What Are the Common Causes of Dry Eyes?

Did you know that as many as 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye symptoms?

If you’ve been having issues with your eyes, you might be wondering what you can do to get some relief. Before you can treat your dry eye, you’ll need to determine what’s causing it.

So what are the causes of dry eyes exactly? Keep reading for 7 potential factors.

1. Aging

As we get older, it’s normal for our eyes to stop producing as many tears. Women are more susceptible to dry eye after menopause because their bodies’ hormones can get unbalanced. One common and effective dry eye treatment is Restasis Eye Drops (Cyclosporine), which can help your eyes produce more tears to stay lubricated.

2. Looking at Screens a Lot

Another one of the top dry eye causes is spending too much time staring at screens. While screens aren’t necessarily dangerous to your eyes, it’s important to give your eyes breaks every 20 minutes by looking off into the distance for at least 20 seconds. You can also shop for blue light glasses that can shield your eyes from this artificial light.

3. Taking Certain Medications

While we take medications with the hopes of curing some conditions, the side effects can lead to other problems. Antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics, and beta-blockers all have the potential to create eye inflammation.

4. Having an Autoimmune Disease

There are plenty of autoimmune diseases that can have a negative impact on your eyes, such as diabetes, arthritis, and lupus. The good news is that getting your autoimmune disease under control with medication and lifestyle changes can improve your eye symptoms soon.

5. Allergies

When pollen and other allergens get into our eyes, they can become red, puffy, and dry. Since many allergy medications contain antihistamines, this can also contribute to uncomfortable eye symptoms. If your eyes don’t feel better within a week or two, then it’s best to get in touch with your doctor.

6. Dry or Windy Climate

If you live in a climate that’s dry or windy, your eyes can feel crummy when you spend a lot of time outdoors. To help reduce these effects, you should get equipped with protective eyewear and start carrying around some eyedrops for those uncomfortable moments.

7. Recent Laser Eye Surgery

If you’ve recently undergone laser eye surgery, you might notice that your eyes feel drier than usual. It’s reassuring to know that you won’t have to worry about getting rid of dry eyes because this condition usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. Afterward, you can enjoy having improved vision.

Now You Know the Top Causes of Dry Eyes

Have you been wondering, “Why are my eyes dry?” Taking the time to learn about the causes of dry eyes can help you understand how to alleviate your symptoms and when it’s time to seek medical care.

Do you want to know other ways you can improve your overall health? Click around our blog before you go so you can gain access to more great wellness tips.