The common causes of dry eyes are manifold. The inability of the eyes to generate enough tears for maintaining lubrication of the eyes is a factor that leads to dry eyes. In other words, lack of moisture on the surface of the eyes can result in the eyes becoming dehydrated. A large section of the population is commonly afflicted with dry eyes.
If you are suffering from dry eyes, you may notice symptoms such as eye irritation, swelling, scarring, blurred vision, photophobia, itchiness, heaviness, burning sting, redness, and soreness. You may also feel that a foreign material is logged in your eye. Your eyes may start watering when they are dry. This occurs because of excess watery constituent and is perceived to be a defense mechanism. However, this does not last for long to rectify the underlying dried condition. Dehydration of the eyes for prolonged durations can also result in permanent eye injury.
Our tears consist of oils (lipids), water (aqueous) and mucus (mucin). This blend forms a protective layer on the eye’s surface and can prevent eye infections. It is important for the eye to remain sufficiently lubricated for maintaining the health of the eyes and flushing dust particles along with microbes that can lead to cornea damage as well as infectivity.
After you consult a doctor and undergo a diagnosis, your dry eye condition is ascertained, and medicines are prescribed accordingly. It is also advisable to consult the medical experts about the common causes of dry eyes for taking the preventive measures henceforth.
Some of the common causes of dry eyes are discussed in detail below.
Reduced production of tears: One of the common causes of dry eyes is the inability to produce enough tears. This condition is referred to as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca. There are various causes for lower production of tears, such as:
- Age-related factors
- Underlying medical conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, thyroid-linked diseases, diabetes, lupus, and lack of vitamin-A
- Intake of drugs like antidepressants, decongestants, antihistamines, and hormonal drugs
- Taking medications for Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, birth control and acne
- Laser eye treatments
- Injury to tear glands due to radiation or inflammation
Heightened evaporation of tears: Sometimes dry eyes are the result of evaporation of tears, and these are discussed in the following details.
- Reduced blinking when focusing on activities such as driving, computer-related work, or reading
- Strong wind, smoky vapors, or arid air
- Excessive in-turning or out-turning of eyelids
Tear make-up disparities: Tears are composed of 3 layers namely mucus, oils and water. Each of the layers has a role to play in restoring ocular health. The oil-based level prevents the tears from evaporating at a rapid pace and ensures that the eyes remain lubricated. The mucus stratum is responsible for spreading the tears across the eye’s surface.
Each of these tear constituents is produced by various eye-linked glands.
- The meibomian glands secrete the oils.
- The lacrimal glands release the aqueous constituent.
- The conjunctiva-related goblet cells are known to emit the mucins.
The dysfunctionality of any of these tear film sources is grouped under the common causes of dry eyes and can result to tear inconsistency. There are different groupings of dry eyes, and they are dependent on which layer is distressed.
The failure of the meibomian glands to exude oil can cause faster evaporation of tears and this condition is known as ‘evaporative dry eye.’ Another condition referred to as ‘aqueous deficiency dry eye’ arises when the lacrimal glands do not emit sufficient water for moistening the eyes. The clogging of the oil-based film that is secreted by the minute-sized meibomian glands, situated on the rims of the eyes, can lead to dehydration of the eyes. Additionally, the inflammation of the eyelids, skin-linked disorders, or rosacea, can cause the meibomian glands to become blocked.
Testing for dry eyes
Your medical practitioner will conduct some eye tests to ascertain if you are ailing from severe eye dryness. Symptoms alone are not able to determine the severity of your eye condition. They vary from person to person due to which they are considered to be poor indicators. Only after your ophthalmologist performs a series of tests, the extent of eye damage is established. This is followed by prescribing a treatment plan.
Several treatment options can be availed by persons suffering from dry eyes. The use of artificial tears and taking breaks at intervals when working on the computer can help in preventing and treating dry eyes.
Your eye doctors may also advise you on taking eye medications for higher secretion of tears and reducing inflammation as well as irritation.
Research studies indicate that those cities that are highly polluted are known to report more cases of dry eyes. Therefore, there is need to adopt a precarious approach by opting for a diagnosis during the early stages and not delaying treatment.
