Dry eyes can be very uncomfortable. Your eyes need tears to stay healthy and comfortable. If they do not produce enough tears for them to stay healthy and comfortable, you’ll have dry eyes. Having dry eyes is unpleasant, and your eyes may sting or burn.
This condition results because the tears your body makes do not provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Dry eyes can also be caused by your eyes not making the right type of tears.
Your eyes may feel as though they have sand in them, or they may burn or itch. It is also possible that you’re light-sensitive, have a hazy vision, or that your eyes are watering. You may also find it difficult to wear your contact lenses with dry eyes.
Your Eyes Need Moisture
The moisture in your eyes allows them to work as they should and keeps them comfortable. Your body regularly produces moisture for your eyes. If you can’t produce the required moisture, or if it’s of poor quality, this might damage your eyes. It could impair your vision.
This post may contain affiliate links, as explained in our Disclosure Policy.
What your tears do for you
Tears protect your eyes from dirt and illness by soothing the surface of your eyes. They are necessary to moisturize your eyes and remove any foreign objects.
When you blink, a film of tears passes over your eyes. It then moves into the inner corners of your eyelids. Eventually, it drains into the back of your nose. This keeps your eye’s surface smooth and clear.
Your eyes can become dry and inflamed if you don’t produce enough good-quality tears. Normally, your eyes constantly make tears that keep them moist.
If your eyes are irritated or you cry, your eyes make a lot of tears. Sometimes, your eyes may not make enough tears, causing dry eyes.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome is a condition that affects the eyes. The second most prevalent type of dry eye is caused when your body doesn’t produce tears.
For clear vision, the tear film on your eye must be in good health. When your eye is unable to maintain a healthy layer of tears, dry eyes begin to appear. A variety of factors can cause this. It may resolve on its own or last a long time, depending on what the cause is.
What causes dry eyes?
Tears may be insufficient and unstable for a variety of reasons. Dry eyes might occur if your body doesn’t make enough tears. They can also occur if the tears you produce are of low quality. Inflammation and damage to your eye’s surface can result from this tear instability.
Dry eyes can occur in a variety of situations, including:
- in an air-conditioned room
- when riding a bike
- on an airplane, or
- after a few hours of staring at a computer screen.
Possible causes of dry eyes
Certain Illnesses
- Autoimmune illnesses are caused by your immune system targeting sections of your body. These illnesses can impair your ability to produce tears, ultimately resulting in dry eyes.
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjogren’s syndrome (affects both the salivary and tear glands).
Dry eyes caused by aging
As you get older, the glands that produce tears in your body may not perform as well. They may not function as they used to. As a result, you won’t produce as many tears as you used to. Also, as your eyelids sag with age, the seal against your eyeball that helps keep moisture in can become broken.
Tear Duct Infection
Your tear duct is a thin tube that goes down the length of your nose and links to your eyelids. When these ducts become clogged, bacteria may enter the area, causing a condition known as dacryocystitis. This happens most frequently in infants but can occur at any age.
A tear duct infection can cause pain, redness, swelling, excessive tears, discharge from your eye, and fever. This is usually treated with antibiotics. However, minor surgery may be required in some cases.
Evaporative Dry Eye
The most common reason for dry eyes is a lack of oil in your tears. If this occurs, your tears will evaporate before your eyes receive adequate moisture.
If the glands that give your tears their oily texture become clogged, evaporative dry eye will occur frequently. For relief, use warm washcloths and lid scrubs. These help remove dead skin, oil, and bacteria. This buildup can clog your tear glands.
Eye Surgery
You may get dry eyes as a side effect when you have surgery to fix your vision. This includes surgeries like LASIK or PRK.
You may also get dry eyes when you have surgery to remove a cataract. During the said surgeries, the nerves that aid in the production of your tears may become injured.
Consult your doctor about eye drops and other treatment options if you’ve had these procedures and are experiencing dry eyes. Your vision should improve as your eyes heal.
Medications
If you have symptoms of dry eyes and are taking medication, read the labels of your medications carefully. Some medications, such as antihistamines, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, can dry up your eyes by affecting your tears. Consult your doctor if this is a concern for you.
What can make dry eyes worse?
Too much screen time
If you spend long periods of time staring at a computer or phone screen, it can cause dry eyes. This is because you’re less likely to blink and acquire enough moisture in your eyes.
When you’re working on a computer, minimize the amount of time you spend at each session. Take some time to rest your eyes and blink repeatedly.
Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses, they usually sit inside your tear film. Wearing them can be difficult, uncomfortable, or even impossible after they dry. If you have difficulties with your contact lenses, talk to your doctor. Changing solutions, using lenses made of a different material, or replacing your lenses more frequently may help overcome this challenge.
Low Humidity
There isn’t enough moisture in the air in certain conditions. This includes places like warm or air-conditioned rooms or on an aircraft. In those scenarios, your dry eyes might get even more uncomfortable.
Dry eyes can occur due to exposure to wind. The wind can quickly evaporate the natural moisture on the surface of the eyes. This leads to a lack of lubrication, causing discomfort, irritation, and dryness.
Wearing protective eyewear, like sunglasses, can help shield your eyes from wind and reduce the risk of dry eye symptoms.
Does dry eye go away?
There is no permanent cure for dry eyes right now. However, there are many ways to manage and lessen the symptoms.
How do you treat dry eyes?
Treatments for dry eyes are meant to help you feel more at ease. Treatments may include dietary adjustments as well as eye drops.
If you want to get rid of the symptoms of dry eyes, you’ll probably have to keep doing the things that were suggested. You might need to do them indefinitely.
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears are eye drops. They are used to lubricate dry eyes. They also keep the outer surface of your eyes moist. As stated earlier, dry eyes can be caused by:
- aging
- certain drugs
- some medical conditions
- eye surgery, or
- environmental factors including smoky or windy environments.
Artificial tears eye drops can help relieve those symptoms and are available over-the-counter without a prescription.
In addition to moisturizing your eyes, some artificial tears promote eye healing, while others act by reducing tear evaporation. Some artificial tears contain thickening agents. These agents help hold the solution on the surface of your eyes for a longer period of time. These include Refresh Tears, Refresh Plus, and Thera Tears.
How can I hydrate my eyes?
Tips on preventing dry eyes
- If you always wake up with dry and scratchy eyes, use artificial tear ointment. You can also use thick eye drops just before you go to bed.
- Avoid using a hair dryer, if you can.
- Try and stay away from very warm rooms. During the winter, you should add moisture to the air in your room with a humidifier. Or put a pan of water near your heater or radiator.
- Protect your eyes from drying wind by wearing wrap-around glasses outside.
- Talk to your ophthalmologist about adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet for dry eye relief. They are found naturally in oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, and anchovies), and in flaxseeds. Omega-3 fatty acids can be added as a dietary supplement (pill or tablet).
In conclusion, preventing dry eyes at any age requires a combination of simple lifestyle changes and mindful habits. Stay hydrated. Use humidifiers. Protect your eyes from wind and excessive screen time.
Incorporate a balanced diet rich in eye-supporting nutrients. By doing so, you can effectively reduce the chances of experiencing dry eyes.
Regular eye check-ups and consulting with a healthcare professional can also help identify underlying causes and provide tailored solutions. Taking these proactive steps ensures that your eyes stay healthy and comfortable, no matter your age.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.