Dry eyes is a common condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This can cause irritation and discomfort. If you have dry eyes, you may feel like you always have something in your eye, like sand. You also may experience a burning sensation, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
You can take some steps to help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes. Eye care professionals may also prescribe artificial tears, which are drops that help lubricate and protect the eyes. This article will share the most common causes of dry eyes and how to prevent them.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Many things can cause dry eyes, including:
Decreased Tear Production
This can happen due to aging, hormonal changes, certain medications, and medical conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome. The loss of tears can cause the eyes to become dry, irritated, and uncomfortable. To treat this, your eye care doctor may prescribe artificial tears or recommend a change in medication.
Evaporation of Tears
If you have a problem with the quality of your tears, they may evaporate too quickly. This can be caused by windy or dry climates, smoking, long-term contact lens wear, and certain medical conditions. For example, people with diabetes are more likely to have a problem with tears evaporating too quickly.
Tips For Dry Eye Prevention
There are some things you can do to prevent dry eyes, such as:
- Limit your time in front of screens. This includes TVs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. If you must be in front of a screen, take breaks every 20 minutes to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes and contribute to dryness. If you want to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about available resources.
- Avoid air blowing in your eyes, such as fans, hairdryers, or car vents. This can cause the tears to evaporate too quickly or irritate the eyes.
- Be aware of your environment. Dry eye treatment is often different depending on the season. In the winter, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home. In the summer, spend time in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible.
Looking for an Optometrist in Bourbonnais, IL?
Nicholas Rutkowski O.D & Associates is a full-service optometry clinic offering comprehensive dry eye treatment. Our experienced eye doctors can help you find the cause of your dry eyes and develop the right treatment plan for you.
Go with the best optometrists in Bourbonnais, IL, and schedule an appointment with Nicholas Rutkowski O.D & Associates today! Just hit the link below to contact us now!