Dehydration not only causes thirst, dry mouth, or fatigue but can also affect the eyes. Recognizing these signs early helps you replenish fluids promptly and prevent prolonged dry eyes.

Dry, gritty, or burning eyes

The eye's surface is always covered by a tear film, which helps to keep it moist, lubricated, nourish the cornea, and protect the eye from dust and bacteria. When the body is dehydrated, tear production can decrease, destabilizing this film.

This condition can cause dry eyes, a gritty sensation like sand, burning, or itching. Symptoms are often more pronounced when working extensively on computers, in air-conditioned rooms, or in dry weather.

However, dry eyes are not always caused by dehydration. Age, contact lens use, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, or prolonged screen time can also cause this condition. If symptoms persist despite adequate hydration, individuals should consult an ophthalmologist to determine the cause.

Drinking enough water helps maintain the tear film, contributing to the protection of the eye surface. Photo: Anh Ngoc

Drinking enough water helps maintain the tear film, contributing to the protection of the eye surface. Photo: Anh Ngoc

Temporary blurred vision

Dehydration can also temporarily affect vision. When the tear layer is insufficient to keep the corneal surface smooth, light entering the eye refracts less stably, leading to momentary blurred vision. This condition often improves after blinking or using artificial tears.

If blurred vision appears suddenly, persists, or is accompanied by eye pain, flashing lights, vision loss, or other neurological symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary as it may indicate more serious conditions than just dehydration.

Red eyes

Red eyes can also appear when the body is dehydrated. When the eye surface is dry, tissues become easily irritated and mildly inflamed, causing small blood vessels on the conjunctiva to dilate, which gives the whites of the eyes a red or pinkish hue.

However, red eyes are a common symptom with many other causes, such as allergies, infections, conjunctivitis, late nights, or exposure to smoke and dust. Therefore, if red eyes persist, cause significant pain, or produce excessive discharge, a doctor's examination is necessary.

Excessive tearing

Extremely dry eyes can lead to excessive tearing. When the eye surface is dry and irritated, the lacrimal glands produce a reflex overflow of tears to protect the eye. However, these tears are primarily water, lacking the essential oil and mucus components needed to adhere to the eye surface. Consequently, the tears quickly run off instead of maintaining moisture, causing individuals to experience both tearing and dry eyes.

If dry, gritty eyes are accompanied by thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, infrequent urination, or fatigue, the body may be dehydrated. Experts recommend drinking enough water, increasing fluid intake during exercise or hot weather, and resting the eyes according to the 20-20-20 rule when working with screens.

This rule suggests that after every 20 minutes of computer work, you should rest your eyes by looking 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Artificial tears can be used for mild dry eyes, as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

By Bao Bao (Compiled)