What is Dry Eyes | Dry Eyes: Causes, Prevention, Symptoms & Treatment

Introduction | What is Dry Eyes

Tear production and quality are both impacted by the frequent ailment known as dry eyes. Your eyes need tears to stay comfortable and healthy. They defend against infections, lubricate the surface of your eyes, wipe away foreign objects, and aid in visual clarity.

Dry Eyes: The Causes

When tears are not produced in sufficient amounts or evaporate too quickly, dry eyes might result. The tear film, which has three layers—an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer could be upset as a result. Each layer serves a particular purpose and adds to the stability of the tear film.

The following are a few of the causes of dry eyes:

• Ageing: Tear production tends to decline with age, and tear quality may also change. People over 50 are more likely to experience dry eyes, particularly women who have through menopause.
• Medical problems: Some illnesses and conditions might damage your immune system or tear glands, which can result in dry eyes. These include vitamin A insufficiency, thyroid disease, lupus, thyroid disease, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Medications: Some medications might decrease tear production or change the makeup of your tears. Decongestants, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy are a few of them.
• Environmental factors: Dry, windy, smokey, or dusty conditions might cause your tears to evaporate more quickly and hurt your eyes. Dry eyes can also be caused by low humidity, air conditioning, heating, and fans.
• Eye-related factors: Dry eyes might be brought on by conditions or procedures that impact your tear film or eyelids. These include blepharitis, an infection of the eyelids, conjunctivitis, LASIK surgery, contact lens wear, and eye strain from extended screen use.

Dry Eyes Symptoms

Numerous symptoms that may affect one or both eyes are brought on by dry eyes. These consist of:

• A stinging, burning, or itchy feeling in your eyes.
• A sensation that something is in your eyes.
• Your eyes becoming red or itchy
• Light sensitivity
• Clouded vision or trouble focusing
• Watery eyes (a reflex reaction to dryness)
• Tired or worn-out eyes
• Compatibility issues with contact lenses
• Crustiness or mucus around your eyes

Dry Eye Treatment

The underlying reason and severity of your condition will determine how to treat your dry eyes. The main objectives are to alleviate your symptoms, repair your tear film, and stop further eye injury.

The following are a few dry eye treatments:

• Artificial tears: Eye drops that resemble natural tears and moisten your eyes. They are accessible without a prescription or over-the-counter. Depending on your demands, you might need to use them many times per day. If you have sensitive eyes, you might wish to choose fake tears without preservatives since some of them may bother some people.
• Ointments or gels: These are heavier than eye drops and offer dry eye comfort that lasts longer. They are typically used at night before sleeping since they momentarily impair vision. Additionally, they may aid in preventing your eyelids from converging while you sleep.
• Eye inserts: These are little gadgets that slowly inject artificial tears into your eyes thanks to a gel-like substance they contain. Each day, you place one under your lower eyelid, and it gradually dissolves.
• Omega-3 supplements are liquids or pills that contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for the body's and eyes' health. The quality of your tears may also be improved by omega-3 fatty acids. Before seeing any results, you might need to take them for a few months.
• Warm compresses and eyelid massage: These straightforward home remedies can help your meibomian glands, which are responsible for producing the oily coating of the tear film, unclog. After covering your closed eyes with a warm towel or heating pad for ten minutes, softly massage the eyelids with your fingertips. This might enhance the durability of your tear film and encourage the flow of oil.
• Eyelid hygiene is cleaning your eyelids with a mild soap or a specific cleanser on a regular basis to get rid of any filth. 
• Punctal plugs: To prevent tears from draining, these tiny objects are put into the puncta, the entrance of your tear ducts. This can assist in retaining more tears and preventing dryness. Punctal plugs are removable if necessary and can be either temporary or permanent.
• Meibomian gland expression: Using pressure on your eyelids, this method extracts the clogged oil from your meibomian glands. This might enhance the consistency and flow of the oil in your tears and stop it from evaporating. Your eye doctor can express the meibomian glands for you, or you can use a device at home.
• With intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, the blood vessels and inflammation around your eyes are the focus of the procedure. This can encourage the production of healthy tears and help lessen the causes of dry eyes. IPL therapy is typically administered over a few months in a number of sessions.
• A gadget called LipiFlow uses heat and massage to treat dry eyes brought on by a malfunctioning meibomian gland. Your eyelids are gently warmed and massaged, allowing the hardened oil in your glands to dissolve and be removed. A single LipiFlow procedure takes roughly 12 minutes per eye.

Eyedrops generated from your own blood are called autologous serum eyedrops. Red blood cells and other components are taken from your blood and processed out, leaving only the serum (the liquid portion of the blood). Natural growth agents and nutrients found in the serum can aid in eye healing and tear film restoration. Custom-made for each patient, autologous serum eye drops need careful handling and storage.

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Natural Eye Care Solutions

You might find these natural remedies for dry eyes that you can attempt at home or under the advice of a healthcare expert helpful in addition to the traditional therapies for dry eyes. These consist of:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: These are necessary fats with anti-inflammatory qualities that may help you produce more and better-quality tears. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans as well as in dietary supplements like flaxseed or fish oils.
• Castor oil is a natural lubricant that may help lessen irritation and tear evaporation. Castor oil eye drops include this substance. You may buy castor oil eye drops over-the-counter or online, but to prevent irritation, make sure they are hexane- and preservative-free. All through the day, you can utilise them as necessary.
• Aloe vera gel: This is a calming and restorative gel made from the leaves of the aloe vera plant. To hydrate and safeguard your skin, put a thin coating of aloe vera gel around your eyes (but not within them). Aloe vera juice can also be used as an eye wash to rinse and clean your eyes. Aloe vera juice and gel are sold at health food stores and online, but to avoid additions, make sure they are pure and organic.
• Chamomile tea: This herbal tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. You can make two cotton pads soaked in chamomile tea, let them soak for ten minutes, and then apply them over your closed eyelids. Your eyes may feel less irritated and more relaxed as a result. To take advantage of chamomile's relaxing effects, you can also consume chamomile tea.
• Fresh cucumber slices with a cooling and moisturising impact on your eyes are known as "cucumber slices." Two cucumber slices can be chilled for 15 minutes before being placed over your closed eyes for 10 minutes. Your eyes' puffiness and irritation may be reduced by doing this.
• Honey eye drops: These are eye drops made with honey, a substance that naturally fights infection and inflammation. One teaspoon of raw honey and two teaspoons of distilled water can be combined to make honey eye drops. They can be applied twice daily to help your eyes feel better. Although honey eye drops may first hurt, this should rapidly go away.

Different Treatments for Dry Eyes

By experimenting with alternative treatments that entail stimulating particular body spots or regions, some people may also experience relief from dry eyes. These consist of:

• Acupuncture: In order to balance the flow of energy (qi) and promote healing, thin needles are inserted into particular sites on the body during this ancient Chinese medicine procedure. Acupuncture can stimulate the production of tears and reduce inflammation, which can help treat dry eyes. A licenced professional with experience treating eye issues should do acupuncture.
• Acupressure: An acupuncture-like method that does not involve the insertion of needles. Instead, pressure is given with the fingers or a tool to specific body spots. By activating the same spots as acupuncture and increasing blood flow and nerve activity in the eyes, acupressure may help treat dry eyes. A professional or a layperson can perform acupressure.
• Eye yoga: To strengthen your eye muscles and enhance your eyesight, this form of exercise entails moving your eyes in various directions and concentrating on various objects. By improving the oxygen and blood flow to your eyes and activating the tear ducts, eye yoga may help treat dry eyes. Eye yoga can be practised at any time of day, but it is best done in a welcoming, well-lit space.

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Ways to Prevent Dry Eyes

Making some lifestyle adjustments that can prevent or lessen the causes that cause or worsen dry eyes may also be beneficial for you, in addition to the treatments and remedies for dry eyes. These consist of:

• Drinking enough water: Hydration is crucial for your eyes as well as your general health and wellbeing. Dehydration has the potential to alter the quantity and quality of your tears, so staying hydrated is important. Aim for eight glasses or more of water each day, or even more if you work out or perspire a lot.
• Eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can give your body the nutrition it needs to function properly and support the health of your eyes. The vitamins A, C, E, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and lutein are among the nutrients that are particularly good for your eyes.
• Avoiding smoking and drinking: Smoking and drinking can harm your health in general and your eyes in particular. Smoking can harm your blood vessels and raise your chances of developing eye conditions including macular degeneration and cataracts. Alcohol can dehydrate you and affect the quantity and quality of your tears. Drinking less alcohol and giving up smoking will assist your dry eyes and keep your vision healthy.
• Managing stress: Stress can have a negative impact on both your physical and emotional health, including exacerbating or creating dry eyes. Stress can cause inflammation, slow down your blink rate, impair the quality of your sleep, and alter your mood. Taking steps to reduce your stress will benefit your dry eyes and general health. Meditation, yoga, breathing techniques, hobbies, social support, and counselling are a few techniques for managing stress.
• Wearing protective eyewear can help protect your eyes from environmental elements that may cause or aggravate dry eyes. These include air conditioning, sun, wind, smoking, pollen, and smoke. To defend your eyes from these factors, you can wear eye shields, glasses, goggles, or sunglasses. To keep your eyes comfortable and moist before and after exposure to these conditions, you can also use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops.
• Taking breaks from screen use: Spending a lot of time in front of a screen can strain your eyes and cause you to blink less frequently, which can cause dry eyes. By taking frequent breaks from your screen use and adhering to the 20-20-20 rule, which states that you should look away from your device for 20 seconds every 20 minutes, you can prevent or lessen this. Your tear film will be replenished and your eye muscles will be able to rest. To make your screen easier on the eyes, you can also change the font size, contrast, and brightness.
• Cleaning your eyelids: Cleaning your eyelids on a daily basis will help get rid of any bacteria, oil, or makeup that could block your tear ducts or inflame them. You can gently wash your eyelashes with warm water and a gentle soap or a specific eyelid cleanser. To wipe your eyelids, you can alternatively use a warm compress or a cotton pad dipped in warm water. This might encourage the production of tears and aid to remove any debris.
• Change your contact lenses: Your chance of developing dry eyes can rise if you use contacts, especially if you do not properly care for them or wear them for an extended period of time. The tear film and oxygen flow to your eyes can both be affected by contact lenses. By replacing your contacts frequently, adhering to your eye doctor's recommendations, and choosing contact lens solutions that are appropriate with your eyes, you can prevent or lessen this. To keep your eyes comfortable and moisturised when using contact lenses, you can also use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears.

Summary

A frequent problem that many individuals experience worldwide is dry eyes. It happens when your tears don't last long enough or when they dissipate too quickly. Numerous symptoms, including burning, itching, redness, impaired vision, and watery eyes, may result from this.

Numerous variables, including ageing, illnesses, drugs, environmental factors, eye-related issues, and lifestyle factors, might contribute to dry eyes. The underlying reason and severity of your condition will determine how to treat your dry eyes. The main objectives are to alleviate your symptoms, repair your tear film, and stop further eye injury.

Dry eye syndrome can be treated with a wide variety of conventional, natural, and alternative methods. To figure out which choice suits you the most, you might have to test out a few different ones. Making some lifestyle adjustments that can avoid or lessen the variables that aggravate or cause dry eyes may also be beneficial for you.

Dry eyes is a chronic problem that might not fully resolve but that can be effectively controlled with the right care and attention. You can alleviate dry eyes symptoms and lead a better quality of life by paying attention to your eye doctor's recommendations and taking proper care of your eyes.