There are more than 16 million people in America who suffer from dry eyes. This condition is often simply uncomfortable, but it can also leave your eyes more vulnerable to damage, infection and chronic discomfort. Along with coating your eyes, tears can also heal surface-level damage that’s been caused. It makes sense then that dry eyes can lead to other problems with your eyes.

In this article, we’ll discuss a few of the factors that may be causing your dry eyes. As well, we’ll let you know what you should do if you want to get treatment for your dry eyes.

What’s Causing Your Dry Eyes?

Your Eyes Aren’t Producing Enough Tears

There are several reasons why your body may not be producing enough tears to properly lubricate your eyes. Some of these are demographic: the older you get, the less tears your body produces. Additionally, women tend to produce less tears than men.

However, there are several other factors at play here. If your tear glands have been damaged, you’re at greater risk for dry eyes.

Medications and medical conditions can both lead to reduced tear correction. Thyroid problems, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis are a few of the medical conditions that can cause issues, while antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, and blood pressure drugs are a few of the medications that may be at play here.

While people may experience dry eyes after laser eye surgery, it’s rare for these problems to be long-term.

Your Tears Are Evaporating Too Quickly

If your body is producing enough tears, these tears may simply not stay on the surface of your eyes long enough to protect them. This is often because they’re getting irritated by wind or smoke, but it could also be caused if you’re not blinking enough.

Occasionally medical issues may be at play here, like ectropion or entropion. These are conditions that have to do with the way your lids are positioned against the eye, whether they are too tight (entropion) or too loose (ectropion). Surgery is sometimes recommended with these types of diagnoses.

Your Tears Aren’t Balanced Properly

Along with making sure your eyes have enough tears to be properly lubricated and protected, you also need to make sure that the tears your body produces are properly balanced. Tears are a complicated composition, being made of oil, water, and mucus. For this reason, it’s important t be getting the “building blocks” of the tears as a regular part of your diet. Water intake and omega-3 fatty acids are considerations in the first steps to combat dry eye.

When to Get a Diagnosis for Dry Eyes

If you’re suffering with dry eyes, there are a number of things you can do to relieve your symptoms. Over-the-counter medication (artificial tears) is often effective for cases that are less serious, as is drinking plenty of water. Ask your doctor for recommended brands and formulations specific to your type of dry eye.

However, if your dry eyes are still troublesome or if you feel they’re bad enough to potentially cause vision problems, it’s worth booking an appointment with an eye doctor. They’ll speak with you and exam your eyes to try and determine the source of the issue. Then they’ll be able to prescribe proper treatment.

Dry Eye Treatment – Advanced Eye Care in Amarillo, Texas

If your dry eyes are interfering with your everyday life, you should speak with a medical professional. Advanced Eye Care’s Amarillo office is dedicated to making sure Texas residents get the eyecare treatment they need.

Whether you have any questions about our services or you’re ready to call us at (806) 355-9536. You can also request an appointment online.

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