Dry Eyes Resource Center

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or your tears evaporate too quickly, leading to inflammation on the surface of the eye. You might experience symptoms like a gritty sensation, redness, and watery eyes, and you may find it challenging to wear contact lenses or drive at night. Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation or stimulate more tears, and it sometimes involves procedures like plugging the tear ducts to reduce tear loss. Lifestyle factors, such as reducing screen time and being aware of environmental conditions, play a significant role in managing dry eyes.

FAQ

What causes dry eyes?

Environmental irritants, skin diseases that affect the eyes, hormonal changes in women, allergies, eye surgery, and chronic inflammation can cause dry eyes. Not blinking enough, taking certain medications, having vitamin deficiencies, and long-term contact lens use can also contribute.

Common dry eye symptoms include stinging, burning, itchiness, redness, pain, and a feeling that something is stuck in your eye. You may also notice stringy discharges, briefly blurry vision, temporarily watery eyes, increased light sensitivity, and heavy eyelids.

Eye doctors, or ophthalmologists, can closely examine different parts of the eye, including the eyelids and cornea, to make a diagnosis. They will also conduct tests to measure tear production and quality using a special dye.

For mild cases, various over-the-counter artificial tears are available. More severe dry eye may require prescription eye drops or nasal sprays with cyclosporine, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and tear-preserving or tear-stimulating agents. Surgical procedures are also available.

Looking away from your computer screen every 20 minutes, blinking regularly, and using eye protection when there is strong wind may relieve or prevent dry eyes. Drinking enough water, stopping smoking, and removing makeup daily can also help.

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Resources
  1. Dry Eyes. Mayo Clinic. September 23, 2022.

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