Dry eyes

Article
2021-01-31

Dry eyes occur when your eyes don't tear enough to stay wet, or when your tears aren't working properly. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable and in some cases it can also cause vision problems.

Dry eyes are common - it affects millions of Americans every year. The good news is that if you suffer from dry eyes, there are many things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Dry eyes can cause:

A scratchy feeling, as if something is in your eye
Stinging or burning sensations in your eye
Red eyes
Sensitivity to light
Blurry sight

Am I at risk for dry eyes?

Anyone can get dry eyes, but dry eyes are more likely if you:

Are 50 or older
Are feminine
Wear contact lenses
Not getting 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 diseases, such as lupus or Sjogren's syndrome

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Normally, glands above your eyes make tears that keep your eyes wet. Dry eyes occur when your tears don't do their job. This can mean:

Your glands aren't making enough tears to keep your eyes wet
Your tears dry up too quickly
Your tears just don't work well enough to keep your eyes wet

Find out more about the causes of dry eyes

How does my eye doctor check for dry eyes?

Your doctor can check for dry eyes as part of a comprehensive enlarged eye exam. The exam is simple and painless - your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (dilate) your pupil, then check your eyes for dry eyes and other eye problems.

Learn what to expect from a comprehensive dilated eye exam

Tell your doctor if you think you have dry eyes. To find out if you have dry eyes, your doctor may check the following:

The amount of tears your eyes make
How long it takes for your tears to dry
The structure of your eyelids

Did you know?

Dry eyes are common - nearly 16 million Americans have dry eyes
Dry eyes can occur if you spend a lot of time looking at your computer, tablet or smartphone
If not treated, severe dry eye can sometimes damage your cornea, the clear outer layer on the front of your eye

What is the treatment for dry eyes?

Treatment for dry eyes usually depends on the cause of your symptoms. There are a few different types of treatments that can relieve your symptoms and keep your eyes healthy.

Eye drops without a prescription. The most common treatment for mild dry eyes is a type of eye drops called artificial tears. You can get these eye drops without a prescription. There are also over-the-counter moisturizing gels and ointments that can help your eyes feel better.

Prescription drugs. If your dry eyes are more severe, your eye doctor may give you a prescription for drugs called cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra). These medications are both types of eye drops that can help your eyes tear more.

Lifestyle changes. If something in your life or your environment is causing or worsening your dry eyes, your doctor may suggest changes to protect your eyes.

For example, if a medicine you are taking for another health condition causes dry eyes, your doctor may also recommend that you try a different medicine.

Your eyes may also feel better if you:

Try to avoid smoke, wind and air conditioning
Use a humidifier to prevent the air in your home from becoming too dry
Limit screen time and take breaks by staring at screens
Wear wrap-around sunglasses when you are outside
Drink plenty of water - try 8 to 10 glasses every day
Get plenty of sleep - about 7 to 8 hours a night

Tear duct plugs . If the tears run out too quickly, your doctor may recommend that you put special plugs (called punctal plugs) in your tear ducts (small holes in the inner corners of your eyes). These plugs can help keep tears in your eyes.

Surgery. In some cases, dry eyes can occur because your lower eyelids are too loose, causing tears to drain from your eye too quickly. If this is the cause of your dry eyes, your eye doctor may suggest surgery to repair your eyelids and keep your tears on your eyes. This treatment is not very common.

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