Posted by: OptiVision Eye care in Health
If you’ve ever experienced dry eyes then you know just how annoying and uncomfortable this common eye condition can be. No one wants to have to deal with dried out, itchy eyes and we want to make sure that you have the facts about dry eyes to better protect yourself against them. Want to get the low down on this irritating irritation? Check out our extensive guide!
About
You know what they feel like, but you probably don’t know exactly is going on in there when they happen. As you may have figured, the dry part of dry eyes refers to an absence of moisture and lubrication on the surface of your eyes.
Your eyes need tears to feel comfortable and maintain your eyesight. When there aren’t enough tears being produced or something is keeping them from getting to your eyes through your tear ducts, you experience dry eyes. Tears are made up of a variety of different substances, all intended to give your eyes exactly what they need for regular function. This includes water, mucus, oil, and nutrients – all of which can refresh and fortify your eyeballs. While the water works to moisturize your eyes, the oil helps slow the evaporation process to get the most out of your tears. Mucus helps your tears slide across your eyes to give you maximum coverage.
Symptoms
Ever feel like there was something in your eye even when there wasn’t? This and a host of other annoying symptoms are associated with dry eye including:
– Itchiness
– Redness
– Sensitivity to light
– Blurred vision
– Pain
– Excessive tears
You might be thinking: did I read that last one right? Yup, excessive tears can actually be a symptom of dry eyes. Due to a misfiring of signals, your eye might contact the brain complaining that it’s too dry, resulting in a flood of tears rushing through your system. These tears will be composed mostly of water and not contain the oils and mucus required for actual lubrication. They can flush out foreign bodies, but won’t give you any relief from the pain and discomfort of your dry eyes.
Causes
As we’ve discussed above, dry eyes are caused by irregularities in your body’s production and distribution of tears. However, dry eyes might also be indicative of environmental factors or other underlying medical conditions such as:
– Excessive hot air (such as home heating)
– Excessive cold air (such as air conditioning)
– Dry air
– Dust and debris
– Smoking
– Aging and menopause
Treatment
There is no treatment for dry eyes that will fully cure them, but there are some things that you can do to get relief such as:
– Artificial Tears: If you’ve ever experienced dry eyes previously, you’ve probably tried out these bad boys. This is definitely one of the most common treatments for dry eyes and is totally available as an over-the-counter product. There are many different varieties and styles availability, each designed to a suit a different situation and type of eye.
– Nutritious Diet: Altering your diet to include more eye-positive foods is a fantastic way to improve your overall eye health and provide you with some relief from dry eyes. One of the best places to find the nutrients and vitamins that your eyes need is in leafy greens. Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are all tasty ways to freshen up any meal – and they’re also jam packed with great nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
If your problems persist, you should definitely consult a medical professional.
Chronic Dry Eye
When dry eye continues to be a problem beyond a minor irritation and develops into an ongoing issue, you may be experiencing Dry Eye Syndrome or Chronic Dry Eye. This condition is distinguished by the constant and persistent inflammation of the eye. If this sounds like you then you should definitely seek the help of a medical professional.
Do you have any more questions about dry eyes? Well, we would love to help you out! Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with all of the information you need.
