Dry Eyes

Why Are My Eyes So Dry?

Here are some of the symptoms of dry eye.

  • You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
  • Blurred vision, especially when reading
  • There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
  • There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
  • Your eyes are red or irritated. This is especially true when you are in the wind or near cigarette smoke.
  • It is painful to wear contact lenses.
  • You have lots of tears in your eyes.
  • Having a lot of tears in your eyes with dry eyes might sound odd. But your eyes make more tears when they are irritated by dry eyes.

What Are the Main Causes of Dry Eye?

People tend to make fewer tears as they get older due to hormonal changes. Both men and women can get dry eye. However, it is more common in women—especially those who have gone through menopause.

Here are some other causes of dry eye.

  • Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, and lupus
  • Blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red)
  • Entropion (when eyelids turn in); ectropion (eyelids turn outward)
  • Being in smoke, wind or a very dry climate
  • Looking at a computer screen for a long time, reading and other activities that reduce blinking
  • Using contact lenses for a long time
  • Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK
  • Taking certain medicines: Tell your ophthalmologist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take.

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

  • Your ophthalmologist will begin with an eye exam. They will look at your eyelids and the surface of the eye. They will also check how you blink.
  • There are many different tests that help diagnose dry eyes. Your ophthalmologist may do a test that measures the quality or the thickness of your tears. They may also measure how quickly you produce tears.

Does Dry Eye Go Away?

  1. Treating Dry Eye by Adding Tears
    • Your ophthalmologist might tell you to use artificial tears. These are eye drops that are like your own tears. You can use artificial tears as often as you need to. You can buy artificial tears without a prescription. There are many brands. Try a few until you find a brand that works best for you.
    • If you use artificial tears more than six times a day or are allergic to preservatives, you should use preservative-free tears. This is because the tears with preservatives may start to irritate your eyes.
  1. Stop Dry Eye by Saving Tears
    • Your ophthalmologist may suggest blocking your tear ducts. This makes your natural tears stay in your eyes longer. Tiny silicone or gel plugs (called punctal plugs) may be inserted in your tear ducts. These plugs can be removed later as needed. Your ophthalmologist could also recommend surgery that permanently closes your tear ducts.
  2. Your ophthalmologist might have you use a prescription eyedrop medication. This helps your eyes make more of their own tears.
  3. Treating Dry Eye Culprits
    • If your eyes are irritated, your ophthalmologist can treat those problems. They may recommend:
      1. prescription eye drops or ointments
      2. warm compresses on the eyes
      3. massaging your eyelids
      4. certain eyelid cleaners

Dry Eye Prevention Tips

  • Try not to use a hair dryer, if possible.
  • Stay away from very warm rooms. In the winter, add moisture to the air with a humidifier. Or put a pan of water near your heater or radiator.
  • Protect your eyes from the drying wind by wearing wrap-around glasses outside.
  • Talk to your ophthalmologist about adding Supplements to your diet for dry eye relief like flax seeds, or other Supplements.
  • Do you wake up with dry and scratchy eyes? Use artificial tear ointment or thick eye drops just before you go to bed.

1. What is Dry Eye? 

Dry eye is a common eye condition, in which a person doesn’t have enough quality tears to  lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front  surface of the eye and for providing clear vision.

2. Why Tears are important for our eyes?

Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the  eye and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. When we blink, the tear film spreads  evenly over the eye. This keeps the eye’s surface smooth and clear. The tear film is important for  good vision.

3. How common Dry eye is in India & why is it important to know about Dry Eye? 

  • The prevalence of DED in India is higher than the global prevalence and it ranges from 18.4% to  54.3%, which means up to 2 to 5 people out of 10 might be suffering from dry eye.
  • A large-scale study in India estimated that, based on current incidence rates, nearly half of  India’s urban population is likely to be affected by dry eye disease by 2030, making it a big  health concern.
  • Even rural India is likely to see 1.7 Crore new dry eye patients every year. ∙ Men were noted to be at higher risk in their twenties or thirties, while women were more  vulnerable in their forties and fifties.
  • Dry eye disease not only affects the patient’s vision but also disturbs their quality of life,  causing anxiety and depression, often affecting their professional productivity.
  • Moreover, dry eyes, at times, can be associated with medical conditions,  which if neglected can lead to irreversible visual impairment and blindness.
  • However, if detected early and treated appropriately, patients can lead a normal life.

4. What are the causes of Dry Eye?

  • Dry eye is a multifactorial condition, meaning multiple factors can cause Dry eye. 
  • Age. Dry eyes are a part of the natural aging process. The majority of people over age 65  experience some symptoms of dry eyes.
  •  Gender. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes due to hormonal changes caused by  pregnancy, the use of medicines and menopause.
  • Medications. Certain medicines can reduce tear production.
  • Medical conditions. People with certain medical problems are  more likely to have symptoms of dry eyes.
  • Also, problems with inflammation of the eyelids  (blepharitis), inflammation of the surfaces of the eye, or the inward or outward turning of  eyelids can cause dry eyes to develop.
  • Environmental conditions: Exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates can increase tear  evaporation resulting in dry eye symptoms.
  • Occupational conditions: Failure to blink regularly, when staring at a computer screen for  long periods of time, can also contribute to drying of the eyes.
  • Other factors. Long-term use of contact lenses can be a factor in the development of dry  eyes.
  • Refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, can decrease tear production and  contribute to dry eyes.

5. How do I know if I have Dry eye? What are its symptoms?

  • You feel like your eyes are stinging and burning.
  • Blurred vision, especially when reading
  • There is a scratchy or gritty feeling like something is in your eye.
  • There are strings of mucus in or around your eyes.
  • Your eyes are red or irritated. This is especially true when you are in the wind or near cigarette  smoke.
  • It is painful to wear contact lenses.
  • You have lots of tears in your eyes. Having a lot of tears in your eyes with dry eyes might sound odd. But your eyes make more tears when  they are irritated by dry eyes.

6. What shall I do to reduce the symptoms of dry eyes?

You can take the following steps to reduce symptoms of dry eyes:

  • Remember to blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for long  periods of time.
  • Increase the humidity in the air at the workplace and at home.
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors, particularly those with wraparound frames, to reduce  exposure to drying winds and the sun.
  • Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye  symptoms in some people. Ask your doctor if taking dietary supplements could help your  dry eye problems.
  • Avoiding becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses) each day.  ∙ Avoid air getting blown in your eyes by directing car heaters away from your face.
  • Avoid environments that are drier than normal, such as deserts, airplanes, and places at high altitudes.

7. When to see a doctor for dry eyes?

See your health care provider if you’ve had prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes, including  red, irritated, tired or painful eyes.