7 Possible Causes of Dry Eye and How to Treat It

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Dry eye disease is an uncomfortable condition that can cause irritation and pain. It is important to recognize the signs of dry eye and to get treatment as soon as possible. Understanding what causes dry eye can help you manage the condition more effectively. 

Here are seven possible reasons you have dry eye:

1. Environmental Causes

Dry eyes can occur when the air is too dry, causing tears to evaporate faster than they can be produced. To prevent dryness, using a humidifier can help restore moisture to the air. It is important to take extra precautions in cold weather climates to protect the eyes. Additionally, exposure to smoke, wind, and dry climates can cause dry eyes, and eye drops are an effective way to treat them.

2. Aging

As we age, our bodies become less able to create enough tears to keep our eyes moist. This can cause an uncomfortable condition known as dry eye. To help counteract this, people aged 50 and up should consider using over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears to supplement natural tear production. This can help reduce the irritation that comes with dry eyes.

3. Contact Lens Usage

Scleral contact lenses are specially designed to provide more oxygen to the eye than traditional contact lenses. Contact lens wearers can reduce the risk of dry eye disease by wearing these lenses. It is important to monitor the effects of contact lenses on your eyes to ensure that your eyes are getting enough oxygen and staying healthy. 

4. Computer Vision Syndrome

In today's tech-heavy world, it's common for people to spend long periods looking at their phones and computers. This can cause your eyes to dry, so a good tip to help is the 20-20-20 rule. This rule suggests that every 20 minutes, you should take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This can help to give your eyes some much-needed rest and prevent dryness.

5. Health Problems

Autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma can cause dry eye. These illnesses affect the whole body, and dry eye could be one of the symptoms you experience. Seeing an optometrist for a full eye exam is the best way to determine if you have dry eye disease.

6. Certain Medications

Some medicines can harm your eyes, causing them to become dry. These medications include allergy medications, cold medicines, antidepressants, and diuretics. It is important to monitor any medicines you take to determine if they are causing dry eyes, and if so, seek treatment to help relieve the condition. 

7. Allergies

Allergies can be uncomfortable and potentially hazardous, especially affecting the eyes. Allergic reactions may present as itchy, watery, and red eyes. If the symptoms of dry eye disease are present in addition to allergies, prescribed eye drops can provide some respite. 

Conclusion 

Dry eye is a common condition that several factors can cause. It is important to identify the underlying cause to treat dry eye and address it accordingly. Treatment often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, artificial tears, medications, punctal plugs, and even surgery in some cases. It is important to see an eye care professional to diagnose and treat dry eye. They can help identify the underlying cause and provide individualized treatment plans to help reduce dry eye symptoms.

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