Dry eye is a common illness when your tears cannot adequately lubricate your eyes. It can either manifest as a temporary condition or a chronic one. There are various reasons why tears can be unstable or insufficient. When your tear glands don't generate enough tears or when they dry up too rapidly, the condition develops.

The instability of the tears causes inflammation and surface damage to the eye. Burning, itching, and a gritty eye sensation are common symptoms. To find a treatment that works for you, you should experiment with various approaches, such as eye drops and procedures.
 

What Causes Dry Eye?

Dry eye can occur in three different forms, each of which can occur due to a different cause. Depending on the cause, the eye doctor will determine the best treatment for you. The three primary forms of dry eye syndrome are:

·      Dry Eye From Rapid Evaporation

With this form of dry eye syndrome, your tears start to dry up too rapidly, exposing your eye's surface. Dysfunction of the meibomian gland is the most frequent cause of this type of dry eye. It usually indicates an improper function of the glands within your eyelid that create the outer lipid layer of your tear film. Because of its instability, the lipid layer cannot keep the aqueous layer from drying out.

·      Dry Eye From Insufficient Tears

This dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears. Your aqueous tears are secreted by your lacrimal gland, located in the upper corner of each eye. The middle, aqueous film of your tears is made up of these tears. Your lacrimal gland may become inflamed due to some autoimmune diseases, which will reduce the amount of aqueous tears it produces.

·      Mixed Dry Eye Syndrome

Tear insufficiency and tear instability can co-occur in some people. This indicates insufficient tear production from your eyes and fluctuation in the tear film. The symptoms from both of these conditions are present at the same time.
 

Common Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Aging

Dry eye is a problem that anyone can have, but it gets more prevalent as you age. Due to a drop in tear production with advancing age, dry eye typically affects more persons over 50. Although you can't stop this dry eye, using artificial tears frequently can give your eyes enough lubricant to coat them and relieve the symptoms.

Digital Eyestrain

In addition to causing digital eyestrain, prolonged computer use can cause dry eyes and alter tear production. This is because those who use computers tend to blink less frequently. Their tears dry up more quickly as a result. Blinking more regularly can lessen dryness if you work at a computer.

Medications

Some drugs might lower mucus production, which can worsen chronic dry eye. Antidepressants, antihistamines, beta-blockers, and diuretics are some examples of these. Speak to your doctor if you take medicine and develop dry eyes.
 

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome?

·      Sensitivity to light.

·      Stringy mucus discharge.

·      Stinging or burning sensation.

·      Blurry vision.

·      Excessive tearing.

For more on understanding the causes and the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, visit Vision One Eyecare Center at our office in Fort Mitchell or Dry Ridge, Kentucky. You can call (859) 267-1700 or (859) 407-7400 to book an appointment today.