to See a Doctor
You might be able to handle dry eye on your own, but sometimes it’s important to see an eye doctor.
Schedule a visit if:
- Your eyes burn, sting, feel scratchy, or water a lot, especially on windy days.
- You notice changes in your vision, like trouble seeing clearly while using a computer or other screens, even if your have good glasses.
- Prescription eye drops, such as Restasis, aren’t making a difference.
- Dry eye is making it hard to do normal activities, like reading or driving.
An eye doctor can find out what’s causing your dry eye and recommend treatments to help you feel more comfortable.
Diagnosing Dry Eye in Young Adults
Diagnosing dry eye starts with a thorough examination and conversation with your doctor. During your visit, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and health history. They’ll also check your eyes using several diagnostic tools.
Be prepared to answer questions like:
- When did your symptoms start?
- How often do you use digital screens?
- Do you wear contact lenses?
- Have you noticed your symptoms worsening in certain environments (e.g., air-conditioned rooms)?
- Are you taking any medications that might cause dry eyes?
These questions help your doctor understand the potential triggers and severity for your dry eye symptoms.
But to help your doctor come to a diagnosis, you should also have questions for them, plus a list of all the medicines and supplements you take.
Here are a few to get you started:
- What’s causing my dry eye?
- Do I have any underlying conditions contributing to it?
- Is my screen time making my symptoms worse?
- What tests will you use to diagnose my dry eye?
- What are the best treatment options?
- Are there any side effects to these treatments?
- What kinds of results can I expect?
- How can I prevent my symptoms from getting worse?
- Should I come back for follow-up tests?
Diagnosing dry eye is similar for people of all ages, but younger patients may need extra attention to determine if lifestyle factors, such as screen time, play a role. Doctors may also explore whether allergies, hormonal changes, or genetic factors contribute to symptoms in younger people.
Diagnostic Tests for Dry Eye
Eye doctors have various tests they can use on young adu;ts to evaluate your tear production, tear quality, and the overall health of their eyes. Most are painless, though some may cause slight discomfort, like the Schirmer’s test or the placement of dye drops, but it’s temporary.
Your doctor will explain each test beforehand and make sure you’re comfortable throughout the process.
Some of most common tests for dry eye include:
Slit lamp test. A slit lamp test is a basic yet powerful tool used to examine the surface of your eyes. This special microscope has a bright, narrow beam of light that allows your doctor to examine your eyes closely. During this test, they’ll look for:
- Redness or swelling
- Damage to the surface of the eye (cornea)
- Signs of inflammation or irritation
To make certain areas of the eye easier to see, the doctor may add a dye, such as fluorescein, to the surface of the eye. This dye highlights dry or damaged areas, making them more visible under the light. The test is painless and takes only a few minutes. If you wear contact lenses, your doctor may also check how they’re affecting the health of your eyes.
Schirmer’s test. The Schirmer’s test measures how much tears your eyes produce. This is done using a small strip of paper. The doctor places the paper under the lower eyelid and asks you to keep your eyes closed for about 5 minutes. The paper absorbs your tears, and the doctor measures how much moisture is present on the strip.
While the test is safe, you might feel a slight tickling or discomfort from the paper. It’s important because it shows whether your tear glands are producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist. If your tear production is low, this could be a sign of dry eye disease that requires treatment.
Tear quality and volume tests. These tests help evaluate both the amount and the quality of your tears to pinpoint the underlying cause of dry eye symptoms.
- Phenol red thread test: This test is similar to the Schirmer's test but uses a small thread instead of paper. The thread changes color as it absorbs your tears, giving a quick measurement of tear production. It’s less invasive and usually more comfortable than the Schirmer's test.
- TearLab osmolarity test: This test checks the salt concentration in your tears. High osmolarity means your tears are too salty, which can cause dryness and irritation. The doctor collects a tiny sample of tears using a small device. The process is quick and shouldn’t be uncomfortable.
- Tear breakup time (TBUT): The TBUT test measures how long your tears stay on the surface of your eye before breaking up. The doctor places a dye on your eye and observes how long it takes for dry spots to appear after you blink. A short tear breakup time means your tears evaporate too quickly, which could be causing symptoms.
LipiScan. LipiScan is an imaging test that focuses on the meibomian glands in your eyelids. These glands produce oils that prevent tears from evaporating too quickly. If these glands are blocked or damaged, your eyes may not stay lubricated.
The LipiScan test uses a special camera to take detailed images of the glands. The test is painless and takes just a few minutes. By looking at the structure and function of the meibomian glands, your doctor can see if they’re contributing to your dry eye symptoms.
InflammaDry. InflammaDry is a quick test that checks for inflammation in your tears. Inflammation is a common cause of dry eye disease and can damage the tear glands and eye surface over time. The test involves collecting a small sample of your tears with a small piece of soft fabric.
The swab is then tested for inflammatory markers. You can usually get the results in about 10 minutes. If the test is positive, it indicates that inflammation is playing a role in your dry eye. This helps your doctor decide whether anti-inflammatory treatments, like medicated eye drops, might be necessary. InflammaDry is fast and provides results during your visit.
What Happens After Diagnosis?
Once your doctor confirms that you have dry eye, they’ll recommend a treatment plan based on your specific needs. Treatments often focus on relieving symptoms and addressing the underlying cause of dry eye.
Treatment options include:
- Artificial tears or prescription eye drops
- Lifestyle modifications
- Environmental changes
- Specialized contact lenses
- In-office procedures
When you begin treating their dry eye disease, your doctor will likely suggest several approaches that work together. Typically, they'll start with treatments that provide quick symptom relief, like artificial tears or lubricating drops, while also beginning longer-term strategies that address the underlying causes of the condition.
Your doctor will monitor how well these treatments work and adjust them over time. This combined approach means they might notice some immediate improvement in how their eyes feel, while other benefits develop more gradually as their eyes improve.
Returning for regular checkups will help ensure your treatment plan continues to meet your needs as your symptoms and lifestyle change.
Living With Dry Eye
Living with dry eye requires ongoing attention, but with proper care and management, you can maintain comfortable, healthy eyes. Think of managing dry eye like taking care of any other chronic condition — it becomes part of your daily routine rather than a constant disruption. The key is consistency with your treatment plan, whether that involves using prescribed eye drops, taking regular screen breaks, or maintaining a healthy environment for your eyes.
Many young adults find success by making small but significant changes to their daily habits. This might mean adjusting your computer screen height, using a humidifier in their room, or setting reminders to blink more frequently during screen time. While these changes might seem minor, they can make a substantial difference in their comfort throughout the day.
Remember, you're not alone in managing this condition. Many young adults successfully handle dry eye while maintaining active, productive lives. Support groups and online communities can provide additional tips and emotional support from others who understand your experience firsthand.
Dry eye disease can be frustrating, but a proper diagnosis is the first step to relief. By understanding the symptoms, seeking professional help, and exploring effective treatments, you can manage your condition and protect your eye health.
If you’ve been dealing with dry eye symptoms, don’t wait to see an eye doctor. Taking action now can improve your quality of life and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy for years to come.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Image Source/Getty Images
SOURCES:
Mayo Clinic: “Dry eyes.”
Optometrists Network: “How Is Dry Eye Syndrome Diagnosed?”
Cleveland Clinic: “Dry Eye,” “Slit Lamp Exam.”
Science Direct: The Ocular Surface: “Dry eye disease in the young: A narrative review.”
Mount Sinai: “Schirmer test.”
National Library of Medicine: “Evaluation of Phenol Red Thread test versus Schirmer test in dry eyes: A comparative study.”
Gundersen Health System: “5 signs you should see a doctor for dry eye.”
American Academy of Ophthalmology: “Why Is Dry Eye So Difficult to Treat?”
