What happens when your eyes start to feel dry and crusty? For anyone working long hours, eye dryness is a problem that often turns into a full-blown and uncomfortable medical condition.
Let’s explore the most common causes of eye dryness, the signs, and how to prevent it from turning into something far more uncomfortable.
1. Aging
Aging causes dry eyes for a variety of reasons. As we age, our bodies produce less oil, which means our tears are not as effective at lubricating our eyes. In addition, the glands that produce tears tend to shrink with age, further reducing tear production.
Additionally, the muscles that control the eyelids can weaken, causing the eyelids to not close as effectively, which can lead to the evaporation of tears. All of these factors can contribute to dry, irritated eyes.
2. Medication
There are a variety of ways that medication can cause dry eyes. One way is by decreasing the production of tears. This can be a side effect of antihistamines, decongestants, and some blood pressure medications.
Another way is by increasing the evaporation of tears. This can be a side effect of certain antidepressants, beta-blockers, and diuretics. Medication can also cause an inflammation of the eyelids, which can lead to dry eyes.
3 Computer Exposure
Starring at a computer for a long period can cause dry eyes. Most people who worked with computers often experience eyestrain and tension headaches. These people tend to blink less which results in quick tear evaporation.
4. Low Vitamin A Intake
Vitamin A is the main vitamin that enhances and keeps our eyes healthy. Lacking this vitamin can lead to some eye problems such as dry eyes, visual impairment, and also night blindness. Eating foods such as eggs, carrots, fish, broccoli, and spinach can help avoid this.
5. Certain Medical Conditions
It is also a known fact that medical conditions affect our eyes, and some medical conditions can cause dry eyes. Sjogren’s syndrome is one of those conditions, It is an autoimmune disorder where white blood cells attack your salivary glands and tear glands.
This results in reduced tear production. Other examples of medical conditions that affect your eyes are allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and thyroid.
6. Blepharitis
This is a condition where small oil glands on your inner eyelid get clogged and inflamed. It makes the eyes dry and causes some oil flakes on your eyelids. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this but you can reduce the inflammation by applying a warm compress over your eyes and cleaning your eyelids with baby shampoo.
If you’re looking for some remedies for this condition, view these wipes for blepharitis.
7. Contact Lenses
Using contact lenses for a long time can risk chronic dry eyes. this is due to the cornea needing oxygen and some contact lenses block it. limiting your use of contacts lens or switching to eyeglasses from time to time is recommended.
Prevent Dry Eyes
There are many common causes of eye dryness, but the most common is simply not blinking often enough. In our fast-paced lives, we often forget to take the time to blink, and our eyes can become dry as a result. Other common causes of eye dryness include staring at screens for long periods, dusty or smoky environments, and dry climates.
If you are experiencing eye dryness, be sure to blink more often, take breaks from screens, and stay hydrated. If the problem persists, consult your doctor.
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