Dry eyes – for anyone who’s experienced it, this itchy, painful, uncomfortable experience can go beyond being a simple nuisance and pose a serious impediment to quality of life. But what causes dry eyes? If you’ve been wondering why you have dry eyes, we at Country Hills Eye Center would love to help. We proudly provide quality eye care and ophthalmology services to patients throughout Ogden, UT, including treatment for chronic dry eyes.
What Do Dry Eyes Feel Like?
First, it’s important to identify the symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eyes can actually cause a wide range of reactions, and it’s possible that you may think you have another condition when in fact you have dry eyes. The symptoms of dry eyes can include:
- Scratchy, stinging, or burning sensation in the eyes
- Red eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Feeling like you always have something in your eyes
- Problems wearing contact lenses
- Stringy mucus that collects around the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye fatigue
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Now that we’ve identified how dry eyes present themselves, let’s understand the causes. At a core level, dry eyes occur when the tears fail to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. This may happen for a wide number of reasons ranging from environmental stimuli to a chronic condition. Some of the most common causes of dry eyes include:
- Decreased tear production from age, tear gland damage, certain medications, and certain medical conditions
- Increased evaporation of the tears due to environmental factors like smoke, dry air, or wind
- Unconsciously blinking less often, usually because you’re concentrating hard on something or staring at a screen
How To Treat Dry Eyes
If you’re suffering from dry eyes, there are a number of options you can try for relief. Here are a few ways to alleviate dry eyes:
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Take breaks during tasks that strain the eyes, such as reading or using a computer
- Quit smoking and avoid smoke
- Use artificial tears
- Schedule a consultation with an Eye Doctor
Contact Your Ogden, UT Ophthalmologists Today!
For most people, dry eyes are a mild problem that can be managed with at-home methods – but if dry eyes are a serious, chronic issue for you, we can help. If you’re suffering from chronic dry eyes, schedule a consultation with us today. We’ll identify the cause of your dry eyes, prescribe a treatment that works for you, and help you reclaim comfortable, clear vision.
