Dry eyes are a common condition. Healthy eyes are always covered by fluid, but when the eye doesn’t make enough tears, dry eyes can result.
Common symptoms of dry eyes are:
- A burning or scratchy feeling in your eyes
- Eye irritation and tearing
- Feeling as if your eyes are tired
- Sensitivity to light
- Problems wearing contact lenses
- Blurred vision that can get worse at the end of the day or after doing the same task for a long time
Common causes of dry eyes include:
- The natural aging process
- Side effects of certain medicines, such as antihistamines
- Exposure to sun, wind or a dry environment
- Exposure to smoke
- Diseases that affect your ability to make tears, such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis
- Structural problems within the eyes
The good news is that effective treatment is available. It starts with a careful examination to determine what may be causing your symptoms. The goal of treatment is to keep your eyes moist.
Some people find that over-the-counter lubricating drops are helpful. In other cases, prescription medication can significantly help symptoms. If the dryness is caused by a structural problem within the eye, surgery can correct the problem.
Here are some things you can do yourself to help treat dry eyes:
- Avoid air blowing in your eyes from hair dryers, car heaters, air conditioners or fans
- Wear glasses on windy days
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
- Avoid smoky areas
- Blink repeatedly, especially when doing something that requires intense visual concentration, to help spread your own tears more evenly
- When concentrating visually on a task for a long time, rest your eyes periodically by closing them
Most people with dry eyes don’t experience any long-term complications. However, if left untreated, severe dry eyes may lead to eye inflammation, infection and even scarring of the cornea.
If dry eyes are a problem for you, we invite you to schedule an appointment by calling 860-644-5011.