What is dry eye syndrome?

What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?

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Coping with Dry Eye Syndrome: Causes, Effects, and Treatments

Many vision issues seem hard to understand. Fortunately, dry eye syndrome lets you know right away when you have it. Almost 16 million Americans have the problem, mainly women and anyone over age 50. The condition causes varying degrees of severity that may require treatment by an optometrist near you.

Recognizing Signs of Dry Eye Syndrome

The syndrome has many likely causes, but it produces only a few symptoms. As you may expect, it can occur when your eyes do not have enough tears. Unfortunately, millions suffer from having too few tears. As a result, most people report the same five symptoms. Some say that it feels like grit in the eye. The urge to rub your eyes may seem hard to resist. However, if you can avoid rubbing them, you may prevent damage to delicate eye tissue.

Some people noticed these symptoms as well.

blurry vision
light sensitivity
redness
stinging or burning

Experiencing Two Types of Dry Eye Syndrome

Under the umbrella of the broad range of the syndrome, two types occur fairly commonly.

Aqueous Deficient
The condition typically occurs with Sjogren’s syndrome.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)
Typically involutional, MGD usually relates to ocular surface or dermatological disease.

Understanding the Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Anyone can have dry eye syndrome regardless of age. However, it tends to occur more often as the years’ pass. Routinely, it occurs mainly in two groups within the general population. Older Americans have it to a greater degree than younger people. Women have the syndrome more often than men for several reasons. For example, pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause reduce tears. However, a local optometrist can recommend soothing eye drops to relieve the discomfort.

Health-related Issues
You may face many situations that can make your eyes feel dry. Unfortunately, many offer no way around them even though some do. It may help to identify the causes that pose challenges.

Medicines
Tears need mucus to form, but certain medicines can keep your body from producing it. For example, beta-blockers can make your eyes feel dry. Drugs that reduce the water your body retains can have the same effect. In addition, antihistamines and antidepressants can do so as well.

Allergies
The syndrome may occur from allergies that make your eyes red, itchy, or watery. In addition, some over-the-counter medicines may make the symptoms worse.

Vitamin Deficiencies
A well-balanced diet helps support good health in the eyes as elsewhere. For example, vitamin A enhances eye strength. You can find it in broccoli, carrots, eggs, fish, peppers, and spinach. Adding more vitamin A to your diet may help prevent dry eye syndrome and other vision problems.

Blepharitis
When your inner eyelid’s oil glands become clogged, they can produce oily flakes around your lashes. Unfortunately, no cure exists. However, an Odessa, Fl optometrist can suggest some remedies that reduce the discomfort.

Laser Surgery
Some effects of laser vision correction surgery can cause you to have fewer tears. Fortunately, the dryness usually goes away after a few weeks or less.

Dehydration
Something as simple as not drinking enough water can make your eyes feel dry sometimes. Even a mild case of drinking too little water can cause it. Increasing your fluid intake may lessen the discomfort. Thus, your eyes may alert you to drink more water for general health.

Autoimmune Conditions
Some health issues such as arthritis and diabetes can cause your eyes not to produce enough tears.

Indoor and Outdoor Influences

Air quality indoors or out can affect your eyes and make them dry.

Tobacco Products
Smoking can dry your eyes, and secondhand smoke can do it too. Fortunately, a Gallup Poll shows that the number of Americans who smoke has almost reached its lowest point ever.

Low Humidity
While sleeping next to an air vent may feel nice sometimes, it can dry your eyes. In addition, low humidity in your home or office can affect them. The lack of moisture in the air matters even if a vent does not blow directly on you.

Wind
Going outdoors in high winds without wraparound sunglasses can evaporate your tears. At Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists in Odessa, you can find classy eyewear that helps protect you from strong winds in summer or winter.

Computers

Almost everyone who uses a computer knows that it can fascinate for hours. However, studies show that people blink less when looking at a monitor. Blinking more times and looking away every 20 minutes can help prevent the problem. The change in focus may help avoid the dryness that occurs with using computers.

Finding Treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome

Age and health issues can cause your eyes to dry without any known cure. In addition, some conditions can make it worse. Smoking, secondhand smoke, low humidity, and dry areas contribute to eye discomfort. While Odessa, Trinity, and Cheval enjoy Florida’s high humidity, a desert vacation can dry your eyes. In addition, the air inside the plane that takes you there can produce the same effect. AC vents, hairdryers, or fans that blow directly at your eyes can make them feel dry.

Remedies that can provide short-term relief include using a humidifier. Computer users can take a break from looking at a screen every 20 minutes or so. In addition, wraparound sunglasses can block the wind. However, most people get relief with over-the-counter or prescription eye drops. Artificial tears can enhance natural production. Researchers continue to look for ways to make eye drops effective for treating dry eye syndrome.

Finding Relief for Dry Eye Locally

If your eyes remain red, dry, or painful for a while, they may require an exam. You may need to consult with Dr. Christopher Tumolo at Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists in Odessa, Fl. Located at 16230 FL-54 next to the Suncoast Parkway, the office in the Crossings Shopping Center serves the community with pride.