Dry Eyes: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

An Overview about Dry Eyes:

Ever felt that irritating, burning, or stinging feel in your eyes? You might be dealing with dry eyes . Whether you are looking at screen continuously for few hours or just biking, or when you are in an air-conditioned room, or when using contact lenses, dry eyes can cause inflammation and can make you feel uncomfortable.

Though dry eyes are common among many people, there are certain treatments available to alleviate this condition. In this article, let us get to know about the symptoms of dry eyes, its causes, and how to treat them.


What are Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is a common condition in which your eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate the eyes, or the tears evaporate quickly. Tears in the eye provide lubrication, which helps to lower the risk of eye infection and keep the surface of the eye clean and clear. The dry eye affects the layers of tears that protect the cornea.


Dry Eyes Symptoms

People with dry eyes may most commonly experience burning, scratching and irritable feelings in their eyes. Other signs and symptoms of Dry eyes include:

• Stinging or burning feel in the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Red eyes
• Blurry vision
• Watery eyes
• String mucus around the eyes
• Difficulty while driving
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
  
  

Causes of Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be caused by a variety of situations. Generally, the glands above your eyes are responsible for producing tears that keep your eyes moist. Dry eyes occur when no tears are produced in the eyes. Major causes for dry eyes include eyes not producing enough tears, eyes evaporating quickly, contact lenses, looking at screen for long hours

A few other causes for Dry eyes are:

Ageing: People over the age of 65 are more likely to get the symptoms of dry eyes.

Medications: Certain medicines like antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, and blood pressure medications, can reduce tear production in the eyes.

Environmental Conditions: Dry eyes can most probably be caused due to the environmental factors such as more exposure to wind, dry climate, poor blinking habits, smoking, or allergies etc.,

Hormonal Changes: Dry eyes are more prevalent in women because of hormonal fluctuations induced by menopause, oral contraceptive use, and pregnancy.

Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions including allergic eye disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and blepharitis can lead to dry eyes.

Surgeries: LASIK, cataract surgery, and corneal surgery are among the eye surgeries that can raise your chance of developing dry eye.

 
Diagnosis of Dry Eyes

Ophthalmologists may use a variety of tests and procedures to determine and diagnose the cause of red eyes. These include:

Eye Exam: An eye exam that involves a thorough medical history of both your eyes and general health will assist your eye doctor in determining the reason behind your dry eyes.

Medical History: Your provider might ask for your information such as your history of eye diseases, history of other medical conditions, including allergies and chronic viral infections, history of surgeries, allergies, whether you smoke, etc.,

Tests: Your ophthalmologist may use several tests like Schirmer’s test (to check your tear production), Tear breakup time test (to check how quickly your tears evaporate), slit lamp exam (to check the amount of tears).


Treatment of Dry Eyes

Typically, dry eye treatment is based on the underlying cause of your symptoms. Several therapy options are available to help manage your symptoms and maintain your eyes healthy.

Eye Drops: Artificial tears are the most often used treatment for mild cases of dry eye. These eye drops are available without a prescription. Moreover, there are over-the-counter moisturizing ointments and gels that might improve the condition of your eyes.

Medications: Your healthcare provider might prescribe some medicines to reduce eyelid inflammation, to control cornea inflammation, tear-stimulating medicines, and nasal sprays to increase tear production.

Contact Lenses: Dry eyes can be treated by therapeutic lenses, which come in forms like soft bandage lenses, and rigid scleral lenses that help to protect and lubricate the eyes.

It is recommended that you consult with your ophthalmologist or your healthcare provider before you use any of the eye drops, medicines, or contact lenses


Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dry Eyes

• Set screen time limits and take breaks from prolonged screen timing
• Make sure you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Try to get eight or ten glasses of water each day.
• Avoid smoking.
• Add a humidifier to your bedrooms.