Dry eye symptoms seem straightforward: sensations of grittiness, burning, stinging, or scratching; blurry vision, light sensitivity, and stringy mucus. One symptom that's less straightforward and often confuses dry eye sufferers is watery eyes. Dry eye is a condition in which a person doesn't produce enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eyes. This might be because they can't produce enough tears at all, causing truly dry eyes.
It’s also possible the tears they produce might have deficiencies in one of the three layers that make up tears: oil, water, and mucus. In this case, the eyes water excessively to try to compensate. Whichever the case, sufferers want to know what caused their dry eyes, when they should see their doctor, and what they can do to treat the condition.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
There are many reasons a person might develop dry eyes. Some are more controllable than others. A few reasons for dry eyes include:
- Aging (the older you get, your eyes naturally begin to dry out)
- Gender (due to pregnancy, birth control, and menopause, women are more susceptible to dry eyes)
- Some medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid issues, and rheumatoid arthritis are just three conditions that can cause dry eyes)
- Some medications (decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants are just a few medications that may cause dry eyes)
- Environmental conditions (smoke, wind, and dry climates may all contribute to dry eye, as can not blinking while spending extended periods working on a computer)
- Other factors (some people find that long-term contact lens use or LASIK surgery cause dry eyes)
Seeing a Doctor
Self-diagnosing dry eyes seems easy. But if the condition is advanced or left untreated, dry eyes can cause ulcers on the eye, pain in the eye, and create scars on the eye's surface. This is why it's important to see a doctor if:
- The condition comes on suddenly after starting a new medication
- You don't know what could be causing it
- It's interfering with your day-to-day life (keeping someone from working, driving, or completing other simple tasks)
- The discomfort worsens
- At-home treatments don't work or stop working
- The symptoms aren't going away
Because dry eyes can be caused by a symptom of other conditions, it's generally a good idea to see the doctor just to confirm the diagnosis. If the dry eyes are caused by another medical condition or as a side effect of a medication, seeing a doctor can ensure that the person gets the appropriate treatment.
Treatment for Dry Eyes
There are many treatments for dry eyes, from at home and over-the-counter options to prescription choices. At home and over-the-counter treatments include:
- Warm moist compresses
- Artificial tears (eye drops)
- Wearing a sleep mask at night
- Using an eyelid scrub or baby shampoo to wash eyes after using a warm compress
- Using a humidifier at night or in dry spaces
- Resting the eyes frequently when using the computer, phone, or other screens
- Limit exposure to fans and blow dryers
- Wear wraparound sunglasses when outside, especially on windy days
- Try an omega-3 supplement
Prescription or doctor-provided treatments include:
- Prescription eye drops
- Eye inserts
- Tear-stimulating drugs
- Closing the tear ducts
- Using special contact lenses
- Light therapy and eyelid massage
- Thermal pulsation therapy