Dry Eye - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What is Dry Eye?

A common illness known as dry eye disease arises when your tears are insufficient to lubricate your eyes adequately. For a variety of causes, tears may not be sufficient or steady. For instance, inadequate tear production or low-quality tear production might lead to dry eyes. The instability of tears causes inflammation and surface damage to the eye.

It hurts to have dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or sting if they are dry. In some circumstances, such as while riding a bike, in an air-conditioned room, on an airline, or after staring at a computer screen for a few hours, you might get dry eyes.

Dry eye treatments could help you feel more at ease. Eye drops and lifestyle changes are possible treatments.

Causes of Dry Eye

• When you don't generate enough aqueous fluid, or liquid tears, you may have dry eyes. This disorder is known medically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Typical reasons for reduced tear production are as follows:
  • Growing Older
  • Certain illnesses, such as sarcoidosis, thyroid issues, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, graft versus host disease, Sjogren's syndrome, or vitamin A deficiency
  • A few medications, such as hormone replacement therapy, decongestants, antidepressants, antihistamines, and medications for high blood pressure, acne, birth control, and Parkinson's disease
  • Corneal nerve de-sensitivity brought on by using contact lenses, injury to the nerves, or laser eye surgery, however the symptoms of dry eyes associated with this treatment are often transient
• It is possible for the meibomian glands, which are tiny glands on the border of your eyelids, to clog and form an oily film. In those with rosacea or other skin conditions, blocked meibomian glands are more prevalent. Higher tear evaporation is frequently caused by:
  • Meibomian gland dysfunction, or posterior blepharitis.
  • When you're focused on anything, like reading, driving, or using a computer, you may blink less frequently, which is common in situations like Parkinson's disease.
  • Issues with the eyelids, such as entropion (the turning inward of the lids) and ectropion (the expanding of the lids)
  • Allergies
  • Preservatives in topical eye drops
  • Air dry, smoke, or wind
  • Low levels of vitamin A

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Symptoms of dry eye usually impact both eyes as opposed to one. These include the following: 

• A burning, itching, or stinging feeling in your eyes
• A feeling as though something is in your eyes
• Challenges in driving at night
• Difficulty in using contact lenses
• Light sensitivity
• Mucus that is stringy in or around your eyes
• Redness in the eyes
• Vision problems or eye fatigue
• Watery eyes

When to see a doctor for Dry Eye?

If you have had persistent dry eye symptoms, such as red, itchy, fatigued, or painful eyes, consult your doctor. If something is affecting your eyes, your provider can investigate further or send you to a specialist.