Dry Eyes Causes

Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome is an eye problem where the eyes dry out due to lack of enough tears. Find out more information about dry eyes causes and treatment, with this article.

Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome is the condition, where there is either insufficient production of tears, or abnormal composition of the tear film, which causes increased evaporation. Tears are actually a combination of water, oils, mucus and some antibodies and proteins. Tears help to maintain moisture in the eyes and provide lubrication. When there is not enough tears, or the tears produced are watery in nature, they cannot provide moisture and lubrication to the eyes, which eventually cause the eyes to dry out and affect vision. Dry eyes or 'Keratoconjunctivitis sicca' is one of the most uncomfortable eye problems around. There can be a number of dry eyes causes, which are explained below.

Causes of Dry Eyes

An insufficient production of tears, coupled with imbalance in the tear flow system can be considered as the most important factors that can cause dry eyes. However, it can also be due to an abnormal composition of the tear film. Sometimes, the tears produced do not contain enough lipid or mucus, for which it becomes watery and so, tends to evaporate quickly. This can result in excessive tear evaporation, which can be accentuated by environmental factors like, hot and dry air or dry climates, air pollution, excessive exposure to sunlight and air conditioning.

For the elderly, dry eyes can be associated with aging, as tear production tends to decrease with growing age. Women, in particular can face this condition after menopause. Dry eyes is often a very common complaint among the users of contact lenses. Individuals who have undergone LASIK or laser eye surgery and other refractive eye surgeries can get dry eyes for a couple of months, following the surgery. A large number of cases of dry eyes can be attributed to eye injury or trauma, and intake of certain medications like, antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, decongestants, diuretics, antidepressants, birth control pills and sleeping pills. Find out more about contact lenses and dry eyes.

In addition to these factors, some other possible dry eyes causes are eyelid problems such as, droopy eyelid and bulging eye, chemical burns, thyroid problems, vitamin A deficiency, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, as well as diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's disease, blepharitis, rosacea and glaucoma. Every time we blink the eyes, it helps to stimulate the production of tears and also coats the eye with tears. So, the activities that reduce the rate of blinking such as, watching the computer screen or TV for a prolonged time period, as well as driving and reading for a long time, can worsen the condition of dry eyes.

Dry eyes Symptoms

Usually, one can experience the following symptoms with dry eye syndrome:

Pain

A burning or gritty sensation in the eyes

A feeling that there is dirt or sand in the eye

Itching or irritation

Increased sensitivity to light

Eye fatigue

Blurring vision

Tearing

The symptom 'tearing' can be a bit confusing, as dry eyes has already been mentioned to be caused by lack of enough tears in the eyes. The reason for such tearing is eye irritation, due to the lack of enough lubrication. These are basically reflex tears, that the body produces in response to injury, irritation, emotion and to compensate for the dryness of the eyes. But, this type of tear is watery and does not possess the lubricating qualities, for which it fails to provide relief.

Dry Eyes Treatment

There is no cure for dry eyes, though the condition can be managed with a number of treatment options. Usually, artificial tear drops and ointments are the preferred option for managing dry eye syndrome. Autologous serum eye drops that contain certain essential tear components can too prove helpful in treating dry eyes. Dry eyes caused by contacts can be relieved to an extent by switching to special contact lenses, manufactured especially for dry eyes. However, contact lenses, whether the usual contact lenses, or the ones for the dry eyes, should not be left overnight. This will help to avoid dry eyes caused by contact lenses to a great extent.

Lubricating ointments can also be applied either at bedtime, or several times during the day, depending on the severity of the condition. Sometimes, topical steroid preparation are also employed in the treatment of this condition, especially if there is eye inflammation. Some other treatment options for dry eyes are, temporary and permanent punctal occlusion. The punctal occlusion process involves inserting a plug into the tear drain or 'puncta', present on the lower eyelid. The plug helps to hold the tears around the eyes. More information on:

Contacts for Dry Eyes

Dry Eye Medication - Treatment for Dry Eyes

Dry Eyes and Lasik Eye Surgery - Dry Eye After Lasik

If all these treatment options fail to provide relief, then your physician may opt for surgery, where the ducts that carry tears into the nose are closed, so as to ensure that more tears can remain around the eye. Along with proper treatment and eye care, it has been observed that omega-3 fatty acids can help to lower the incidence of dry eyes. Therefore, consumption of fish, rich in this essential fatty acid, may prove helpful in preventing dry eyes. At the same time, knowledge about the dry eyes causes, and the factors that aggravate the condition is equally important to manage this eye problem. So, people with dry eye syndrome should increase their rate of blinking, and also take appropriate measures to protect their eyes from windy or dry climate, and smoke and dust.