What causes dry eyes?
Common Causes of Dry Eye and How to Treat It
When dry eye strikes, the surfaces of your eyes feel like the desert—red, gritty and burning. Many people suffer from dry eye disease and try to ignore it because they don’t know how to treat it. However, when the causes of dry eye are left untreated, they can result in complications like corneal damage and infection. The Visionworks team is here to help you find out what causes dry eye and how to treat it.
Dry eyes are caused by disruptions in the healthy tear film. This film is made up of fatty oils, aqueous fluid and mucus—the perfect mixture to keep the eyes lubricated and clean. An issue with any one of these components can lead to dry eyes. Dry eyes can be triggered by changes in the body, environmental conditions, certain activities, diet and even contact lenses.
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease is a common—and often chronic—condition in which tears do not provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. Dry eyes tend to be an issue for older adults or anyone whose eyes don’t produce enough tears or make poor-quality tears.
Tears keep your eyes lubricated, clean and clear. Every time you blink, the eyelids spread tears across the surface of the eye, known as the cornea. These tears work to wash away foreign particles and keep the eyes feeling fresh. When tear production problems occur, the surfaces of the eyes are left dry—potentially causing inflammation and damage to the cornea. Ultimately, low tear production creates a dry or scratchy feeling and leaves the eyes vulnerable to other eye problems.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
People who have dry eye disease commonly experience symptoms including stinging, burning, itching, redness, irritation and dryness. Other symptoms include light sensitivity, blurred vision, trouble wearing contacts and problems driving at night. It is also possible to have dry eye disease without noticing it, because it can arise gradually. In such cases, your eye doctor can see signs of it during an eye exam.
11 Common Causes of Dry Eye
Let’s get to the bottom of dry eyes. Here are 11 common causes of chronic dry eye.
Inadequate Tear Production
Inadequate tear production is the main cause of dry eye. However, problems with tear production can stem from a multitude of sources. Tears are produced by glands in the eyelids, which can be disrupted by several factors. For example, tear production naturally diminishes with age, which is why so many people suffer from dry eyes later in life. External factors like weather and allergies also affect tear production—and many medications list dry eye as a possible side effect. No matter the reason, fewer tears equals dry eyes.
Age
The older you get, the more common dry eyes become. As we age, our eyes produce fewer tears. So, dry eyes are just part of the aging process! If you are over 50 and experiencing dry eyes, consider adding artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to your daily routine.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can affect different glands in the body, including those that produce tears. Women tend to develop dry eyes from hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions affect tear production and cause dry eyes. For example, people with inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid issues are more likely to have dry eyes. Blepharitis, eyelid inflammation caused by bacterial infections and malfunctioning oil glands, can also lead to dry eyes because it clogs the glands and restricts tear production. Talk to your eye doctor about your medical history and conditions that may affect your eyes.
Medications
Many medications list dry eye as a potential side effect. Medicines, including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications and antidepressants, can reduce tear production and leave the eyes feeling irritated. Discuss side effects with your doctor and use artificial tears with drugs that trigger dry eye.
Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions like wind, smoke and low humidity can cause tears to evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness and irritation. Wearing sunglasses outdoors can help protect your eyes from the elements—and, of course, the sun.
Allergies
Seasonal allergies trigger dry eyes and the antihistamines we use for relief do, too! Learn how to prevent seasonal allergies before they cause eye dryness and irritation. Cleaning your home, washing your hands and limiting time outdoors can help.
Digital Eye Strain
Digital eye strain may result from increased blue light exposure from laptops, tablets and smartphones. One of the symptoms is dry eyes. When working on the computer, consider reducing blue light exposure with Visionworks Smart Screen lenses and taking more frequent screen breaks.
Vitamin Deficient Diet
Our diets have a massive impact on every part of our bodies, including our eyes! People who have diets low in vitamin A may experience dry eyes and other eye conditions. Incorporate the best foods for eye health into your daily diet with options like eggs, carrots and leafy greens.
Dehydration
Dry eye is one of the symptoms of dehydration, as well as other indications like dizziness, fatigue and dark urine. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially in extreme temperatures or during physical activity.
Contact Lenses
Some people experience dry eyes when wearing contact lenses for the first time. In some cases, contacts can obstruct oxygen flow to the corneas and absorb tears needed to lubricate the eyes. For most people, contact lenses does not cause dry eye, but they can trigger symptoms for those who suffer from chronic dry eye already. Make sure to discuss contact lens options with your eye doctor and never wear contacts longer than recommended.
How to Treat Dry Eye
Here are four useful tips for treating dry eyes.
Use Artificial Tears
Most dry eye cases can be remedied with over-the-counter artificial tear solutions or lubricating eye drops. Preservative-free artificial tear solutions can be used as often as needed to aid natural tear production.
Change Your Environment
If you live in an arid climate, consider getting a humidifier for your home. When spending prolonged time outdoors, protect the eyes from wind, allergens and sunlight with a pair of high-quality sunglasses.
Have a Healthy Diet
Stay hydrated throughout the day and have a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Aim to drink eight to ten glasses of water each day and choose healthy foods. Taking a multivitamin is also a good idea.
Wear Blue Light Glasses
Lessen blue light exposure when working on the computer with blue light filtering Smart Screen lenses from Visionworks. Smart Screen lenses and regular screen time breaks help alleviate the symptoms of digital eye strain.
What to Do If Dry Eye Persists
If chronic dry eye persists, it is a sign to see an eye doctor. Visionworks makes it simple to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor online. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam and get relief for your dry eyes.
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
