Common Reasons Why You May Have Chronically Dry Eyes

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"text": " rnrnDo your eyes constantly feel itchy, irritated or gritty? The problem may be dry eye, a condition that occurs when your eyes cannot maintain a healthy layer of tears. According to a report published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, more than 16 million Americans experience the same uncomfortable symptoms of dry eye.rnrnRelief is available with Mark Mandel, MD, who is trained to diagnose and treat dry eye. The treatment solution he recommends will depend on your particular case and the underlying cause. Read on to learn more about what could be to blame for your dry eyes.rn

Your Age

rnDry eye disease becomes more common with age as natural tear production decreases. If you are over the age of 65, you are more likely to develop dry eye symptoms.rn

Pre-existing Health Conditions

rnA history of systemic conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, rosacea and thyroid disorders increases the chances of dry eye.rn

Medications You Take

rnIf you take medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics and beta-blockers, they could be affecting your tear production. Birth control pills and sleeping pills are also associated with dry eyes.rn

Spending Lots of Time Using a Computer or Smartphone

rnWorking on a computer or scrolling through your smartphone or tablet for prolonged periods of time are visually intensive tasks that slow down your natural blink rate. As a result, tears may evaporate off the surface of your eyes more quickly and your eyes may become dry.rn

Going Through Menopause

rnAccording to the American Journal of Ophthalmology report, twice as many women have been diagnosed with dry eye than men. Many of these women develop dry eye as a result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause.rn

Exposure to Dry or Windy Climates

rnEnvironmental conditions such as dry, windy climates can cause tears to evaporate from your ocular surface rapidly. If you are regularly exposed to smoke or secondhand smoke, it may cause or contribute to your dry eye problems.rn

Low-Humidity Environments

rnA lack of moisture in the air can affect your sensitive eyes. Running heat or air conditioning inside your home excessively can increase the evaporation of your tears, as can spending time in low-humidity environments like airplanes and hospitals.rn

Eyelid Abnormalities

rnAbnormalities of the eyelids, such as entropion (when the eyelids turn inward) and ectropion (when the eyelids turn outward) have been linked to dry eye symptoms. Disorders that prevent eyelids from completely closing during sleep can also cause dry eyes.rn

Get Professional Help for Dry Eyes

rnSometimes simple tweaks — like using a humidifier in your home, decreasing screen time and stopping medications known to reduce tear production — help resolve dry eye symptoms. But it is best to consult with a doctor like Mark Mandel, MD, who can determine the underlying cause of your problems and recommend a safe, effective course of action.rnrnTo request an appointment with Mark Mandel, MD, please call 510-886-3937 ext. 3 today.”,
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