What are the causes of Dry Eye Disease?
Most us of take the function of our eyes for granted, only realising just how delicate our eyes are, and how important our vision is, when it becomes compromised. In order for our eyes to work properly, they need moisture. This is produced by something known as the lacrimal gland, which has the sole purpose of creating tear film to coat and lubricate our eyes. This tear film contains a complex blend of antibodies, proteins and natural oils which help to keep our eyes healthy. However, if this natural lubrication of the eyes is interrupted or compromised, a patient is said to suffer from an ocular problem known as dry eye disease.
Dry eye disease is a fairly common condition that affects millions of people worldwide each year. It is often temporary, and a patient might only experience a few, short episodes of dry eyes during their lifetime. However, for some other people the condition becomes a chronic problem that requires constant management to keep the uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms at bay.
How do I know if I have dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease usually presents with a number of different symptoms aside from the eyes themselves simply feeling dry and uncomfortable. These symptoms include:
Blurred vision
Grittiness in the eyes
Stinging or burning sensations in the eyes
Eyelids that feel heavy and tired
Redness or swelling around the eyes
Problems paying close visual attention to anything, such as a smartphone screen or book, for more than just a few minutes at a time
What causes dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease, also sometimes called dry eye syndrome, can be caused by a variety of different factors. Sometimes these causes are even combined which can increase the severity of your symptoms and the effect that the condition has on your day to day life. Here are some of the most common reasons why a patient may be suffering from dry eye disease.
Advancing age
Getting older means that our bodies undergo a vast variety of changes. Some of our body systems and organs no longer function as well as they once did, and this can cause us to experience a range of health problems. Unfortunately, age has been shown to be a common denominator amongst patients with dry eye disease, which is believed to be because the lacrimal gland isn’t as effective as before. For this reason, dry eye disease is more commonly diagnosed in patients aged 60 and older.
After laser eye surgery
Laser eye surgery is quite literally transforming the way in which we see the world and for many people, this revolutionary treatment means that they no longer need to rely on glasses or contact lenses for clear vision. Nevertheless, dry eyes are a common side effect after laser eye surgeries such as LASIK or PRK and occur because the lacrimal gland temporarily stops working while your eyes heal. As such, patients are given eye drops to use until their eyes are healed and tear film production resumes.
Hormone changes
While they are vitally important for certain functions, our hormones can play havoc with our bodies. Estrogen is essential for your lacrimal gland to work effectively. However, if your estrogen levels suddenly drop, such as when you enter menopause, you may find that tear film production is compromised, and you begin to develop dry eye disease.
Medication side effects
All medications have side effects. Some, including certain contraceptives and antihistamines, list dry eye disease amongst the side effects associated with their use. If you are unable to change which medications you take, you may need to speak to your eye doctor about using prescribed drops to keep your eyes comfortable.
Damage to your eyes
Accidents and injuries can occur at any time, and if you are unfortunate enough for your eyes to suffer trauma, you may also find that you develop dry eye disease. Dry eyes can also be temporary problem after elective surgery on the eyes, such as an eyelid lift.
If you are concerned that you may be suffering with dry eye disease, you don’t need to live with the discomfort for a moment longer. Please contact our experienced and reassuring team who will be happy to assess your eyes and offer their advice and support.
