Do you often experience an uncomfortable, scratchy sensation in your eyes? You may have tried rinsing your eyes using a contact lens solution, eye wash, or water but without success.
Persistent eye discomfort may be due to dry eye, a chronic and debilitating condition.
The good news is that dry eye is manageable. This post explores the symptoms and possible causes of dry eye. You will also learn more about the potential treatments to alleviate eye discomfort and improve your quality of life.
What Is Dry Eye?
“It feels like something is in my eye.” When eye specialists hear this complaint, dry eye is among the first conditions they consider. So, what is dry eye, and what are the symptoms of this condition?
Healthy eyes have an oily film that protects and lubricates the eye’s surface, ensuring comfortable eye movements. The meibomian gland is responsible for producing this oily layer. When you have dry eye, your meibomian glands don’t produce enough oil, causing eye discomfort and blurry vision.
Patients suffering from dry eye typically complain of the following:
- A gritty or sandy sensation during eye movements
- A stinging or burning sensation, especially after waking up
- Light sensitivity
- A mucus discharge from the eyes
- Watery eyes
Watery eyes may seem like a strange symptom of dry eyes. If your eyes are dry, why do you have tears running down your face?
When your meibomian glands’ oil production decreases, your lacrimal glands take over, increasing the production of watery tears to compensate for the dryness. However, these tears don’t provide the same protection and lubrication as meibomian oil, which means eye discomfort persists.
Eye Discomfort: Causes and Risk Factors
Environmental factors are among the most common causes of dry eye. Pollutants and other substances, such as cosmetic products, can build up in the meibomian glands, blocking oil secretion.
Sometimes, the meibomian glands function normally, but the oil layer dries out too quickly, causing dry eye. For example, dry eye is inevitable if you work in an office where air conditioning blows directly on your face. Similarly, insufficient blinking while staring at a screen can cause noticeable eye discomfort.
Medical conditions can also cause dry eye. These conditions include Sjogren’s syndrome, Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, scleroderma, and lupus. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and after menopause are another potential cause of this condition.
Steps To Alleviate Dry Eye
If you suspect your eye discomfort is due to dry eyes, the first step is to address potential environmental factors. For example, change your night skincare routine if you tend to go to bed without properly removing your makeup. Similarly, if you smoke, stare at a screen for long periods, or sit near air conditioning vents, making the necessary changes will likely relieve your eye discomfort.
Additionally, place a warm compress over your eyes for 10 minutes at a time, two or three times daily. A warm compress will help to unclog your meibomian glands and promote oil production.
Another do-it-yourself remedy for dry eyes is to increase your omega-3 fatty acid intake, as this healthy fat promotes meibomian gland function.
When to See Your Doctor
If environmental changes and home remedies don’t relieve your eye discomfort, schedule an appointment with your doctor. A thorough medical examination will reveal the underlying cause of your eye discomfort and ensure effective treatment. Seeing your doctor also ensures that potentially debilitating conditions, such as diabetes, don’t go undiagnosed.
Medical Treatments for Dry Eyes
An eye specialist may recommend one of many different treatments for dry eye. In most cases, doctors recommend eye drops to treat inflammation in the tear glands and restore oil production. Depending on the cause, your doctor may prescribe a nasal spray, ointment, or artificial tears to alleviate eye discomfort.
In some cases, medical procedures are necessary to address eye discomfort. A punctal occlusion is a painless procedure that involves inserting a plug in the eye’s tear drain. This treatment prevents the premature draining of tears, alleviating dry eyes. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is an in-office procedure that involves the application of light pulses to melt or liquefy substances blocking the meibomian glands.
Final Thoughts
Dry eyes can cause noticeable eye discomfort in the form of a gritty, sandy, or burning sensation. If you experience eye discomfort, changing your habits or environment can provide long-lasting relief. A warm compress is another effective home remedy to consider. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if your eye discomfort persists.
