Common Causes and Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a common eye condition that occurs when the eyes cannot produce enough tears for lubrication. Dry eyes also happen when you have poor-quality tears. Your tears can become unstable due to various reasons.

Tear instability causes inflammation and damage to the surface of the eyes. People with dry eyes tend to experience a lot of discomfort. Treatment can help control the symptoms for a better quality of life.

Causes of Dry Eyes

Below are some of the common factors of dry eyes:

• Aging. As people become older, their eyes also degenerate. The proteins that make up the tear film stop working as you age, thus reducing the number of tears in your eyes.
   

• Environmental factors. Windy, dry, and smoky environments increase the evaporations of tears. Also, not blinking for a long time can cause dry eyes. Spending too much time on a digital screen reduces your blinking rate.
   

• Medications. Some medications cause dry eyes, such as birth control pills and antidepressants.
   

• Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, hormonal birth control, and menopause can change your hormones. As a result, this may lead to dry eyes as a side effect.
   

• Health conditions. Diseases such as diabetes affect the nerve tissues, interrupting tear secretion. As a result, your eyes become dry. Other health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus cause inflammation that leads to dry eyes.

Symptoms

Patients with dry eyes experience the following symptoms:

 

• A burning or stinging sensation in the eyes.

• A feeling of grittiness, soreness, and dryness in the eyes.

• Eye sensitivity to wind or smoke.

• Stringy mucus in the eyes.

• Feeling like there is sand in the eyes.

• Eye redness.

• Eye fatigue.

• Light sensitivity.

• Blurred vision.

• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses.

• Eyelids stick together when you wake up from sleep.

• Tearing.

• Double vision.

When to See a Doctor

It is essential to see a doctor if your symptoms prolong and your eyes become painful, tired, and irritated. Your eye doctor at Quality Eye Care will examine your eyes to determine your problem. They can also refer you to a specialist for further assistance.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the causes of your dry eye symptoms. Over-the-counter artificial tears help mild dry eyes. Your doctor can prescribe medication for serious dry eyes to help the eyes produce more tears.

Lifestyle changes can help protect your eyes. You can try to avoid dry, windy, or smoky places. Use a humidifier when indoors and limit your screen time by taking breaks. You should get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Your doctor may suggest using tear duct plugs if your tears drain quickly. The plugs help retain tears in the eyes. When the condition is more serious, you may need to opt for surgery to fix your eyelids to enable tears to remain in the eyes.

 

For more on dry eye, visit Quality Eye Care at our office in Jacksonville or Gainesville, Florida. You can call (904) 601-1300 to book an appointment today.