Itchy, Burning, Irritated Eyes? You Might Be Suffering From Dry Eyes

Are your eyes red and constantly irritated? Do you find yourself blinking constantly to no avail? If so, you may be suffering from dry eyes, a common condition wherein the eyes may itch or burn due to the lack of tears to keep them moist. If you think you might have dry eyes, don't worry. Treatment is easy, painless, and, in most cases, provides quick relief. But first, take a moment to understand your risks and what causes the condition.

Who Is At Risk For Dry Eyes?

Dryness of the eyes is a fairly common condition, with almost one in five people reporting that they use eye drops throughout the week to manage their dry eyes. However, having certain traits or illnesses may also raise your risk for permanent or recurring eye dryness. If any of these items sound like you, you could be at high risk for this condition:

• People over 50
• Women, especially those who have gone through menopause
• Patients who have received laser eye surgery recently.
• Diabetics
• Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers
• Those with lupus
• People with thyroid disorders
• Patients suffering from frequent dehydration

If your eyes are irritated more often than not and any of the items on this list apply to you, it may be a good idea to talk to your optometrist about the problem.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Causes for dry eyes range from problems with the tear ducts to issues with the composition of tears themselves. In some cases, external factors like your job or your environment may also cause eye dryness, even in those with healthy eyes.

Illnesses that cause inflammation around the eyes, skin conditions, and clogged meibomian glands, which typically release the lipid portion of tears, can all prevent tears from being secreted correctly. Dehydration, lack of vitamin A, and certain hormonal imbalances can also throw the components of tears out of whack, meaning they evaporate too quickly and fail to keep the eye properly moistened.

Some aspects of your environment and your work may also contribute. Work tasks that cause you to blink more slowly may dry out your eyes; these include driving, reading, and using a computer for extended periods. Work and home environments that are cold, dry, or dusty can also irritate your eyes and cause dryness after frequent and prolonged exposure.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

The treatment for your dry eyes depends wholly on the cause of the problem.

If your eyes are dry due to low tear production, you will likely be prescribed special eye drops to serve as artificial tears. Certain brands may also stimulate the tear ducts to product more natural tears, which limits how often the drops must be applied.

For sufferers who don't wish to constantly reapply artificial tears, lubricating inserts may be put into the eye socket near the tear ducts. These inserts release set amounts of lubricant throughout the day, ensuring that the eye stays wet without constant use of eye drops.

In addition to prescription drops, your optometrist may also recommend protective eyewear, such as sunglasses that block out wind and dust. These glasses keep your eyes from getting irritated when they are dry. You may also need to switch from wearing contacts to traditional glasses, as contacts can irritate an improperly moistened eye.

If the issue is with your environment, you can take several steps to reduce dryness. Have an air filter and humidifier installed in your home or office, if possible. This will remove dust from the air and also ensure that it isn't too dry. If your work causes you not to blink for extended periods, take frequent but quick blinking breaks where you close your eyes or blink rapidly to stimulate tear production

Regardless of the cause of your eye dryness, studies have shown that consuming vitamin A, omega 3 fatty acids, and plenty of water will likely help you to be more comfortable in the future.

Don't let dry eyes drive you up a wall. If your eyes are irritated and you think the problem is dryness, talk to your optometrist today. You could be on your way to soothing drops and pain-free sight in no time. Go to sites of local eye clinics to learn more.