Dry Eyes: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Dry eyes is one of the most common ocular conditions and is one you've probably experienced before or will in the future. For many people, it's a temporary nuisance and not a cause for alarm. However, dry eyes can actually become a debilitating and chronic condition for some. Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options covering the full range of mild to severe cases. Let's look in more depth at what this condition is and what can be done about it.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dry eyes are very uncomfortable and can be quite a distraction. If you have dry eyes, you'll notice a number of the following signs: a burning, stinging, or scratchy sensation in the eyes; blurred vision; redness, irritation, or a feeling that there's something stuck in your eyes; light sensitivity; eye fatigue; and difficulty wearing contact lenses. 

Causes

Dry eyes occur when our tears are unable to provide sufficient lubrication. This can happen when not enough tears are being produced or if the quality of those tears is inadequate. Tears themselves are made up of a combination of water, fatty oils, and mucus—all of which are maintained in proper balance to effectively keep our eyes smooth, clear, and free from infection. Because there are a variety of things that contribute to dry eyes, it's worth distinguishing between the physiological and environmental factors. 

When the cause of dry eyes is physiological, it's a result of some change occurring in the body. Aging, for instance, is one of the most common culprits, as tear production tends to decrease the older we get.  Certain medical conditions—as well as prescription medications—can interfere with tear production, leading to dry eyes. It can also be caused by damage to the tear glands, whether from an injury or from a recent eye surgery, for example. Additionally, some people have in-turning or out-turning eyelids that can inhibit the natural lubrication process. Lastly, our overall health plays a role, too: for example, having a vitamin deficiency.

There are a variety of environmental factors that can cause dry eyes, as well. One of the most common could be related to your daily work or home environment, as many people spend extended periods of time concentrating in front of computer screens (while blinking very little), which leads to dry, uncomfortable eyes. The air around us can also be quick to cause discomfort if it lacks sufficient humidity. The same can be said for wind or smoke: for instance, having an AC vent blowing towards your face or if someone is smoking a cigarette nearby.

Treatment

By paying close attention to the potential cause(s) of our dry eyes, we can more quickly find treatments that provide relief. But, let's first review some simple, preventative measures, including: taking regular breaks during tasks that require concentration, avoiding air directed towards your face, adding humidity to your environment, wearing protective eyewear, not smoking, and even supplementing your diet with vitamins and fatty acids. Also, those who wear contacts should be advised that special lenses are available for people with dry eyes.  

If prevention is unable to resolve the discomfort, then consider reaching for the #1 solution for treating dry eyes: eyedrops. In most cases, eyedrops will do the trick, but, if not, there are still plenty of other treatment options, although they will need to focus more closely on your specific situation.

If you have an eyelid condition that causes inflammation (e.g. blepharitis), then frequent eyelid washing may provide relief. Medicated eyelid sprays also help to reduce this type of inflammation. Eyelid massages and warm compresses are both excellent for unblocking the oil glands and increasing the quality of your tears. Other treatment options include addressing any underlying health conditions you may have and also talking to your doctor about switching medications if a prescription could be causing your dry eyes. Lastly, if you have an eyelid condition, consider surgical treatment.

Since we rely so much on our eyes, maintaining ocular health should always be a top priority.  While dry eyes can be a frustrating and very uncomfortable condition, by taking preventative measures and implementing an effective treatment protocol, it doesn't have to diminish your quality of life. Please don't hesitate to talk with your eye doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

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How Your Vision Changes After You Turn 40

Just as our bodies age over the years and our minds grow wiser with time, so too will our vision undergo some important changes.  Beginning sometime around your 40th birthday, it is common—and even expected—to notice something called presbyopia, which is the gradual loss of near focusing ability.  Other changes may include subtle shifts in visual perception, dry eyes, and an increased risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts. Fortunately, there's a lot that can be done to protect your eyes and keep your vision healthy.  Let's now look in more detail at these changes and what can be done to remedy them.

Presbyopia

This common condition is a consequence of the lenses in our eyes losing flexibility, meaning that they are less able to focus light as precisely in order to create a sharp image.  Combined with the decreased elasticity in the surrounding muscle fibers, it results in difficulty focusing on objects at very close distances.  Having to hold a book or your phone farther away than you used to is the telltale symptom of presbyopia.

Because presbyopia is progressive, it will get worse over time.  However, many people find that having a set of reading glasses on hand for close-up tasks is a simple and effective solution.  Another option could be multifocal lenses, both in eyeglass form and contact lens form, which are popular because they restore clear near vision while also providing excellent vision at longer distances.  If corrective lenses aren't for you, there are also surgical options available.

Changes in Visual Perception

Other changes in our vision may also occur as we get older.  Color blending, for example, decreases the ability to detect subtle differences between two similar hues and is caused by the natural discoloration of the cornea as we age.  Difficulty seeing in low-light conditions is another common change, as is perceiving increased glare from light sources—especially at night.  Another noticeable one is floaters, or tiny bits of debris in the fluid in front of your retinas, which can be seen as speckles or shadows crossing your field of view.  While potentially a bit bothersome, all of these changes are a natural part of the aging process and typically do not require treatment.   

Dry Eyes

As we age, dry eyes become a more common occurrence.  This condition may be exacerbated by hormonal changes or by medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and even some types of pain relievers.  Generally speaking, eye drops such as artificial tears are considered to be good options. There are also other treatments available for severe dry eye patients.

Glaucoma & Cataracts

Glaucoma is a serious medical condition caused by increased ocular pressure that can damage the optic nerve and lead to progressive vision loss.  It is one of the primary causes of blindness in older adults and, unfortunately, does not often present symptoms until permanent damage has already been done.  While medical and surgical treatment can save what remains of your vision, the surest way to prevent this condition is by regularly seeing your eye doctor for a full eye exam.

Cataracts are caused by the clumping together of proteins in the lens of the eye, resulting in the lens taking on a cloudy appearance.  Symptoms include blurry vision, reduced night vision, and the illusion of halos around light sources.  In mild cases, a new eyeglass prescription may help.  In more advanced cases, surgery will be the most effective treatment.

While it's not possible to prevent our eyes from aging, it is very possible to maintain healthy vision after turning 40.  For starters, try to keep a healthy body, which will directly benefit your eyes: regular exercise, good diet, and not smoking are all valuable lifestyle choices.  Wearing sunglasses while outdoors to cut back on harmful UV rays is also a good strategy. Above all, begin to prioritize regular eye exams, as this is undoubtedly the best approach to keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear for many decades to come.