Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes do not produce sufficient tears to keep the eyes moist and hydrated. In some cases, the tears that are produced may not be good enough to protect the eyes properly. The condition varies largely from person to person, where one may experience some mild dryness while others may experience an intense, gritty sensation with other symptoms.

Complications that may arise after chronic dry eyes syndrome may include:

1. Corneal ulcer
The cornea of the eye is a clear, protective outer layer of your eyes that separates the inner eye from the surroundings. Sometimes, due to chronic dry eyes or an injury, the cornea may develop an ulcer. Ulcers are open sores that develop around dirt and other particles that may get in your eye. Since people with dry eyes do not produce enough tears to wash the dirt away, this may result in corneal ulcers.

2. Conjunctivitis
When dry eyes remain untreated, this may result in some inflammation of the white part of the eye, which is known as the conjunctiva. This type of inflammation of the conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis; it may cause redness, light sensitivity, and an itchy feeling.

3. Difficulty reading or driving
Dry eyes and the symptoms that come along with them may sometimes cause blurry vision. This is often mistaken for changes in vision, and people usually think they need new prescription glasses. However, if the root cause of blurred vision is not treated in time, the condition may worsen and cause difficulty in reading or even driving properly. Untreated chronic dry eye syndrome may also cause double vision.

4. Headaches
The different symptoms associated with dry eyes, such as ulcers, blurred vision, or inflammation, stress the eyes. Some people may start developing tension headaches as a result of the constant strain on the eye muscles. It may also trigger migraine headaches in some people.

5. Inability to wear contact lenses
Contact lenses need to be lubricated to fit the eyes. If the eyes are dry, wearing contact lenses may cause further dryness that may lead to redness and irritation. In some cases, the dryness may cause the lens to stick to the eye, which may also lead to other complications.

6. Difficulty keeping your eyes open
The lack of lubrication in the eye triggers the eyes to blink more to produce more tears. However, if a person is suffering from severe dryness in their eyes, they may find it challenging to keep their eyes open. When suffering from dry eyes, a person may constantly feel like there is some particulate matter in their eyes or feel sensitive towards light. This can further cause problems in reading or driving.