Few things are as frustrating as dealing with dry eyes. There are several causes for dry eyes, including staring at your phone or computer screen for too long, the wind blowing in your eyes, and seasonal allergies. Do your eyes dry out often? Not sure what’s causing your eyes to dry out? You may suffer from chronic dry eyes or some other condition preventing your eyes from being properly lubricated. Learn more about what causes dry eye, what your treatment options are, and where you can get professional help.
What Is Dry Eye?
When your tear gland doesn’t produce enough lubrication (tears) for your eyes, they begin to dry out. In some cases, dry eyes may feel irritating. In other cases, it can be a chronic pain to deal with. Common symptoms among those who suffer from dry eyes include scratchy, dry, and painful sensations, a constant feeling that something is in their eye, blurred vision, and more. You may also experience redness and sensitivity to light. Windy and dry environments tend to be associated with dry eyes for obvious reasons, but other environmental factors, such as allergies also play a role.
Symptoms of Chronic Dry Eye
Although you may have experienced dry eye, there is a big difference between chronic dry eye and temporary dry eye. But how do you know if your dry eye symptoms are signs of a chronic issue or not? Think about how often your eyes dry out. If they dry out constantly, then you likely suffer from chronic dry eye. People with autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or contact lenses tend to suffer from chronic dry eye.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Another reason that your eyes dry out could be because of dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Those who suffer from dry eye syndrome actually overproduce tears as their bodies try to accommodate their irritated eyes. It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s your body’s natural defense against dry eyes. The problem is, the tears produced often do not contain enough water. This may lead to further irritation, blurred vision, and itchy eyes.
Causes of Dry Eye
As mentioned earlier, there can be a number of causes for your dry eyes, including environment, personal habits, and eye conditions. One of the most common causes of dry eye is Blepharitis. This eye condition is caused by inflammation of the oil glands in your eyelids. Symptoms of Blepharitis include red, itchy, and swollen eyelids. Other symptoms include sensitivity to lights, a burning sensation in your eye, and blurry vision. If you’re taking prescription medication, check with your doctor if dry eye is one of the side effects.
Treatment Options for Dry Eye
You may find relief for your dry eyes in home remedies or over-the-counter solutions. Eye drops, humidifiers, or simply resting your eyes are all great ways to relieve yourself. But you can also incorporate fatty acids, which provide vitamins and nutrients for your eye health. Rubbing certain creams and ointments around your eye can sometimes help as well. If none of these solutions work, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a professional at Cleveland Eye Clinic. Let us provide you with answers and treatments so you can get back to enjoying life without a dry eye.
