Causes of dry eyes


Crying is good, why don’t you try it. Well, didn’t mean to sit and cry. But, lack of those tears might pose a common condition called dry eyes. It is an uncomfortable feeling that occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes.

Symptoms of dry eyes

Some of the common signs or symptoms that affects both eyes include,

·         Stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes

·         Stringy mucus in or around your eyes

·         Sensitivity to light

·         Eye redness

·         Sensation of having something in your eyes

·         Difficulty wearing contact lenses

·         Difficulty with night time driving

·         Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes

·         Blurred vision or eye fatigue

Causes of dry eyes


1.      Going old

Condition of dry eyes becomes more common the older you get. Dry eye tends to affect people over the age of 50 because tear production declines with age.

2.      Meds effect

Tears are composed of oil, water, and mucus. Certain medications, however, can reduce mucus production and contribute to chronic dry eye.

3.      Stitched to desktop

Some people who work on a computer experience eyestrain and tension headaches. In addition to these issues, staring at a computer often can also affect your tears and lead to dry eye. This is because people who work at a computer monitor tend to blink less often. As a result, their tears evaporate more quickly.

4.      Surgery

Some people begin to experience dry eye after laser vision correction surgery. This procedure cuts some of the nerves in the cornea, causing the eyes to produce fewer tears.

5.      Pause of menopause

Hormones can play a role in dry eye. Some women experience dry eye symptoms during pregnancy, menopause, or while using birth control pills. Hormones stimulate the production of tears, so an imbalance can reduce tear production.

6.      Lack of Vitamin A

Vitamin A promotes healthy eyes. Foods rich in vitamin A include eggs, carrots, fish, spinach, broccoli, and peppers. A diet low in foods that contain this vitamin can lead to dry eye and other vision impairments, such as night blindness.

7.      Wind shot

Cold climates and exposure to high winds can cause tears to evaporate too quickly, leading to chronic dryness.

8.      Sjögren’s syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes white blood cells to attack your salivary glands and tear glands, reducing tear production.

9.      Other autoimmune complaint

In addition to other symptoms, many autoimmune conditions like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes can also cause poor or insufficient tear production.

10.  Blepharitis

Blepharitis develops when small oil glands on your inner eyelid become clogged and inflamed. Along with dry eyes, you may have oily flakes around your eyelashes.

11.  Allergic to allergies

Allergies can also trigger chronic dry eye. Your eyes may appear itchy, red, and watery. An oral antihistamine can reduce your allergies, although these medications can worsen symptoms of dry eye.

12.  Trifling dehydration

Sometimes, dry eye is the result of dehydration or not drinking enough fluids. Other symptoms of dehydration include dark urine, lack of energy, dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, and not urinating.

13.  Humidity is on leave

Dry air also contributes to dry eyes. This can happen if there’s low humidity in your home, or if you sleep or work next to an air vent.

14.  Lungs on fire

Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke can also make your eyes dry.

15.   Contact lenses

Long-term use of contact lenses is another risk factor for chronic dry eye. This is because some lenses obstruct oxygen to the cornea.

Treating dry eyes

Medication

·         Artificial tear drops and ointments.

·         Temporary punctal occlusion

·         Lipiflow, a medical device

·         Testosterone cream

·         Tear boosters like Cyclosporine (Cequa, Restasis) and Lifitegrast (Xiidra).

·         One can avail the above mentioned medications from any of the online chemist shop

Personal care

·         Use eye drops

·         Use a humidifier

·         Look away from the computer or book to give your eyes a break

·         Wear glasses or eye protection to block wind

·         Use contact lenses intended for people with dry eyes

·         Take prescription medications, depending on the cause of the dryness

Ending note

Tears roll down the yes irrespective of happy or sad emotions. You are lucky if this happens, as absence of these tear drops can complicate eye health.


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