Dry Eye Causes and Symptoms: A Comprehensive Overview

Learn about the causes and symptoms of dry eye, including age-related tear production, hormonal influences, medications, environmental triggers, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, allergies, neurological conditions, laser eye surgery’s temporary effects, chemotherapy, and the significance of vitamin D for maintaining eye health.

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• Symptoms of Dry Eye

  • There are a range of symptoms associated with dry eye, including intermittent blurry vision, dryness, redness, itching, burning, stinging, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and the sensation of having something in the eye.

 

• Common Causes of Dry Eye

  • Age – Over time, our eyes might not make as many tears as they used to, which can sometimes make them feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • Hormonal changes – Thyroid disease, menopause, and pregnancy can cause dry eye.
  • Medications – Medications like allergy medications or anti-depressants can make your eyes feel dry
  • Environmental triggers – Windy conditions, air conditioning, dry climates can make our eyes feel dry because they can take away the moisture and make our eyes work harder to stay comfortable.
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) – The little oil-making glands in our eyelids (aka the Meibomian Glands) don’t work properly, making it harder for our eyes to stay moisturized and comfortable
  • Autoimmune Disorders – Sometimes, our immune system gets a bit mixed up and starts attacking the parts that make tears in our eyes. This can make our eyes feel dry and not as comfortable.
  • Diabetes – Elevated glucose in the body can cause our tears to go away too quickly.
  • Allergies – When suffering from allergies, your eyes might not have enough tears to stay comfortable.
  • Neurological Conditions – Neurologic conditions can cause dry eye because they can affect the way our brain communicates with our eyes, leading to reduced tear production and dryness.
  • Laser Eye Surgery – LASIK and PRK can cause temporary dry eye by disrupting the nerves responsible for tear production during the surgery.
  • Medications – Allergy medications as well as some anti depressants are common causes of dry eye.
  • Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy – These treatments affect the glands in our eyes that make tears, making our eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • Vitamin D Deficiency – This important vitamin helps keep our eyes healthy and when we don’t get enough of it, our tears might not work as well.

Take control of your eye health today! If you’re experiencing dryness, redness, itching, burning, or other discomforts in your eyes, don’t wait. Schedule an eye exam with us to find personalized solutions and relief for your dry eye symptoms. Your eyes deserve the best care, and we’re here to help you see and feel better!