Dry eyes - causes, symptoms & risks

01/12/202313 min read

Dry eyes is a common issue. We explore the causes, symptoms and risks of this condition, as well as tips on how to get better eye health.

We have all got to the end of a long day and found ourselves rubbing our eyes. This might be through a lack of sleep, excess screen time or straining to see.

However, if you find that your eyes are dry, particularly on a regular basis, then you might need to look at some other contributing factors to work out why this might be happening and what you can do about it. Understanding the cause of your dry eyes is the key to fixing them, as it is often a case that you need to change some of your lifestyle habits.

Subjecting your eyes to too much of anything will cause a reaction, and whilst it is nothing to cry about, your tears, or lack of them, are a big part of what causes dry eyes. Your eyes may not make enough tears, the tears may be of poor quality or they may evaporate too quickly.

Moisture is usually spread across the cornea whenever you blink, but without enough tear, or the right quality of tears, this does not happen, and your eyes start to feel dry.¹

What causes dry eyes?

Dry, itchy eyes are a common problem which is usually not serious and easily fixed.

If you notice that you seem to have gritty eyes, a sensitivity to light, or a soreness then you may have dry eyes.

The cause of dry eyes could be many things including your age and your lifestyle. If you are over 50, wear contact lenses, spend a lot of time in air conditioned or heated environments, smoke or take certain medications then you may be more susceptible to dry eyes.²

Whilst dry eyes might ruin your day, they can also be a problem at night. Many people find that they get dry eyes at night because their eyes have naturally dried out.pptom

You may also find that you suffer from particularly dry eyes at night if your eyes do not close completely when you are asleep, a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos.³

Symptoms of dry eyes

Eye dryness is characterised by an itching sensation that can sometimes feel as though you have something in your eyes.
Your eyes can become red, and despite the name, they may also become watery as your body fights the irritation.⁴
Your eyes can become tired and sensitive, and in the case of severe eye dryness, you may also experience some mucus build up.

How to help dry eyes

Protect from dust
Keeping your eyes clean is key to any form of eye health, so that means protecting them in dusty environments with masks and goggles.
Take a break
You need a break when you have been working hard, and so do your eyes, so remember to step away from the screens to avoid digital eyestrain. You might also want to switch your contact lenses to glasses from time to time.^5,6
Try to humidify
A humidifier can stop the air from getting too dry and is therefore an effective dry eye treatment and avoiding smoky or dusty atmospheres can also help.⁷
Speak to a professional
If you find that a prescribed medicine might be causing the problem, then seek medical advice before making any changes. A pharmacist may also be able to give you eye drops to help.

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Can dry eyes be harmful?

Dry eyes are not usually a serious problem and can be easily fixed.

However, if you find that typical dry eye remedies are still not working after a few weeks or there is any change to the shape of your eyelid, then it may indicate that there is a further problem, and you should speak to a GP who can refer you to an ophthalmologist if necessary.

You should seek urgent help if you experience any changes to your vision.

Your eyes are incredibly important, and whilst we can take them for granted, it is important to remember that they cannot always be repaired, and permanent damage can be devastating.

We have therefore put together Five easy ways to look after your eyes to make sure your optical health is as good as it possibly can be. If you find that the problem of dry eyes persists then you should speak to a doctor or optician.

Sources

1. https://www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/dry-eye/

2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-eyes/

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7399990/

4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/watering-eyes/

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6371992/

6. https://www.visiondirect.co.uk/eye-care-centre/dry-eyes-and-contact-lenses

7. https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/dry-eye/8-top-natural-ways-to-stop-dry-eyes/

Disclaimer

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.