Dry eye, also known by the medical name keratitis sicca, is a condition that affects both humans and animals, primarily dogs. According to the Canine Inherited Disorders Database, both humans and animals show similar signs of ocular discomfort. Common symptoms include light sensitivity, squinting and blinking, but there are also atypical dry eye symptoms to monitor in order to preserve vision and comfort in affected individuals.
Excess Tearing
A truly atypical symptom of dry eye is excess tearing. While this might seem like an exclusion to dry eye, the Handbook of Ocular Disease Management reports that this is actually a sign of poor tear quality, a hallmark of dry eye. Since the tear ducts are not producing tears that are the right kind of "wet" for the eye, the eye remains too dry for comfort, even as inferior tears continue to be produced. This symptom can be relieved with the use of appropriate tear substitutes to make the eye comfortable.
Corneal Damage
In most individuals with dry eye, the main symptom will be discomfort with no permanent damage occurring. In atypical cases, MedlinePlus reports that patients may develop damage to the cornea. This can take the form of corneal thickening or scarring from scratches to the surface of the eye. These conditions can diminish the ability of the cornea to heal and provide good vision.
Ulcerated Cornea
In rare cases, patients with dry eye may develop complications. MedlinePlus notes that one of the more serious complications of dry eye is the development of ulcers on the cornea. This can result in vision loss and irreparable damage to the cornea.
Vision Loss
MedlinePlus notes that most individuals with dry eye do not experience vision loss, just a loss of comfort in their eye. However, in atypical cases, patients may develop vision loss. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that this may take the form of a general loss of visual acuity or sharpness. Sudden decreases in vision are a cause for immediate medical attention.
