Dry Eyes
Causes, treatment and prevention of dry eyes
Have you ever had the feeling that your eyes are filled with sand? If your eyes are red, itchy, sore, or gritty-feeling, then you may be experiencing a very common eye problem known as dry eyes. What causes your eyes to become dry and what can you do about it?
Our eyes are usually lubricated through the production of moisture by the tear ducts. This moisture is mostly water, but it also includes oils, mucus, and proteins which keep your eyes feeling moist and smooth.
Your eyes become dry for two reasons:
- Something interrupts the normal production of moisture by the tear ducts
- Unusual conditions cause the amount of produced moisture to be insufficient.
Causes of dry eyes
Examples of circumstances that can interrupt the
moisture production in your eyes include aging and/or
menopause, blockage, tearing, or other problems with the
tear ducts, your body’s reaction to certain medications,
and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's
syndrome.
Outside conditions that can cause your eyes to feel dry
include working in a windy or dusty environment, dry air
caused by air conditioning or heating, and smoking
cigarettes. Finally, getting caught up in a movie or
book, or while working on a computer screen, may cause
you to blink too infrequently. If you don’t blink often
enough, the moisture will not spread evenly over your
eye, and it may evaporate too quickly.
Treatments
For some people, the occasional use of artificial lubricants such as tear drops is enough to restore the feeling of moist, healthy eyes. If dryness in the eyes recurs or is not eased by artificial teardrops, consult your doctor. You may need a simple procedure, such as blocking your tear ducts with a plug to resolve your problem. If this doesn’t work, there are forms of outpatient surgery that can prevent the moisture in your eyes from draining away too quickly.
