What Is Dry Eye Disease?

Your eyes produce tears in order to lubricate the eyes. The tears are a combination of water, oils, antibodies and mucus. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, then you have a condition called dry eye disease. You may also notice other symptoms, such as light sensitivity, a gritty feeling, redness, itching and a feeling like something is stuck in your eye.

What Can Cause Dry Eyes?

You can develop dry eyes if there is an imbalance in the tear-flow system. Your air conditioner and heater can cause your eyes to dry out. The following can also cause dry eyes.

  • The natural aging process. Women are more likely to develop dry eyes after menopause.
  • A side effect of certain drugs, such as anthistamines
  • There are certain foods that can increase the risk of dry eyes, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjorgen’s Syndrome.
  • Your eyelids do not close the way that it should.

How Can Dry Eyes Be Treated?

Artificial drops and ointments can be used to treat dry eyes. Lifitegrast ophthalmic is one of the artificial drops that you can use. They are designed to be used twice a day, 12 hours apart. Lifitegrast ophthalmic requires a doctor’s prescription. Your doctor will tell you how often you should use your eye drops.

If eye drops do not work, then you may have to get a temporary puncture occlusion. This is a procedure that closes the punctum, which is a duct that drains the tears. You may get a temporary plug that is designed to dissolve over time. However, you may have to get a permanent one. Your doctor will tell you which option is the best.

Lipiflow is another treatment that can be used. It is designed to unclog the blocked glands in your eyes. It will keep the tears from evaporating.

How You Can Prevent Dry Eyes

There are a few things that you can do in order to prevent dry eyes. You can use a humidifier in order to increase the moisture in the air. You will also need to take breaks when you are working at your computer for several hours.

You will need to take a break every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds. Look at something that is at least 20 feet away. Additionally, if you are a smoker, then it is a good idea for you to quit. Smoking has a tendency to dry out your eyes.

If you have a history of dry eyes, then you may have to use artificial tears on a regular basis.