Posted by: Dr. Ramsarat in Dry Eye
Dry eye syndrome is a condition that occurs when your eyes fail to produce an adequate amount of tears. Tears are the clear, watery fluid produced by the lacrimal glands found above your eyes. The liquid helps in preventing dryness by lubricating the surface of your eyes. Tears also protect your eyes from external irritants. In response to irritation, your eyes may become watery.
Signs And Symptoms
If you are experiencing this condition, you are likely to feel a stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation in your eyes. The sensation tends to be very uncomfortable as you may feel like you have something in your eyes. Other common symptoms of dry eyes syndrome include eye redness, stringy mucus, blurry vision, eye fatigue, and sensitivity to light.
What Are The Major Causes Of Dry Eyes?
This disease can be caused by various reasons. Dry eyes usually occur due to an agitation in the layers of the tear film. The three layers of the tear film include fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. The three layers play an important role in keeping the eyes’ outer surface lubricated, smooth, and clear.
The common causes of dry eyes mainly include reduced tear production and increased tears evaporation. Other causes may include hormonal changes, autoimmune disease, inflamed eyelid glands, aqueous deficiency, and allergic eye diseases.
Reduced Tear Production
Insufficient amounts of aqueous fluid can lead to dry eyes. Aqueous fluid is a thin, watery fluid found in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye.
Factors that can lead to a decrease in tear production include:
- Medical conditions. For example, Sjogren’s syndrome, allergic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, and thyroid disorders
- Age. The ability of the lacrimal glands to secrete tears tends to reduce as you get older. People above 50 are more likely to experience dry eyes syndrome
- Prescribed medications. For instance, antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, medications involving high blood pressure, acne, and birth control
- Lack of sensitivity in corneal nerves from using contact lenses or laser eye surgery
High Tear Evaporation
It mainly involves the oil layer of the tear film. The meibomian glands produce the oil film. High tear evaporation occurs when the meibomian glands are blocked, hence becoming dysfunctional.
Some of the various causes of amplified tear evaporation are:
- Blinking less frequently. It usually happens when you carry out activities such as reading or driving
- Meibomian gland dysfunction
- Eyelid complications such as ectropion and entropion
- Eye allergies
- Insufficient amounts of vitamin A
- Smoke, wind, or dry air exposure
When To See A Doctor
If you are experiencing persistent and severe symptoms like alterations in your vision capability, you should visit an eye specialist immediately. Dry eyes can be managed well when treated early. When the condition is prolonged, it may lead to excessive damage. Hence, it may become more challenging to treat.
Your doctor is likely to prescribe medication such as tear-stimulating drugs, antibiotics, eye drops, or eye inserts.
For more on the main causes of dry eye, visit Dr. Veronica Ramsarat OD at our office in New York, New York. You can call (212) 808-4888 today to schedule an appointment.
