Dry eyes are a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when your tears don’t work properly. Tears are made up of three layers: an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer. These layers work together to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. When one or more of these layers is missing or not working properly, your eyes can become dry, irritated, and uncomfortable.
What are the causes of dry eyes?
There are many things that can cause dry eyes, including:
- Environmental factors: Dry air, wind, and smoke can all dry out your eyes.
- Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can dry out your eyes.
- Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and thyroid problems, can also cause dry eyes.
- Age: As you get older, your eyes may produce less tears.
- Eye surgery: Eye surgery, such as LASIK, can also cause dry eyes.
What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
The symptoms of dry eyes can vary from person to person, but they may include:
- Watery eyes: This may seem counterintuitive, but watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eyes. When your eyes are dry, they can produce more tears in an attempt to lubricate themselves.
- Irritation: Your eyes may feel itchy, scratchy, or burning.
- Stinging: Your eyes may feel like they are stinging or burning.
- Pain: Your eyes may feel sore or painful.
- Blurred vision: If your eyes are dry, they may not be able to focus properly, which can lead to blurred vision.
- Feeling of something in your eye: You may feel like there is something in your eye, even though there is nothing there.
How is dry eyes diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose dry eyes by examining your eyes and asking you about your symptoms. They may also use a special test called a Schirmer tear test to measure the amount of tears your eyes produce.
How is dry eyes treated?
There are a number of ways to treat dry eyes, including:
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears are available over-the-counter and can help to lubricate your eyes.
- Heat therapy: Applying warm compresses to your eyes can help to increase tear production.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that can help to reduce inflammation and improve tear production. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements or from foods such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
- Medications: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help treat dry eyes. These medications may include:
- Eye drops: These eye drops can help to increase tear production or reduce inflammation.
- Oral medications: These medications can help to reduce inflammation and improve tear production.
How can I prevent dry eyes?
There are a number of things you can do to prevent dry eyes, including:
- Wear sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from wind, sun, and dust.
- Use a humidifier: A humidifier can help to add moisture to the air, which can help to prevent your eyes from drying out.
- Take breaks: If you spend a lot of time working at a computer or doing other close work, take breaks every 20 minutes to look at something at least 20 feet away.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can dry out your eyes.
- Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep can help to improve tear production.
If you have any concerns about dry eyes, be sure to contact us. We can help you determine if you have dry eyes and recommend the best treatment for you.
