Can Dry Eyes Make You Dizzy? Here’s What Experts Say

If you've ever experienced dizziness, lightheadedness, or even a sense of imbalance, you might not immediately think your eyes are to blame. However, dry eyes and dizziness are more connected than you might expect. Many people report feeling off-balance, fatigued, or even experiencing headaches when dealing with dry eye syndrome. But why does this happen? Can dry eyes make you dizzy? In this article, we'll explore the relationship between eyes, dry eyes, dizziness, and balance problems, while also providing tips on how to relieve discomfort.

The Connection Between Your Eyes and Dizziness

Many people don’t realize just how important their vision is for maintaining balance and spatial awareness. Your eyes, brain, and inner ear (vestibular system) work together to help you stay steady, coordinate movement, and perceive depth. When any part of this system is disrupted, dizziness and imbalance can occur.

For example, dry eyes, eye strain, and poor eyesight can force your brain to work harder to interpret visual information. This extra strain can lead to headaches, vertigo-like symptoms, and even difficulty concentrating. Additionally, if your eyes struggle to focus due to blurry vision or tear film instability, your brain may receive conflicting signals about your surroundings, making you feel off-balance or lightheaded.

Since your eyes and brain are so interconnected, even mild visual disturbances—such as dry eye syndrome or uncorrected vision problems—can contribute to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. If you notice that moving your eyes makes you feel dizzy, or if you frequently experience eye strain vertigo symptoms, it may be time to assess whether your vision is playing a role in your discomfort.

Want to know if you are suffering from dry eyes? Take our quick quiz to find out!

Why Does Moving My Eyes Make Me Dizzy?

If you’ve ever noticed dizziness when shifting your gaze or focusing on a screen for long periods, eye strain and dry eyes could be the culprit. Here’s why:

• Reduced Tear Film Stability: When your eyes are dry, your tear film isn’t functioning properly, causing blurry vision and difficulty focusing.
• Increased Eye Fatigue: Constantly straining your eyes to see clearly can lead to eye strain, vertigo symptoms, and headaches.
• Binocular Vision Issues: Your eye muscles work together to keep both eyes aligned. When they’re overworked or strained, it can lead to dizziness and disorientation.

Can Dry Eyes Cause Balance Problems?

Yes, dry eyes can contribute to balance issues, especially if they cause blurry vision, headaches, or fatigue. Your brain relies on clear, stable vision to help with balance and coordination. If your eyes are constantly dry and irritated, it can create a sense of instability.

Symptoms to watch for:

If you suffer from dry eye disease, you may also notice:

• Dizziness, dry eyes, and headaches
• Dizziness, dry eyes, fatigue, and feeling faint
• Difficulty focusing, especially on screens or small text
• A sensation of vertigo or lightheadedness
• Increased sensitivity to light

How to Treat Dry Eyes and Dizziness

If you suspect dry eyes are causing your dizziness, taking steps to improve your overall eye health can make a big difference. Here are some tips:

1. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule

Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus on something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.

2. Stay Hydrated and Blink More

Dehydration can contribute to dry eye symptoms. Make a conscious effort to blink frequently, especially when using screens.

3. Use Artificial Tears

Lubricating eye drops can help maintain a healthy tear film, reducing blurry vision and irritation.

4. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam

An eye doctor can assess whether binocular vision issues, dry eye disease, or poor eyesight are contributing to your dizziness.

5. Improve Your Environment

Avoid direct airflow from fans or air conditioning, and use a humidifier to prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.

6. Treat Underlying Eye Conditions

If eye strain, vertigo symptoms, or dry eye syndrome are persistent, medical treatments like specialty eye drops, warm compresses, or prescription therapies may be needed.

When to See an Eye Doctor

If you experience frequent dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and lightheadedness, it’s important to seek professional help. Sometimes, dizziness can be a sign of eye problems, such as:

• Uncorrected vision issues (needing glasses or a new prescription)
• Chronic dry eye disease affecting vision clarity
• Inner ear inflammation contributing to dizziness and balance problems

We Can Help!

At Centers for Dry Eye, we specialize in diagnosing and treating dry eye syndrome and its related symptoms. If you're experiencing dizziness, eye strain, or balance problems, our experts can help you find relief with personalized treatments.

How We Can Help:

- We offer customized treatment plans, including prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, and advanced therapies tailored to your specific condition.

- We provide you with tips and advice on how to prevent or reduce Dry Eye symptoms in the future.

Contact us today and take the first step toward lasting relief from dry eyes! Visit our website to learn more about our services. 

We just don’t treat Dry Eyes, we fix it once and for all.