Dry Eyes Causes: Understanding the Underlying Factors
Dry eye disease is a prevalent condition characterized by insufficient lubrication of the eyes due to various factors.
This insufficiency can result from inadequate tear production or the generation of poor-quality tears.
Consequently, this tear instability can lead to inflammation and harm to the eye’s surface.
The discomfort associated with dry eyes is notable, often causing stinging or burning sensations.
According to the statistics, in 2023, around 16.7 million and 50.2 million Americans face dry eyes. It accounts for almost 5-15% of the population.
In this article, we will explore the causes of dry eyes in detail.
Causes of dry eyes
There could be several reasons behind the formation of dry eyes. A few of those are mentioned below.
Age
Aging is a natural process that changes vision and eyes.
One such change is the less production of natural tears.
People above the age of 65 might experience dryness in their eyes.
This affects their sensitivity to light and nighttime driving.
Medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome is a long-term autoimmune disorder.
It impacts the ability of the body to produce moisture, particularly in the salivary glands and eyes.
Other medical conditions, including Sarcoidosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Scleroderma, and thyroid disorders, also contribute to dry eyes.
Hormonal changes
Dry Eye Disease (DED) and chronic dry eye occur more frequently in women.
Women experience this due to hormonal changes in Menopause or pregnancy.
This event occurs when they are using hormone-suppressing or birth control pills.
Contraceptive pills bring hormonal imbalance in women and thereby affect the great glands.
Medications
A study revealed that patients taking multiple medications had experienced severe forms of dry eye disease.
They referred to it as “poly-pharmacy”.
Poly-pharmacy is the term assigned when you take more than one medication at a time and find that prescription medications are not the only culprits.
Even supplements and natural remedies pose risks to patients taking them for a prolonged time.
The study also revealed that the medications that cause dry mouth were also likely to cause dry eyes.
History of refractive surgery
Refractive or artificial lens surgery can be implanted into the eye with or without a natural lens.
Even in the postoperative period, 60% of patients with LASIK report dry eyes.
The symptoms show maximum improvement within 12 months after surgery.
Allergies
Oral antihistamines could result in dry eyes due to allergies.
These types of medications generally reduce natural tears.
Additionally, allergic conjunctivitis can cause the body to produce unnecessary tears.
Conjunctivitis is the medical term assigned to the swelling and irritation of the eye tissue.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Meibomian glands are tiny oil glands present on the edges of the eyelids.
They secrete oil that coats the eye surface and prevents natural tears from evaporating.
Together oil and water from these glands work to create the layer called a tear film.
If the glands become blocked or inflamed, it disrupts the tear film.
This causes blurry vision and dry eyes.
How to prevent and protect yourself from dry eyes
If you are experiencing dry eyes, you should know the preventive measures or improve the condition.
Patients can take several steps to help keep their eyes lubricated and avoid potential symptoms like the sensation of stinging or burning and blurry vision.
Here are a few of the top suggestions,
Avoid coming in direct contact with air blowing in your eyes
Everyday items like fans and air conditioners can make eyes vulnerable and increase dryness.
Instead, you can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Use artificial tears
Artificial tears are available over the counter at reasonable pricing.
Using them as directed can help keep your eyes lubricated and moist throughout the day.
However, consult your doctor if you use contact lenses, as they might degrade contact lens material.
Warm compresses
These are the easiest-to-access interventions at home.
You can use a clean washcloth with warm water to help your eyes produce more essential oils.
This can also improve the quality of your tears.
Quality tears will keep the eye lubricated and prevent irritation.
Increase your intake of Omega-3 fats
Fatty acids can improve the consistency and quality of oil produced by the Meibomian glands.
Fish oil and flaxseed oil are among the foods with high Omega-3s content.
Overdose of supplements or medications might be harmful. So make sure to consult your healthcare provider and know about the best available options.
When to see a doctor
If you are trying interventions and strategies at home for a long and are not seeing improvement, consult your doctor immediately.
They will guide you to the root causes of dry eyes.
If you are required to use artificial tears more than four times a day, a doctor can recommend a series of evaluations.
Knowing the causes of dry eyes will help your doctor determine the best treatment option.
Try Eyemist E/D 10 ml from WowRx. It will help you with eye lubrication.
Conclusion
Dry eye disease is a prevalent condition affecting millions of Americans, characterized by insufficient eye lubrication due to various factors.
Understanding the causes, such as aging, medical conditions, hormonal changes, medications, refractive surgery, allergies, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, is crucial.
Individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and alleviate dry eyes, like using artificial tears, warm compresses, and increasing Omega-3 intake.
However, if these measures prove ineffective, consulting a doctor is essential for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Individuals can enjoy improved eye comfort and clarity by addressing the root causes of dry eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.
