Dry eye disease, an illness that affects many people, arises when your tears cannot lubricate your eyes sufficiently. There are several different causes of insufficient and unstable tears. For instance, if your tear production is inadequate or of poor quality, dry eyes may develop. The eye becomes inflamed and sustains surface damage as a result of the tears’ instability.
Dry eyes are not comfortable. If you have dry eyes, your eyes may sting or burn. In some circumstances, such as on an airplane, in an air-conditioned room, while riding a bike, or after staring at a computer screen for several hours, you could experience dry eyes.
Symptoms, usually involving both eyes:
- A burning, itching, or irritation in your eyes.
- Stringy mucous in or around the eyes
- Light sensitivity
- A flaming eye
- A sense of having something in your eyes.
- Wearing contact lenses is difficult.
- Nighttime driving can be difficult.
- Watery eyes are the body’s response to dry eyes’ irritation.
- hazy vision or eye strain
When should I see a doctor?
Consult a doctor if you have experienced prolonged signs and symptoms of dry eyes, such as red, itchy, tired, or painful eyes. Our best eye doctor (of Bharti Eye Foundation) may perform certain procedures to determine what is bothering your eyes.
Causes
There are several things that might disrupt the regular tear film, which leads to dry eyes. Your tear film is made up of three layers: fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. This mixture frequently maintains your eyes’ lubricated, clear, and smooth surface. Any of these layers may be the cause of dry eyes.
Hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory glands in the eyelids, and allergic eye problems are a few of the factors that contribute to tear film failure. Decreased tear production or increased tear evaporation are the causes of dry eye.
How Do Tears Function?
Tears form a layer that covers the eye when you blink. This maintains the eye’s clear and smooth surface. For clear eyesight, the tear layer is crucial.
Three layers make up the tear film:
- An oily layer
- A watery layer
- A mucus layer
Prevention
- If you suffer from dry eyes, be mindful of the situations that are most likely to worsen them. Determine how to avoid certain situations to stop the dry eye symptoms after that. For instance:
- Try to keep air out of your eyes. Keep fans, air conditioners, car heaters, and hair dryers from beaming directly into your eyes.
- Make the air more humid. Throughout the winter, a humidifier can add moisture to the dry indoor air
- Take into account donning wraparound sunglasses or other safety eyewear. Safety shields can be installed on the tops and sides of eyewear to provide protection from wind and dry air. Ask the store that sells glasses about shields.
- Take breaks for your eyes throughout continuous tasks. If you’re reading or engaging in any activity that demands visual focus, take regular breaks from your eyes.
- Close your eyes for a few minutes. Alternately, blink often for a few seconds to let the tears spread out evenly in your eyes.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Extremely dry air can be found in aircraft cabins, arid areas, and high altitudes. When in such an environment, it may be beneficial to often close your eyes for a few minutes at a time to avoid tear evaporation.
- Position the computer screen so that it is below your eyes. You will open your eyes wider to observe the computer screen if it is higher than eye level. Place your computer screen below eye level to prevent squinting. In between eye blinks, this may stop your tears from evaporating too quickly.
- Avoid smoking and give it up. If you smoke, speak with your doctor for advice on how to come up with a quitting strategy that will work best for you. Avoid being around smokers if you don’t smoke. Smoke may exacerbate the effects of dry eyes.
- Use fake tears frequently. If you have chronic dry eyes, use eyedrops to keep them well-lubricated even when your eyes feel normal.
How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
First, your ophthalmologist will do an eye examination. Your eyelids and the surface of your eye will be examined. Additionally, they’ll watch how you blink.
The diagnosis of dry eyes can be made using a variety of tests. Your ophthalmologist could perform a test to evaluate the consistency or volume of your tears. They might also gauge how rapidly you produce tears.
Treatment
Most people who have infrequent or slight dry eye symptoms can get by with regular use of over-the-counter eyedrops (artificial tears). If your symptoms continue or worsen, you have alternative choices.
Some treatments focus on curing or managing a problem or factor that is the cause of your dry eyes. Other treatments can improve your tears’ quality or reduce how quickly they evaporate from your eyes.
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