What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry Eye syndrome is also called dry eye disease or problem; it is a condition where your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to keep them properly lubricated. This can lead to irritation, redness, discomfort and even vision issues. Common symptoms of dry eyes are a burning or stinging sensation, feeling something in your eye, redness and irritation, watery eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, etc.
Causes of Dry Eyes
Several factors can contribute to dry eye syndrome, including:
- Screen time reduces blinking, leading to dryness.
- Ageing is another cause of dry eyes and tear production as we get older.
- Medications like antihistamines or antidepressants
How can dry Eye problems be treated?
- Artificial Tears & Lubricating Eye Drops
For mild cases, over-the-counter, artificial tears help keep the eyes moist. If regular drops can’t provide enough relief, your doctor may recommend preservative-free or prescription-strength lubricating drops.
- Apply Warm Compresses
If your dry eyes are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD), warm compresses can help unblock the oil glands in your eyelids, improving tear quality.
- Blink More and Take Screen Breaks
Long hours in front of screens reduce blinking, which can worsen dryness. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20n feet away for 20 seconds to reduce strain.
- Wear Protective Eyewear
If wind or bright light worsens your symptoms, wraparound sunglasses or moisture-sealing glasses can help protect your eyes.
- Try Prescriptions Eye Drops
If over-the-counter drops aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to improve tear production and reduce irritation.
When to see a Doctor
- If dry eyes persist despite home remedies, cause pain or affect your vision, consult an eye doctor. With the right eye treatment, you can manage symptoms and keep your eyes comfortable and healthy. Red, swollen or painful eyes could indicate an infection, inflammation or another serious issue beyond dry eye syndrome. An eye exam can rule out more serious conditions. If your vision is blurry or fluctuating, you should get checked out. Chronic dryness can impact vision quality over time. If bright lights make your eyes uncomfortable or cause excessive squinting, it could be a sign of severe dryness or corneal damage, which requires medical attention.
- A sandy or foreign body sensation in the eyes that doesn’t go away may be a symptom of MGD or corneal irritation, all of which require professional treatment. If you rely on artificial tears multiple times a day but still feel uncomfortable, prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, or advanced treatments may be necessary. It sounds strange, but watery eyes can actually be a symptom of dry eye syndrome; when your eyes aren’t properly lubricated, they may overproduce low-quality tears that don’t provide real relief.
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