Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort and vision problems. Find out the causes, symptoms, and various treatment options available to manage and alleviate dry eye.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome, occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including irritation, burning, stinging, and blurred vision.1 There are many potential causes of dry eye, including:
- Age: As people age, they tend to produce fewer tears.
- Gender: Women are more likely to experience dry eye than men.
- Menopause: Hormonal changes associated with menopause can lead to dry eye.
- Certain medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and thyroid disease, can cause dry eye.
- Medications: Some medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can cause dry eye as a side effect.
- Environmental factors: Dry air, wind, and smoke can all contribute to dry eye.
Dry Eye Relief: What to Expect
There are a number of things that can be done to relieve dry eye, including:
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears are lubricating eye drops that can help to relieve the symptoms of dry eye.
- Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs are small devices that can be inserted into the tear ducts to help prevent tears from draining away too quickly.
- LipiFlow: LipiFlow is a treatment that uses heat and massage to help unblock the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of tears.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy: IPL therapy is a treatment that uses light energy to help reduce inflammation and improve the function of the meibomian glands.
Dry Eye Treatment: Options & Benefits
In some cases, dry eye may require more intensive treatment, such as:
- Prescription eye drops: Prescription eye drops may be necessary to reduce inflammation or to improve the quality of tears.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a structural problem that is causing dry eye.2
Learn More About Dry Eye
If you are experiencing symptoms of dry eye, it is important to see an eye doctor to get a diagnosis and to discuss treatment options. There are a number of resources available to help you learn more about dry eye, including:
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology website
- The National Eye Institute website
- The Dry Eye Association website