Dry Eyes: Symptoms and Causes

Do your eyes often feel gritty, itchy, or like sand is trapped in them? You're not alone. Dry eyes are a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Studies suggest that nearly 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye symptoms, and the numbers are only rising due to increased screen time and environmental factors.

If you're struggling with dry eyes, you've come to the right place. In this blog, we'll dive deep into what dry eye is, its symptoms, its causes, and how you can manage it effectively. Plus, we'll share some tips on prevention and answer your most pressing questions. 

Let's get started!

What is Dry Eye?

Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition where the eyes fail to produce enough tears or or the tears produced evaporate too quickly.  Tears are essential in lubricating the eye, washing away debris, and protecting against infections. When the tear film is compromised, it can lead to discomfort, inflammation, and damage to the cornea.

Types of Dry Eye Disease

Did you know there are different types of dry eye disease? Understanding the type you have can help you manage it better.

1. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears. It's often linked to aging, medical conditions, or medications.

2. Evaporative Dry Eye: This is caused by poor tear quality, often due to issues with the meibomian glands (tiny glands in your eyelids that produce the oily layer of your tears).  It is important to note that 95% of dry eye cases are evaporative in nature. 

Knowing which type you have is essential for effective treatment.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

How do you know if you're dealing with dry eyes? Here are the most common dry-eye 

Symptoms:

• A stinging or burning sensation

• Redness and irritation

• Blurred vision, especially after prolonged screen use

• Sensitivity to light

• A gritty feeling, like something's in your eye

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Watery eyes (yes, your eyes may overproduce tears to compensate!)

• Intermittent blurred vision 

If you're experiencing any of these signs of dry eyes, it's time to take action.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Understanding what causes dry eyes is the first step toward finding relief. Here are some common culprits:

1. Screen Time: Staring at screens for hours reduces your blink rate, leading to tear evaporation from a lack of oil being deposited into your tear film. 

2. Environmental Factors: Wind, smoke, and dry climates can worsen dry eye symptoms.

3. Aging: Tear production decreases as we age, making dry eyes more common in people over 50.

4. Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders can contribute to dry eyes.

5. Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants can reduce tear production.

6. Contact Lenses: Prolonged use can irritate the eyes and exacerbate dryness.

7. Lack of Sleep: Poor sleep can negatively impact tear production, leading to drier, more irritated eyes.

8. Post-Surgery Effects: Cataract surgery can sometimes result in temporary nerve disruption, affecting tear production. Dry eye after cataract surgery is common, and managing it with proper lubrication and medical guidance can help ease discomfort.

9. Poor Diet:  Healthy fats are essential to producing the right kind of tear film.  Diets low in fat can reduce the quality and quantity of necessary oil produced by the Meibomian Glands that prevents the evaporation of your tear film.  Highly inflammatory diets, like those high in processed foods or plant based, also take a toll on the required meibomian secretions that help avoid dry eye.

Risk Factors for Dry Eye Disease

Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing dry eye disease:

• Being over 50

• Being female (hormonal changes play a role)

• Having a diet low in omega-3 fatty acids

• Wearing contact lenses

• Spending long hours on digital devices

• Spending long hours driving

Diagnosis and Tests

If you suspect you have dry eyes, getting a proper diagnosis is essential. Tests may include:

• Blinking Evaluation:  Believe it or not, your blink rate affects your tear coverage.  

• Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT): Evaluate how quickly your tears evaporate.

• Meibomian Gland Evaluation: Checks for blockages in the oil-producing glands.  This test also assesses long term damage to and atrophy of the meibomian glands. 

Early diagnosis can prevent complications and help you find the right treatment. At Vision Source Rio, Dr. Planitz utilizes advanced diagnostic tools to assess your tear production, quality, and overall eye health.

Management and Treatment

The good news? Dry eyes can be managed and treated effectively. Here are some proven strategies:

1. In-Office Treatments: Procedures like LipiFlow and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy can address underlying causes like meibomian gland dysfunction and rosacea.  A dry eye evaluation can inform you as to your best treatment options.

2. Supplements: PRN, a dry eye study proven blend of the exact amounts of EPA and DHA omega 3 fatty acids clinically proven to boost meibomian gland production the quickest.

3. Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter preservative free lubricating eye drops like Optase Intense Dry Eye and Retaine MGD can provide temporary relief.

4. Prescription Medications: Anti-inflammatory eye drops or medications like cyclosporines can help manage symptoms, although they do not treat the root  cause. If the root cause is not treated, dry eye symptoms eventually get worse as meibomian glands continue to atrophy over time.  

5. Lifestyle Changes: Take regular breaks from screens, use a humidifier, sleep with a sleep mask at night, and wear sunglasses outdoors.

Complications of Untreated Dry Eyes

Ignoring dry eyes can lead to more serious issues, such as:

• Eye infections (tears protect your eyes from bacteria)

• Corneal damage or ulcers

• Vision impairment

Don't wait until it's too late—seek professional care if your symptoms persist.

Prevention

Preventing dry eyes is easier than you think. Here's how:

• Follow the “20-20-20 rule.” Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds and blink your eyes frequently.  

• Stay hydrated and follow a diet rich in omega-3s (think salmon and fatty red meats).  Avoid processed foods and sugar.

• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

• Minimize direct exposure to fans or air conditioning.

FAQs

1. How do you fix dry eyes?

You can temporarily relieve dry eye with artificial tears or over-the-counter moisturizing drops, gels, and ointments that help reduce itching and discomfort.  Preservative free is best.  Prescription medications and professional procedures like OptiLight IPL, LipiFlow, and specialty contact lenses can provide long-term relief for more advanced treatment.

2. How to clean your eyes naturally?

Rinse your eye area with clean, lukewarm water or use a warm compress to soothe irritation.

3. How to cure dry eyes permanently?

While there's no permanent cure, consistent management and treatment can keep symptoms at bay.

Ready to Find Relief?

Dry eyes don't have to control your life. At Vision Source Rio, we're committed to helping you achieve clear, comfortable vision. We've got you covered, from comprehensive eye exams to advanced dry eye evaluations and treatments.

Don't let dry eye symptoms affect your daily life—schedule your appointment today for lasting relief!

Your eyes deserve the best care—let us help you see the difference!