Most people take their eyes for granted. When they are not feeling any discomfort and can see clearly, they rarely give their eyes a second thought. However, there are times when the eyes make their presence known.

At such times, they can make your life miserable. Dry eye syndrome is an example of a highly frustrating eye condition. As most sufferers confess, the symptoms can range from slightly unpleasant to painful. 

What Are Healthy Tears?

Ideally, your eyes should work like a well-oiled machine. The tear film consists of three layers, an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucus layer closest to the cornea. Your tear film should have a proper mix to maintain healthy tears which lubricate and coat the eyes, wash away irritants, nourish cells, and keep the eye’s surface smooth.

What Are Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes occur when your tears evaporate too quickly or when you do not produce sufficient tears to keep your eyes moist. The condition is more common in the elderly and tends to affect women more than men.

Symptoms

• Itchiness, burning, or stinging
   

• Stringy mucus
   

• Redness or pain
   

• Gritty or sandy feeling
   

• Sensitivity to light
   

• Eye fatigue
   

• Temporary blurred vision
   

• Heavy eyelids
   

• Periods of excessive tearing followed by dry eyes
   

• Eyestrain from computer use or reading
   

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Common Causes of Dry Eyes

Aging

Eye degeneration as you age can lead to dry eyes. That is because proteins that help make up your tear film tend to decline as you age, reducing the volume of tears you produce. 

Systemic Diseases Like Diabetes and Autoimmune Diseases

Diabetes can damage nerve tissue, interrupting tear secretion. That causes the eyes to become dry, especially when blood sugar levels are out of control. Also, autoimmune disorders like lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause eye inflammation, leading to dry eyes.

Hormone Changes

Hormonal changes occur during pregnancy, menopause, and when you take hormonal birth control. One of the possible side effects of these changes is dry eyes.

Environmental Factors

Windy, dry, or smoky environments can increase tear evaporation, leading to dry eyes. Staring at a digital screen for prolonged periods can cause dry eyes due to insufficient blinking. 

Medications

Experts associate medications like antidepressants, decongestants, birth control pills, and antihistamines with dry eyes. Other drugs that can increase your risk for dry eyes include those for anxiety, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, and hormone replacement therapy.

Treatment

There are several treatment options for dry eyes. If you suffer from this eye condition, it is best to ask your eye doctor at Gratitude Vision Optometry for the most appropriate treatment. Options include the following:

 

• Artificial tears and ointments
   

• Temporary punctal occlusion to close the duct that drains the tears from your eyes
   

• Punctal occlusion by cautery and non-dissolving punctal plugs
   

• Nutrition
   

• Omega 3 and fish oil supplements
   

• Eye masks
   

• Corticosteroids

Conclusion

If you experience dry eye symptoms frequently or for more than one week, you should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. If left untreated, this disorder can become a progressive and chronic condition that puts you at risk for complications. These include eye infections and damage to the eye’s surface.

For more about dry eye syndrome, visit Gratitude Vision Optometry at our Baldwin Park, California office. Call (626) 587-0033 to schedule an appointment today.