Do you ever feel like there’s sand in your eyes or are your eyes constantly dry? These could be signs that you have dry eye disease. Dry eye disease, also known as dry eye syndrome, happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears you have evaporate too quickly. Dry eye can be mild to severe, and understanding the causes can often help you find relief. Common causes of dry eyes include: 

Aging 

As we age, our tear production can decrease. This is especially common for women after menopause due to hormonal changes. The hormonal shifts can reduce the production of certain components in your tears, making them less effective at keeping your eyes moist. 

Environmental factors 

Wind, smoke, and dry air can all make your tears evaporate faster. Spending time in air-conditioned or heated spaces can also dry out your eyes. Even everyday activities like using a fan or sitting too close to a heater can worsen dry eye symptoms. Using a humidifier at home and protecting your eyes with glasses or sunglasses outdoors can help your eyes retain moisture. 

Screen time 

We all love our screens, but staring at computers, phones, or TVs can reduce how often you blink, leading to dry eyes. This is often called digital eye strain. When you focus on a screen, you tend to blink less frequently, and your blinks might not be as complete. This means your eyes aren’t getting the regular coating of tears they need to stay lubricated. Taking regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule—looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes—can help keep your eyes moist.  

Medications 

Certain medications, like antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and blood pressure meds, can reduce your tear production. These medications can interfere with your body’s natural ability to produce tears, leading to dry eyes. If you’re experiencing dry eyes and taking any medications regularly, ask your doctor about alternatives or additional treatments to help manage your symptoms. 

Health conditions 

Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and Sjögren’s syndrome can interfere with how your eyes produce tears. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome affect glands that produce fluids such as tears and saliva, leading to chronic dryness. Diabetes can affect the nerves that control tear production, while thyroid disorders can impact tear composition and consistency. Managing these underlying health conditions with the help of your doctor can improve your dry eye symptoms. 

Contact lenses 

Wearing contact lenses for long periods can cause or worsen dry eyes. Contacts can be convenient, but they can also reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your eyes and disrupt the natural tear film. If you love your contacts but hate the dryness, talk to your eye doctor. They might recommend switching to a different type of lens or using rewetting drops to keep your eyes more comfortable. 

LASIK surgery 

Procedures like LASIK can sometimes result in temporary or long-term dry eyes. Eye surgery can correct vision problems but may also affect tear production and distribution. Most people find that their dry eye symptoms improve as they heal, but some may need ongoing treatment to keep their eyes comfortable. If you’ve had eye surgery and are experiencing dryness, your eye doctor can help you find the right solutions. 

Symptoms of dry eye 

How do you know if you’re dealing with dry eye? Here are some common signs: 

• Redness and irritation: Your eyes might look red and feel irritated. 
• Burning sensation: You might feel a burning or stinging sensation. 
• Sensitivity to light: You could become more sensitive to light. 
• Blurry vision: Your vision might be blurry, especially after reading or using a computer. 
• Watery eyes: Surprisingly, dry eyes can cause excessive watering as a response to irritation or to compensate for dryness.  

Personalized care at Bella Vista Family Eye Care 

When eye drops and at-home remedies no longer work, you may need to explore other treatment options for dry eyes. At Bella Vista Family Eye Care, we offer dry eye treatment in Rockford, including OptiLight IPL therapy. This state-of-the-art treatment uses intense pulsed light to reduce inflammation and improve tear production, providing much-needed relief for those with chronic or severe dry eye. Rather than masking the symptoms, OptiLight treats the underlying cause of dry eye to reduce dryness and discomfort. Request an appointment today and find out how we can help you keep your eyes healthy and comfortable.