What are the Causes of Dry Eyes and 10 Ways to Treat Them

This article will highlight the causes of dry eyes and ways to overcome the problem through self-care and visiting an eye specialist/ophthalmologist. 

About Dry Eyes

The strained, slight itch, strain, and mild pain accompanied by dull and red eyes are a few things to describe dry eye condition; one can feel all these signs when watching TV, Mobile phones for unusually extended periods. These are the main causes of dry eye. Other names for dry eyes are; keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry eye syndrome, lacrimal keratoconjunctivitis, aqueous tear deficiency, evaporative tear deficiency, and Lasik-introduced neurotrophic epitheliopathy. 

As per the International Dry Eye Workshop (2007), “Dry eye is a multifactorial disease. It affects eyes and eye surfaces which ultimately leads to symptoms like discomfort, visual disturbance, tear-film instability and damage to the ocular surface”.

Causes of dry eye 

1. A gritty feeling and obvious discomfort characterise dry eyes. The pain arises when the eye cannot produce enough tears to moisten the eyes. Blinking, an involuntary phenomenon is the natural way to keep the eyes moist and safe. It is when we forget to blink that the problem begins. This is the main cause of dry eye.
2. Ageing is one of the natural and common contributors to the development of dry eyes. People aged above 65 years have dry eye problems.
3. Women are more prone to get dry eye problems than men. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause &, and oral pills consumption are the causes of dry eyes for women.
4. Antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medication & decongestants, to name a few medicines, can lead to lower moisture production, hence, dry eyes.
5. Diseases like diabetes, thyroid problem, rheumatoid arthritis, eyelid inflammation, and eye surface inflammation can lead to dry eyes.
6. Windy weather, dry climate and exposure to smoke can cause evaporation of tears & drying of eyelids hence, dry eye syndrome. 
7. Not blinking regularly while working on the computer can cause dry eyes.
8. Long-term use of contact lenses and refractive eye surgeries can lead to reduced tear production hence, the cause of dry eyes.

Read more- 7 Natural Ways To Improve Eyesight

Symptoms of Dry Eye

1. Burning of the eye
2. Eye discharge
3. Excessive tears from eyes followed by dry eyes period
4. A feeling of something is in the eye
5. Pain along with redness of eyes
6. Blurred vision
7. Inability to cry with tears
8. Emotional stress
9. Heavy eyelids
10. Discomfort upon wearing contact lenses
11. Reduced ability to do things which require focus through sustained visual attention
12. Eye fatigue

Treatment for dry eyes

1. Addition of tears to eyes– Mild dry eye conditions can be treated with artificial tears. These are available as over-the-counter medication to supplement the tear’s production. Artificial tears with fewer preservatives are good as they cause less eye irritation.
2. Tears conservation– As per this technique, the tear ducts which cause the tear to flow out from the eyes are blocked. It causes the tears to stay in the eyes for longer durations. Tiny removable silicone or gel-like caps can be used to achieve tear conservation.
3. The usage of eye drops for dry eyes can also cause an increase in tears. 
4. Omega 3 fatty acid consumption can help reduce the dryness of the eyes. 
5. Ocular surface inflammation can cause dry eyes. Eye drops, ointments, lid massage, and warm compress can correct the inflammation hence, dry eyes.
6. Simple eye exercises to prevent dry eyes- An effective exercise is lightly closing the eyes and then shutting down with a little extra force. Do these two ways of closing eyes alternatively. Do this exercise 20 times a day to increase the frequency of blinking. Which automatically increases tear production in the eyes.
7. Wear computer eyeglasses or special lenses during the use of the computer. Which will prevent dry eye conditions
8.  Increase the amount of humidity at the workplace and at home.
9. Take regular breaks while sitting in front of the computer; this will give enough rest to the eyes & Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
10. To reduce exposure to dry winds and sun, wear sunglasses when outdoors

Conclusion

Dry eye is now an ever-increasing problem. The issue has been addressed at the international level as a condition of concern; hence so much research to know the prevalence, cause of dry eye and solutions for dry eye syndrome. A lifestyle change is the main reason for a dry eye condition. The reasons can be as simple as sitting for long hours in front of a computer to more serious and complex ones like the presence of diseases and the use of medications which leads to dry eyes. Taking good care of your eyes through preventive care tips and treating the cause of dry eyes is the solution to this problem. Avail teleconsultation from our expert doctors on our online pharmacy when you place an order for medicines, or you can also download our Truemeds app to do the same. Get branded as well as generic medicines by uploading your prescription on Truemeds. When placing an order for medicines online, you may save more money by selecting alternative or generic medicine advised by Truemed’s expert doctors. And also, save up to 72% on your purchase and get free home delivery pan India.

Disclaimer – Truemeds’ sole intention is to ensure that customers have access to information that is accurate & trustworthy. However, the information here should not be used directly and it cannot act as a substitute for the advice of a doctor. The information provided is only to stay informed. The information on side effects, drug interactions or warnings, and alerts are not exhaustive. Please consult your doctor for the right advice on diseases & medication information

References 

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/44635316_Estimating_the_prevalence_of_dry_eye_among_Indian_patients_attending_a_tertiary_ophthalmology_clinic