Dry Eye 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Dry eye is a disease that commonly affects many people worldwide. It occurs when your eyes do not produce adequate or quality tears to keep your eye surface lubricated and moist. As a result, you experience irritation and discomfort that can cause other vision problems if untreated.

Dry Eye Symptoms

Eye stinging or burning - The eyes can feel uncomfortable and dry due to a lack of moisture and lubrication. Hence, you may experience a burning or stinging feeling.
Eye redness - Dry eyes lead to irritation and inflammation that can cause redness.
Light sensitivity - Eye dryness makes the eyes sensitive to light.
Gritty feeling in your eyes - Dry eyes can make you feel like you have something like grit or sand in your eyes.
Blurred vision - Insufficient tear film will cause blurred vision. You may experience this when working on your computer or reading.
Excessive tearing - The lack of moisture can make your eyes overcompensate by tearing excessively. As a result, your eyes may experience blurred vision.

Causes of Dry Eye

Below are some of the factors that cause dry eye:

Age - As you grow old, your tear production reduces.
Hormonal changes - Hormonal imbalances can lead to dry eyes. Most women experience this during menopause or pregnancy.
Medical conditions - There are certain diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, that cause dry eyes.
Environmental factors - Exposure to dry or windy environments or using the computer for long hours can cause your eyes to dry.
Medications - Antidepressants, decongestants, or antihistamines can dry your eyes.

Diagnosis

Your eye specialist will have to conduct a comprehensive eye examination to diagnose whether you have dry eye. They will thoroughly assess your eyes and the quality and quantity of tears you produce. They will analyze the severity of the condition by doing other tests like the tear film breakup test or the Schirmer test.

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eyes come from a lack of moisture or lubrication on your eye surface. Artificial tears can help moisturize and lubricate your eyes. You can get them over the counter and use them as often as possible to keep your eyes comfortable and relieve dry eye symptoms. Your eye doctor can also prescribe eye drops that may be stronger to help with your symptoms.

You can treat dry eye by making a few lifestyle changes. Using a humidifier in your home can add moisture to the dry air indoors. It is also vital to take frequent breaks from using the computer. Staring at a screen for a long time reduces your blinking frequency.

Blinking spreads tears across your eye surface, keeping it moist and lubricated. Try the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes of working on your computer, take a 20 seconds break and stare at an object or point 20 feet away from you. Put on sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from environmental irritants like dust and the wind.

Your nutrition plays a crucial role in your eye health. You can improve tear production by consuming a healthy balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.