Spotlight on Dry Eyes

Dry eyes occur when tear production is inadequate to sufficiently lubricate the eyes, leading to discomfort. According to the National Eye Institute, millions of people in the United States are affected by dry eyes.

Dry eyes can cause mild to significant discomfort, interfering with quality of life. Understanding dry eyes can help you get the proper treatment to ease symptoms.
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Continue reading to learn about causes of dry eyes, home remedies, and professional treatment options. 

​What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes develop if you do not make enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated. Dry eyes may involve an acute situation, or the condition can become chronic. There are several causes of dry eyes. In some cases, a combination of factors leads to the condition. Possible causes of dry eyes include:

• Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy and menopause
• Allergies
• Medication side effects
• Medical conditions
  
• Air quality

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What happens when you have dry eyes? 

Tears are vital to maintain the health of the surface of your eye. Tears keep your eyes moist. However, they also do much more. Adequate tear production helps:

• Keep the surface of the eye clear
• Wash away foreign matter
• Decrease the risk of infection

If you develop dry eyes, you may have some or all of the symptoms below.

• Irritated, dry eyes
• Burning 
• Redness
• A feeling like something is in the eyes
• Blurriness
• Itchiness

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Can dry eyes cause lasting damage? 

Dry eyes do not usually cause lasting damage to the eyes or vision. However, if left untreated, they can have potential complications, such as:

Corneal scratch: Ongoing dry eyes may lead to corneal scratches, increasing discomfort.

Infection: Your tears contain natural chemicals that help protect the eyes. If the eyes become too dry, they are less equipped to fight off infections.

Chronic discomfort: Dry eyes can continue to cause discomfort. Chronic irritation can go beyond just physical pain. It may interfere with quality sleep and everyday activities, such as driving, and affect the overall quality of life and wellness.
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Dry eye treatment 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, many people with dry eyes need a combination of treatments to alleviate symptoms.

Treatment may include home remedies, including:

• Over-the-counter eye drops, such as artificial tears
• Taking breaks from the computer screen to reduce digital eye strain
• Using a humidifier to reduce dryness in the air
• Wearing sunglasses outside to protect against wind and sun, which can further dry the eyes

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Medical treatment 

In some cases, home remedies are not enough to ease symptoms. However, medical treatment is available, and new therapies continue to emerge. For example, some people develop dry eyes because their tears evaporate too quickly. Miebo is a prescription eye drop that helps prevent the tears from evaporating as fast.

Other types of dry eye treatment are also available, including punctal plugs. A punctal plug is a small device, typically about the size of a grain of rice, that is inserted into the tear ducts to help treat dry eye. These plugs work by blocking the drainage of tears, allowing them to remain on the eye's surface longer, which can help to relieve symptoms like dryness, irritation, and redness. 

Remember, you do not need to suffer from dry eyes. Treatment options are available that can ease symptoms. If you would like to ask about an appointment with one of our eye doctors to discuss dry eye symptom relief or any other eye concern, call our office at 508-746-8600.