Are you facing irritation in your eyes and blurry vision? It may be a sign of dry eyes. National Eye Institute has reported that more than 100 million people are suffering from this painful disease worldwide.
Dry eyes are a chronic lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. It may appear when you lose an even layer of tears on the surface of your eyes that is important to keep your eye healthy. The lubricant keeps your eyes moist and washes away dust, debris, and microorganisms that can harm the cornea and lead to an eye infection.
The most common symptoms of dry eye include:
- Blurred vision
- Burning
- Fatigue
- Grittiness
- Excessive burning
- Itching
- High Sensitivity
- Watery eyes
- Redness
Common Causes of Dry Eyes
1. Overuse of Screens
Using a screen, whether it is a computer, smartphone, or any other portable digital device, causes a less frequent blink of the eye. The condition causes greater tear evaporation and increases the risk of dry eye symptoms.
2. Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can also damage eyes and dry them because of certain chemicals used to make contact lenses.
3. Indoor Environment
Dry eyes may occur because of a lack of humidity in the indoor environment due to air conditioning, ceiling fans, and heating systems. It can increase tear evaporation that causes dry eye symptoms.
4. Health Conditions
Dry eyes may develop due to certain health conditions like diabetes, thyroid-associated diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. People with these conditions are likely to experience dry eyes.
Treatment for Dry Eyes
The following are the most common treatments that doctors usually recommend to minimize signs and symptoms of dry eyes.
1. Artificial Tear Eye Drops
Suppose you face mild symptoms of dry eyes due to any situational or regular screen usage cause. You can use an artificial tear eye drop. You can buy any lubricating drop that works well for dry eye conditions on a prescription or over the counter.
2. Steroid Eye Drops
You can use steroid eye drops to manage short-term symptoms as they provide you quick relief. There may be a variety of steroid eye drops that are helpful in eye care. However, you should consult the doctor to get the prescribed eye drops depending on your dry eye condition.
Conclusion
A careful, complete examination of your eyes can identify the presence and severity level of dry eye syndrome and assists your doctor figure out the best eye treatment. It is also helpful to keep your eyes healthy and make you feel comfortable.