What is dry eye syndrome?
When your eyes don’t get enough moisture, you develop a condition called dry eye syndrome. Your tears keep your eyes moist and protect them from irritants. You can have dry eye because you don’t produce enough tears or you produce low-quality tears that don’t have all the necessary chemicals.
In addition to dryness, symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- Stinging, burning, and/or scratchiness
- A feeling of something stuck in your eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Heavy, fatigued eyes
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Watery eyes that are still irritated
Don’t ignore any of these symptoms. Dry eye syndrome can cause lasting damage to your eyes if you don’t address it. Dry eyes are more likely to become infected or damaged.
What causes dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome has many different causes. You might not produce enough tears or you could be making low-quality tears because of:
Contact lenses
If you’re wearing inappropriate contact lenses, your eyes can feel dry, scratchy, and irritated.
Screen use
You blink less when you spend hours on end looking at a computer, smartphone, or tablet, so your tears evaporate faster.
Aging
It’s normal to start producing fewer tears around 50.
Environmental factors
Smoke, air conditioning, and wind can cause dry eyes. Some people also experience dry eyes when they ride a bicycle or fly on an airplane.
Chronic illness
Conditions including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, and lupus can cause dry eyes as a symptom.
Medication
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications cause dry eyes as a side effect.
Your doctor at Ramirez & Poulos, MD, PA, helps find out what’s causing your dry eye syndrome.
How is dry eye syndrome treated?
If your eyes are only mildly dry, your condition could improve with over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. If your eyes are moderately or severely dry, your ophthalmologist can prescribe medication to reduce the inflammation in your eyes and/or help you produce more and higher-quality tears.
For lasting relief from dry eyes, it’s important to address what’s causing the problem. For example, if you take a medication that causes dry eyes as a side effect, you might need to switch to a different medication. In some cases, you just need to make simple changes to your everyday habits like taking regular breaks when you work on the computer.
Dry eyes caused by meibomian gland dysfunction can be treated with our TearCare system for long lasting relief.
To get help with your dry eyes, schedule an appointment at Ramirez & Poulos, MD, PA.
