About Dry Eyes
Feeling of Dry Eyes
The feeling of dry eyes is very common and can be quite debilitating for the sufferer. Various unpleasant sensations
can be experienced:
- feeling of dryness, grittiness, burning, itchiness or scratchiness
of the eyes - sensitivity to light
- blurred vision
- excessive tear flow (caused by an imbalance in the tear film)
What about tears?
A sensation of dryness happens whenever the tear film becomes destabilised, breaks down and thus no longer lubricates the eye sufficiently. The tear film is a complex structure and has various functions:
- It lubricates the surface of the eye
- It keeps the surface tissue of the eye moist
- It supplies nutrients and oxygen to the cornea
- It hinders bacterial infections
- It protects the eye from small dust particles
What makes my eyes dry?
1. Environment:
This feeling of dryness can have a variety of causes. These are often due to negative environmental influences.
- Dry heat
- Air conditioning
- Dust or smoke
2. Physical:
But often the causes lie within the body itself:
- The older we get the less tears are produced by our bodies.
- Long hours in front of a computer screen, or...
- ... the wearing of contact lenses, can destabilise the tear film.
- Women can experience dryness in the eyes due to hormonal changes in the body.
3. Medical:
Underlying medical conditions that can effect the quality of tears:
- Physical disorders in the body, such as rosacea, allergies, diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, or Sjögren's Syndrome*
4. Treatments:
- Medication
- Surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea
* Sjögren's syndrome:
For further information on this condition please visit the website of the British Sjögren's Syndrome Association .
Please consult a physician if you are concerned about any of these conditions.
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