Are you experiencing a stinging, burning scratchy feeling in your eyes, or a sensation that you have something in your eyes, have difficulty wearing contact lenses, or driving at night? These could all be symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eyes can be incredibly uncomfortable to live with day-to-day. According to the Mayo Clinic, dry eye syndrome could be the main source of symptoms—it occurs when your supply of tears becomes insufficient in lubricating and nourishing your eyes. Although it can happen at any age, typically dry eye syndrome happens over time and most commonly in people over 40.
However, there may be other culprits for your dry eyes that are not directly connected to dry eye syndrome according to the American Optometric Association. Reasons for your eyes to feel dry could include:
- Antihistamines, antidepressants, and birth-control pills
- Dirty, old, or improperly fitted contacts
- Dry air caused by indoor heaters and/or ceiling fans
- Allergies
- Long hours in front of a computer or digital device
As you can see the causes range from minor to more challenging. If you suspect you may have dry eye syndrome or any of the above causing your dry eyes, it’s best to visit your eye doctor to explore options. During your eye exam, your doctor can check for vision problems and signs of health conditions that could result in dry eyes. An accurate diagnosis is important!
Common symptoms of dry eyes can be stinging or burning eyes. This can be accompanied with excessive tearing and a a sandy or gritty sensation; or episodes of blurred vision and redness. Some of the risk factors for dry eyes are age, hormonal changes, side effects from certain medications and auto-immune disorders, such as arthritis. Nearly 5 million Americans 50 years of age and older are estimated to have dry eye. Of these, more than 3 million are women . Dry eye is particularly common after menopause. Dry eye may be increasing among young people due to extended use of computers, tablets, and smart phones. Treatment include topical lubricants and prescription drops that enhance the eye’s tear film.