Occasional eye dryness is usually not a health concern, particularly if it only occurs in certain environments or situations. Wearing contact lenses for long periods of time, for instance, can lead to dry eyes . For some, however, eye dryness is prolonged and can be so uncomfortable that it affects their daily lives. If you are experiencing extreme eye dryness, determine the cause and the appropriate treatment.
Identification
Dry eyes are not only uncomfortable, they can also affect your vision. Typical symptoms associated with eye dryness include burning or scratchy eyes, light sensitivity and blurry vision. In addition, you may have difficulty reading even for a limited amount of time. Mucous buildup around your eyes and excessive tearing are also common symptoms of dry eyes. Wearing contacts and being around dry environments can be especially challenging.
Causes
Poor tear production and imbalances in the makeup of your tears are the main causes of eye dryness. Poor tear production is most likely if you are over the age of 50 or have been through menopause, according to the Mayo Clinic. Damage to the tear glands can also cause dry eyes. Several medical conditions are associated with eye dryness, such as lupus, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction and rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren's syndrome -- another potential cause -- is an immune disorder involving decreased production of saliva and tears.
Effects
While having dry eyes may seem to be merely a nuisance, leaving the condition untreated can have serious effects on your vision and overall eye health. Eye dryness puts you at higher risk for having eye infections, because of the lack of tear production to protect the eyes. In addition, untreated extreme eye dryness may lead to cornea damage. This can affect your sight and leave your eyes inflamed.
Medical Treatment
Treatment for dry eyes is dependent on the cause of the condition, which requires evaluation by an ophthalmologist or other health-care professional. If your eye dryness is a result of an illness, such as a thyroid disorder, treating the illness will be the priority. In other cases, you may be prescribed medications such as Restasis, which treats inflammation and can increase tear production. For more severe cases, prescription inserts that lubricate the eyes throughout the day may be needed. A medical procedure to close your tear ducts may also be necessary; this keeps tears from being drained away from the eyes.
Other Options
Make changes in your environment to improve eye dryness. Use a humidifier to increase the amount of moisture in your home's air. Plug in air filters to remove dust and other irritants from the air that are bothersome to the eyes. If you wear contacts, be sure that any eye drops you use are safe to use with the lenses. Talk with your ophthalmologist or optometrist about contacts designed for people with dry eyes.
