Dealing With Dry Eyes
Tears serve as a protective coating for the eyes. They keep the eyes moist, provide essential nutrients, and wash away dust and other particles. When the eyes don't produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, the result is a condition that doctors may call:
- keratitis sicca
- keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- xerophthalmia
- dry eye syndrome
- or more popularly known as "dry eye" or "dry eyes."
Symptoms of Dry Eyes
Just as the name suggests, this condition makes the eyes feel dry, scratchy, and gritty. Other symptoms may include:
- burning
- stinging
- itching
- pain
- sensitivity to light
- redness
- blurry vision
- a feeling that there is a speck of dirt in the eyes
- a stringy discharge from the eyes
What are Reflex Tears?
Though it may seem strange, dry eye can cause the eyes to water. This can happen because the eyes are irritated. You may experience excessive tearing the same way you would if something got in your eye.
But these tears won't necessarily make the eyes feel better. Reflex tears -the watery type that are produced in response to injury, irritation, or emotion -don't have the lubricating qualities necessary to prevent dry eyes. Tear film is made of water, oil, and mucus, all of which are important for maintaining good eye health. The cornea, which covers the front of the eye, needs these tears continuously to protect it against infection.
Most people who have dry eyes experience mild irritation with no long-term effects. But if the condition is left untreated or becomes severe, eye damage and vision loss can occur. Severe problems with dry eyes can cause:
- eye inflammation
- corneal infection
- scarring
When dry eye symptoms are severe, they can interfere with quality of life. Some people may have trouble keeping their eyes open or they may not be able to work or drive. Fortunately, identifying the cause of the problem and seeking treatment early can make a big difference in easing the discomfort.
Common Causes of Dry Eyes
Aging:
Aging is one of the most common causes of dry eyes because tear production decreases as we get older.
Hormonal Changes:
Dry eye affects more women than men because hormonal changes, such as those that occur in pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause, can decrease tear production.
Environmental Factors:
Environmental conditions also can play a role in making the eyes dry, these include:
- wind
- heat
- dust
- air conditioning
- cigarette smoke
- even hair dryers can make the eyes dry
Some people benefit from avoiding dusty, smoky areas, wearing sunglasses, and using a humidifier to moisten the surrounding air.
Not Blinking Enough:
Another common culprit is not blinking enough, which happens during activities such as watching TV and computer use. Each time you blink, it coats the eye with tears. You normally blink about every 12 seconds. Studies have been conducted on people playing computer games, and it was found that some people blinked once or twice in three minutes.
Contact Lenses:
Experts believe, about half of all people who wear contact lenses complain of dry eyes. That's because soft contact lenses, which float on the tear film that covers the cornea, absorb the tears in the eyes.
Laser Vision Correction and Other Procedures:
Dry eye also occurs or gets worse after LASIK and other refractive surgeries, in which the corneal nerves are cut during creation of a corneal flap. The corneal nerves stimulate tear secretion. If you've had dry eyes from wearing contact lenses or for any other reason and you are thinking about refractive surgery, this is something to consider.
Certain Medications:
Dry eyes also can be caused by certain medications, including:
- antihistamines
- some antidepressants
- birth control pills
- nasal decongestants
- the prescription acne drug Accutane
Autoimmune Diseases:
Some autoimmune diseases, can attack the tear glands such as:
Lupus, an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints.
Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets moisture-producing glands and causes dryness in the mouth and eyes.
Other Diseases:
Other diseases can also cause dry eyes. For example, certain types of thyroid disease can interfere with blinking. Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids, can interfere with the oil glands in the eyes.
