Have you ever paid attention to how often this happens when your eyes feel dry, itchy, scratchy, or even watery?
When these symptoms first appear, many people carry on with their normal routines until they become intolerable. They are unaware that these are signs of dry eye syndrome, a condition where the volume of tears produced is insufficient. This is a problem that won't just go away.
Why Do Constant Dry Eyes Occur?
One of the traits of dry eye syndrome, or tear film dysfunction, is a decrease in the number or quality of tears produced. Tears are essential for the eyes' comfort, health, and optimal vision. The tear film should always cover the eyes for optimal vision and to prevent dry eyes.
As a result, the tear film will become unstable, causing dry spots on the eye's surface and disruptions in the outer barrier of the eye's epithelial surface. This may occur if the glands that create tears begin to produce tears less frequently or tears with an unbalanced composition of water, lipids, proteins, and electrolytes.
Bacteria can enter the eye through the tear in the outer layer and irritate and inflame it. The disorder may be affected by various things, such as prescription medications, the environment, problems with the eyelids, and damaged tear glands.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eyes?
As was already mentioned, a wide range of dryness-related symptoms can include burning, stinging, itching, a gritty sensation, pain, or the perception that something is in the eye.
Additionally, the eyes may be sensitive to light, wind, and smoke and may be irritated. The vision may double or become foggy, and the eyes may become easily weary.
A common symptom that gets better with blinking is hazy vision. Blur is caused by either the tear film failing to form a smooth coating across the eye's surface or evaporating too quickly.
Additionally, wearing contacts could result in some eye discharge, pain, and discomfort.
Excessive crying is one of the most perplexing signs of dry eyes. Despite their best efforts, this is because the tears the eyes produce are of poor quality and do not sufficiently moisten the eye's surface.
Reducing Symptoms
When you have dry eyes, the first thing to do is to see if you are taking any medications, acting badly, or being exposed to any environmental factors that might be the problem. Antihistamines and decongestants, diuretics, sleeping pills, birth control, antidepressants, acne medications, ACE inhibitors, and opiate-based painkillers like morphine are a few of the medications that could result in dry eyes as a side effect.
Never stop taking a prescription medication without first talking to your doctor. Do not discontinue taking medicine if you suspect it is the source of your dry eyes without consulting your doctor. Perhaps managing dry eye issues is less difficult than stopping or changing prescription medication.
You may be able to alter your environment if you want to decrease the impact of dry eyes. For instance, the environment's following elements can exacerbate dry eyes:
- wearing contact lenses
- using technology or computers frequently
- being subjected to dry, windy, or air currents (such as an air conditioner or heater)
- exposure to smoke
- high altitudes
The Dry Eye Treatment
Contact your optometrist to schedule an appointment if you experience dry eye symptoms. Along with a comprehensive eye exam, your medical history, the particulars of the illness, and the suggested treatments will all be reviewed.
The doctor may conduct a tear film test to evaluate your tears' quantity and quality and the condition of your tear film and glands.
The type of therapy required will depend on the underlying cause of the issue. The use of artificial tears, eye drops, or ointments to lubricate the eyes, wearing sunglasses in windy conditions, reducing computer use, or switching to a different contact lens are additional treatments.
- Steroid or antibiotic drops or pills may treat some conditions, such as blepharitis.
- In some cases, surgery may be advised; in other cases, silicone plugs block tear ducts to lessen tear drainage, and medications like Restasis reduce pain while increasing tear production.
- Scleral lenses that maintain moisture on the surface of the eyeball
The most important thing to understand is that if you have dry eyes, you shouldn't have to feel pain. Treatments are available to increase eye moisture and lessen the uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening symptoms. If you are experiencing pain, schedule a consultation with your eye doctor immediately to get the help you require.
Conclusion
Dry eyes are a common problem, and there are many potential causes. If you are experiencing dry eyes, it is important to see an eye doctor to determine the cause and find the best treatment. There are a variety of treatments available, including the best eye mask for dry eyes, and the best one for you will depend on the cause of your dry eyes.
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