Dry eyes plague many people. They can be a nuisance, making you feel drowsy or blurring your vision. Dry eyes may be something you think you can live with, but they can actually cause damage to the front surface your eyes, impairing your vision. Stop living with dry eyes! Learn more about why your eyes might be dry and how you can help reduce your symptoms of dry eye:
Why are my eyes dry?
There are many factors that may cause dry eyes. You can find a list below of some common causes of dry eyes:
- Laser eye surgery - eye surgery can decrease tear production
- Smoking - smoking can cause tear evaporation, increasing the dryness of your eyes
- Medications - certain medicines can reduce tear production
- Gender - women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes, including pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and menopause
- Age - most people over the age of 65 experience at least some symptoms of dry eyes
- Climate - dry or windy climates can cause dry eyes
- Staring at a computer or TV screen without blinking for a long period of time without blinking regularly
- Wearing contacts - long-term use of contacts can contribute to dry eyes
What can I do?
A comprehensive eye exam can usually catch dry eyes, and your optometrist may have some suggestions for you based on your particular situation. Here are some general things you can do that may help:
- Use eye drops
- Change your contacts out regularly, either daily or monthly according to your optometrist's direction
- Blink regularly
- Humidifier/increase the humidity at work or home
- Nutritional supplements
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid smoke
If you have dry eyes, discuss with your optometrist possible causes, and what you should do to improve the dryness.
Sources:
https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye
https://yoursightmatters.com/dry-eye-can-be-dangerous-7-ways-to-treat-and-prevent-it/
https://nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye
