What is dry eyes?
Dry eye disease is a common condition that occurs when your tears aren't able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes.
Treatments for dry eyes may make you more comfortable. These treatments can include lifestyle changes and eyedrops.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:
- A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty with nighttime driving
- Watery eyes, which is the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
Dry eyes are caused by a variety of reasons that disrupt the healthy tear film.
Your tear film normally keeps the surface of your eyes lubricated, smooth and clear. Reasons for tear film dysfunction are many, including hormone changes, autoimmune disease, inflamed eyelid glands or allergic eye disease.
Risk factors include:
- Being older than 50.
- Being a woman.
- Eating a diet that is low in vitamin A
- Wearing contact lenses or having a history of refractive surgery.
Complications
People who have dry eyes may experience these complications:
- Eye infections.
- Damage to the surface of your eyes.
- Decreased quality of life.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863
