Are they tired, itchy, or does it feel like there’s something in them?

You may have dry eyes.

Dry eye symptoms can include stinging or burning, lots of tears followed by periods of dryness, and sometimes a mucus discharge. Dry eye can be painful, and your eyes may be red.

When you blink, a thin film of tears crosses your eye helping to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy.

Often those who use computers for long periods often forget to blink, or blink less often, leading to irritated eyes.

Your optometrist should be the first person you see when you have red, or irritated eyes.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Anyone can get dry eye, but its more common in women, especially those who have gone through menopause. As people age, they produce less of the lipid part of tears, which puts them at greater risk for dry eye.

If you have dry eye syndrome, you don’t have enough of the right kind of tears to keep your eyes healthy AND comfortable. Dry eyes that have not been treated and have been causing irritation for long periods can result in damage to the surface of your eye.

What is the main cause of Dry Eyes?

Screen time – do you stare at a screen frequently?

Lifestyle – wearing contact lenses, prolonged exposure to smartphones or computers, reading or driving for a long time and lack of sleep can contribute to dry eyes.

Aging – Tear production declines as you age.

Health – certain conditions can affect your ability to produce tears:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Scleroderma
  • Lupus
  • Thyroid disease
  • Vitamin A deficiency
Prevention

Simple steps you can take:

  • Take regular breaks from reading and screen time.
  • Blink regularly when reading or using your phone and computer.
  • If you wear contact lenses, make sure they are always clean to avoid bacterial buildup.
  • Avoid blowing air directly at your eyes.
  • Reduce cigarette smoking.
  • Remove cosmetic products thoroughly.
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from the hot or cold wind, dust and other particles.
Treatment

If not treated, dry eyes can cause complications like eye infections or permanent damage to the surface of the eye.

To treat your dry eye syndrome, your optometrist will use an Intense Pulsed Light treatment that stimulates the eye’s glands. You wear goggles while flashes are applied under the eye for a few minutes.

Results are usually felt almost immediately. It’s best to have all three treatments so that the results remain for months.

Even though most causes of dry eye aren’t severe, seek emergency medical attention if:

  • your eye is red after trauma or injury
  • you have a headache and have blurry vision
  • you begin seeing white rings, or halos, around lights
  • you experience nausea and vomiting