Dry Eyes is that irritating problem when your eyes become red, sore and often very itchy and nothing seems to help! Each human being has two types of tear production techniques – basic tearing, which is completely natural and steady; the second is through reflexes resulting from a response to emotion. These reflex tears are not the type of quality tears that keep your eyes moist at all.
Basically, when you have the very annoying eye problem of dry eyes, it means that you have problems with the tear film that maintains the moist and lubrication of your eyes. This can be caused by a number of factors but basically means that your tear ducts do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. In the end, the result is essentially a huge discomfort and blurred vision. Adverse effects include: sensitivity to light; tearing; stinging eyes; burning eyes; feeling like you need to scratch your eyes; increased irritation to wind and smoke; and tired eyes following reading and other eye-intense activities.
Generally, dry eyes are not specifically harmful, but you should also remember that severe dry eyes can turn into infections, inflammations, and cornea surface scarring. So, if they cause such intense discomfort that you no longer enjoy life as much; you have difficulty performing your everyday tasks; or the condition continues for an extended period, then you should go for an eye examination by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist). He will check the amount and quality of your tear production – sometimes by using blotting strips of paper, other times with special eye dyes.
Treatment for dry eyes is varied but whatever the case, your eye doctor will need to find out the cause as a vital step in its treatment.
There are certain medications which are notorious for causing dry eyes and these include sleeping pills, birth control pills, antidepressants, acne treatments, opiate based pain relievers, diuretics or high blood pressure medication, antihistamines, decongestants and angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure. Certain environmental factors may then further aggravate the already sensitive eyes.
In addition, any time your eyes are forced to focus on a specific area for an extended period of time – specifically an area with a glare, your eyes may dry up. Just think, when you head off on a long car journey, your eyes are so focused on the road in front of you that they grow tired and dry. The same applies with writing, reading, computer work, extended cell phone usage and so on. All these activities somehow cause you to stare, rather than blink and so, the moisture on your eyes evaporates much faster.
For those ages 40 and older, dry eyes are pretty common as age decreases your production of tears. Those with medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and lupus may also suffer from dry eyes as a result.
If you have problems with your eyelids, then this could affect your blinking, which will, in turn, cause dry eyes. Inflammation of your eyelids (Blepharitis) will result in the same. In such a case, you should ensure to constantly clean your eyelids (your doctor will advise you of the proper cleaning solution) and you may be prescribed some kind of antibiotic treatment.
Whenever suffering from dry eyes, artificial tears are a good option. They instantly help your dry eyes and provide soothing relief and can be used as often as you need them – but make sure not to use the products with red eye removers as these may make your eyes worse.
You can prevent making your dry eyes worse if you use the lubricating eye drops before starting eye-straining activities like using the computer or reading.
Remember, buying discount eyeglasses with your updated eyeglasses prescription is one thing but cheap eyeglasses are something else entirely. Cheap eyeglasses that are not manufactured to the highest standards may actually be harmful to your eyes, causing continued eye strain and dry eyes, as a result. Don’t let dry eyes mess up your visual enjoyment of life – start taking preventative steps or work hard to solve the current dilemma.
Hillary Glaser is a social networking specialist and expert in cross-media promotion, currently working on promoting prescription eyeglasses. She is the Director of Marketing and Special Projects for eyeglassespro.com – the easiest way to buy glasses online, which now offers free shipping on all US orders with the code FreeShip10.