You might have heard of this term, dry eyes” Have you ever explored it briefly? If not, then welcome to this blog, where you’ll get to know a few things about dry eyes. Let’s begin with one common question regarding dry eyes: “Are these permanent?” Don’t worry; usually, dry eyes are not permanent and often occur due to specific environmental and lifestyle factors. Having red eyes with the sensation of feeling a foreign object inside the eyes is what is associated with dry eye symptoms. Most importantly, your vision gets blurry, making it hard for you to keep up with your daily tasks. Coming back to the major concern regarding dry eyes, there are some cases that do need surgery or prescription drops for dry eyes; however, most of the time it can be managed through over-the-counter medicines only. Through this blog, you’ll get to know a little about dry eyes, its causes and what it can look like, so continue reading.
Is stress one of the causes of dry eyes?
You might be surprised to know that even stress can be one of the reasons for causing dry eyes. The answer lies in the altered tear composition. The increased levels of cortisol in the body disrupt the functioning of tear-producing glands, which eventually results in dry eyes. Other than stress, smoke, excessive screen time, and wind are also majorly responsible for the same.
Have you ever become familiar with evaporative dry eye (EDE)?
This is the most common type of dry eyes; usually, 80% of individuals struggle with this in today’s times. This type is basically associated with the weakness of the outer layer of your tears, thus resulting in quick drying up of the tears. Grittiness and the tired look of your eyes are common symptoms that worsen at the end of the day.
Bonus point! In today’s times, increased screen time is the usual concern, which eventually reduces your blinking frequency. Blinking your eyes is crucial to maintain moisture. However, when it gets reduced, eventually the risk of EDE surges.
Other signs associated with evaporative dry eye:-
- You become unable to continue your day comfortably after wearing contact lenses. Your vision fluctuates as you blink because of dryness over the eye surface.
- The tired look of your eyes, along with redness around the corners of your eyelids, are all associated with its signs.
Another type of dry eyes – Aqueous-Deficient dry eye!
This one includes an inability of the tear-producing glands to produce the watery part of the tears, ending up drying your eyes quickly. Compared to evaporative dry eye, this type is only associated with 10% of cases, making it quite a rare cause of dry eyes. Older adults are more likely to struggle with this, along with those dealing with any viral infections.
What are the signs associated with aqueous-deficient dry eye?
- Usually, your eyes start hurting, and you might feel a stinging sensation, which are symptoms associated with this type of dry eye.
- Itching around the eyes and being almost unable to produce tears when you are crying can cause a lack of moisture.
The Bottom Line!
Summing up all the above-mentioned points, you might have understood the different types of dry eyes, including different symptoms related to eye grittiness and blurriness. Usually, dry eyes can be managed with warm compresses and other lifestyle changes, including reduced screen time. However, if such methods don’t work, then seeking medical help could bring a significant difference through the precise eye drops. Taking crucial care of your dry eyes is of utmost importance; this is why we are here! The experts at Mitra Eye Hospital and LASIK Laser Centre provide comprehensive guidance for appropriate eye care techniques. Scheduling your appointment with our expert, Dr. H Mitra, can guide you regarding numerous ways for eye care, so what are you waiting for? Visit us right now!
FAQs
- How can I protect my eyes from dry winds to prevent dry eyes?
Using wide-brim hats along with sunglasses whenever you step out of your house is crucial. Also, avoiding direct exposure to the air can help prevent your eyes from drying out.
- Should I completely avoid wearing contact lenses during dry eyes?
Don’t completely avoid them; just make sure to reduce their use during flare-ups, and when your eyes regain their moisture, you can continue using them.