If you have ever dealt with dry eyes syndrome, you will remember the day you woke up to a sensation in your eyes akin to sandpaper (dry, gritty, and irritated). The irritation and dryness can be quite intolerable (a genuine nuisance!), making you feel like something is seriously amiss with your eyes. Interestingly, these are among the signs and symptoms of dry eyes, a condition that impacts millions worldwide. But what contributes to dry eyes, and how can one find relief? The answer lies in understanding the causes and symptoms of dry eyes. Let’s explore the answers together.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYES SYNDROME
The signs and symptoms consist of:
1) A peppery, burning, or stingy feeling.
2) Photophobia (increased sensitivity to bright light).
3) Redness and Inflammation: Eyes that appear red, inflamed, or swollen.
4) A gritty or foreign body feeling.
5) Excessive tearing (Epiphora).
6) Blurred vision.
7) Eye strain and/or fatigue.
8) Heightened Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to wind or temperature variations.
One might ask, Tearing??
Question:
“We mentioned that the eyes are dry due to a lack of tears needed for lubrication; how is excessive tearing a symptom?”
Answer:
As noted in our earlier posts, the deficiency in dry eye relates to basal tearing, not reflex tearing. Due to the irritation caused by dryness in the eye, the brain activates the reflex tearing pathway to compensate, resulting in the excessive tearing seen with dry eyes.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR DRY EYES?
As discussed, dry eye occurs when the tear film’s quantity or quality is compromised. So, what can affect the quantity and/or quality of the tear film?
Several factors can contribute to this, including, but not limited to:
1) Hormonal fluctuations (commonly observed in women, particularly during pregnancy).
2) Autoimmune diseases (when the body starts to attack itself).
3) Inflammation of the eyelid glands (which produce the lipid, aqueous, and mucus components of tears) or allergic eye conditions.
4) Age: As people age, the production of aqueous tears decreases, a condition known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS).
5) Systemic conditions include Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, graft vs. host disease, sarcoidosis, thyroid issues, or vitamin A deficiency.
6) Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, hormone therapy, antidepressants, and medicines for high blood pressure, acne, birth control, and Parkinson’s disease.
7) Corneal nerve desensitization (Neurotrophic keratopathy) is caused by contact lens use, nerve injury, or laser eye procedures.
8) Frequent computer use (research indicates that regular computer users blink less, leading to quicker evaporation of tears).
9) Regular use of preservative-containing eye drops.
10) Contact Lens Usage: Contact lenses can heighten your risk of experiencing dry eyes.
11) Environmental Conditions: Wind, dry air, and prolonged screen exposure can all contribute to dry eyes.
12) Medical Conditions: Certain health issues, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders, may increase your chances of developing dry eyes.
We will pause here; in our next post, we will discuss how to address this condition.
Please do not hesitate to send your inquiries and concerns to TREETOP VISION EYE CENTRE (TREVEC), the best eye clinic in Utako Abuja. We will be happy to respond.
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Insightful. Thank you
Great to know. Needful enlightenment.
Thanks Trevec
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