7 things you should know about dry eyes

Millions of Americans suffer from dry eyes each year. If you’re one of these individuals, rest assured - there are many easy treatments that can help relieve your symptoms and ease any discomfort you may be feeling. But, before you choose a treatment plan, let’s go over some of the top things you should know about dry eyes.

#1: Dry eyes can be caused by a variety of factors
One of the most common factors is the body’s aging. As we get older, the body produces fewer tears, which can lead to dry eyes. Other causes include conditions like thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and hormonal changes, and even medications like anti-depressants, birth control pills, and antihistamines. If you have minor symptoms of dry eyes, this could be caused by the changing seasons; the less humidity in the air, the more that eyes need a little extra moisture.

#2: The symptoms of dry eye can vary.
Depending on your individual situation, the symptoms you experience will vary. Common symptoms include a dry, scratchy feeling in your eye, burning or itching, blurry vision, redness, and light sensitivity.

#3: Although dry eyes can’t be cured, there are a variety of treatment options.
One of the first methods of treatment a doctor will recommend is using lubricating drops and a nighttime ointment. If this doesn’t help alleviate the pain, the eye doctor may recommend silicone or collagen plugs be inserted to close the tear ducts, which can be done within a matter of minutes during an office visit.

#4: Changes to your diet may help improve the symptoms of dry eyes.
Dehydration is one of the major causes of dry eye syndrome. Since water helps flush toxins out of the body and helps the eye in the lubrication process, not getting enough water can affect your eyes. It’s recommend that you drink 10 glasses per day.

The fatty acid Omega-3, found in fish and seafood, is another thing that is recommended to fight dry eye syndrome. Good sources include tuna, albacore, sardines, mackerel, flaxseed, canola, and soybeans.

#5: You CAN wear contact lenses, even if you have dry eyes.
Although this may seem impossible, you can wear contact lenses when you’re suffering from dry eyes. To keep yourself comfortable while wearing contact lenses, consider rewetting drops or prescription eye drops. You can also soak your lenses for a couple minutes every few hours to make wearing them all day more comfortable. Finally, make sure you’re taking good care of your contacts. Clean them regularly and replace them as recommended on the box. There are a few brands of lenses that are designed for those with dry eyes, including Acuvue Oasis and Proclear Compatibles.

#6: There can be complications from dry eyes, although rare.
Since tears protect the eyes from infection, and those with dry eyes don’t produce enough tears, they run a higher risk of more frequent eye infections. If left untreated, a severe case of dry eyes can lead to eye inflammation, vision problems, and scarring on the cornea’s surface.

#7: You can control inflammation using home remedies.
Frequent eyelid washing has been known to help with inflammation. To do this, put a warm washcloth over your eyes for five minutes, and re-wet the cloth with warm water as soon as it cools; repeat. It may also help to gently rub the washcloth over your eyelids to get rid of any debris.

Another popular home remedy is putting a mild soap - like baby shampoo - on your fingertips and massage your closed eyes near the base of your eyelids for a few minutes. When finished, rinse the soap away.

Mark Masters has authored many pieces on the eye care & surgery industry. Finding the right Lasik surgeon and ophthalmologist is important for a successful outcome.