Dry Eyes: Common Causes, How To Treat, and More

Dry eyes a common condition that many people from around the world suffer from. This condition occurs when your eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate your eyes. There can be many reasons for the inadequate production of tears. Dry eyes cause discomfort and you may experience sting or burn in your eyes. Moreover, you may also suffer from extremely dry eyes in a variety of situations, such as while driving a bike, looking at a screen continuously for hours, in an air-conditioned room, or on an airplane.

To keep your eyes comfortable, lubricated, and healthy, it requires a consistent and adequate layer of tears on the top layer of the eyes. The primary cause of this condition is a constant lack of adequate moisture and lubrication on the eye surface. The results of dry eye syndrome vary from mild but constant eye irritation to notable inflammation and in some cases, scarring on the eye surface.

Common symptoms of dry eyes 

• Blurred vision or eye fatigue
• A Scratchy, burning, or stinging sensation in your eyes
• Eye redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
• A constant feeling of having something in your eyes
• Difficulty with nighttime driving
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Watery eyes, which is sometimes the body’s response to dry eyes irritation

Common causes of dry eyes 

Medical condition 

There are many medical conditions that result in dry eye syndrome. Some of these conditions are Lupus, Diabetes, Thyroid disorders, Vitamin A deficiency, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and more. If you are suffering from one of these conditions, you most likely have dry eyes.          

Age 

As we grow, our eyes tend to slow down the production of tears. In fact, age is one of the most common causes of dry eye syndrome. People who are 50 or above and women going through menopause are most likely to experience slower tear production.

Tear composition imbalance 

There are three basic layers in tears – Mucus, Water, and Oil. If there is an imbalance in the composition, you experience dry eye syndrome. There are many reasons for tear composition imbalance such as the blockage in the glands. This often happens if you are suffering from a skin condition like rosacea or if there is inflammation.

Tear Gland Damage 

When your tear gland experiences any damage, your eyes produce insufficient tears. If you have been suffering from inflammation due to eye allergy or infection, your gland may become damaged. Radiation is yet another cause of tear gland damage. If you believe this could be the primary cause of dry eyes, you must immediately visit an ophthalmologist.

Medications 

There are certain medications that also cause dry eyes. Medications such as birth control, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy, decongestants, antihistamines, or medications that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, acne, or blood pressure can cause dry eyes.

How to treat dry eyes?

Fortunately, if you are suffering from chronic dry eyes, there are various effective treatment options available. In certain cases, minor behavioral modifications and regular use of artificial tears can improve dry eyes considerably.

In other cases, your ophthalmologists may prescribe eye medications or drops to foster your body to produce more tears naturally and reduce eye inflammation and irritation.

What to Expect During the Recovery Period?

Well, in most cases, people can recover quickly after their laser eye surgery and can return to regular life within a day or two. However, healing may take a little longer, usually 3-6 months, which may vary from one patient to another.

The treatment may vary from one person to another. This is why it’s best to visit your ophthalmologist if you believe you have dry eyes.