What is dry eye?
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears to stay wet, or when our tears don’t work correctly. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable, and in some cases it can also cause vision problems.
What are the symptoms of dry eye?
Dry eye can cause:
- A scratchy feeling, like there’s something in your eye
- Stinging or burning feelings in your eye
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
Am I at risk for dry eye?
Anyone can get dry eye, but you might be more likely to have dry eye if you:
- Are age 50 or older
- Are female, due to hormonal changes
- Wear contact lenses
- Don’t get enough vitamin A (found in foods like carrots, broccoli, and liver) or omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, walnuts, and vegetable oils)
- Have certain autoimmune conditions, like lupus or Sjögren syndrome
What causes dry eye?
Normally, glands above your eyes make tears that keep your eyes wet. Dry eye happens when your tears don’t do their job. This could mean:
- Your glands don’t make enough tears to keep your eyes wet
- Your tears dry up too fast
- Your tears just don’t work well enough to keep your eyes wet
How will my eye doctor check for dry eye?
Your doctor can check for dry eye as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam. If you have dry eye, your doctor might check:
- The amount of tears your eyes make(schirmer)
- How long it takes for your tears to dry up
- The structure of your eyelid.
Did you know?
- Dry eye can happen if you spend a lot of time looking at your computer, tablet, or smart phone.
- If severe dry eye isn’t treated, it can sometimes damage your cornea, the clear outer layer at the front of your eye
What’s the treatment for dry eye?
Treatment for dry eye usually depends on what’s causing your symptoms. There are a few different types of treatment that can ease your symptoms and help keep your eyes healthy.
- Prescription medicines: tear substitutes
- Lifestyle changes
- Try to avoid smoke, wind, and air conditioning
- Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home from getting too dry
- Limit screen time and take breaks from staring at screens
- Wear wraparound sunglasses when you’re outside
- Drink plenty of water — try for 8 to 10 glasses every day
- Tear duct plugs(temporary /permanent).
- In some cases, dry eye can happen because your lower eyelids are too loose, causing tears to drain too quickly out of your eye. If this is the cause of your dry eye, your eye doctor may suggest surgery to fix your eyelids
