Here are the Most Common Causes of Dry Eyes and its Treatment Options
Tears are a mixture of fatty oils, water, and mucus. It helps in keeping the surface of the eyes smooth and clear, which further helps in protecting the eyes from infection. With age, the tendency to produce tears reduces in both, men and women. This could be due to hormonal changes. Dry eyes are common in women who have gone through menopause.
One of the most common causes that decrease tear production is increased tear evaporation and an imbalance in the make of tears.
One of the common causes of dry eyes is that it is unable to produce enough tears.
Medically, this condition is called as keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It could be due to aging, medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorders, or simply due to vitamin A deficiency. Some of the common causes of dry eyes are as follows:
- There are certain medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressant drugs, and hormone replacement therapy that can contribute to being some of the common causes of dry eyes.
- Parkinson’s disease can also cause dry eyes.
- Tear gland damage and laser eye surgery can also bring about dry eyes. But because it is a surgical procedure, the symptom can be temporary.
People experiencing these symptoms of dry eyes should consult an eye care professional that would guide them to know the causes of dry eyes and give a treatment strategy. Some of these treatments are listed below:
- Over-the-counter medications
Dry eye symptoms that are mild may be treated with over-the-counter topical medications like artificial tears, gels, etc. Dry eyes medications prescribed by the doctor. Medications like cyclosporine are medications that are strictly prescribed by the doctors. These medications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that treat the symptoms of dry eye. Topical medications such as corticosteroids eye drops can be prescribed by a doctor for a very short term to reduce inflammation caused due to dry eyes. - Change in medications
One of the causes of dry eyes could be the change of medications to alternative ones. Consult your physician if you are thinking to change your medication, as some medications can alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. - FDA approved devices
These devices stimulate Meibomian glands which produce tears. Thereby, providing temporary relief. - Punctal plugs
As a surgical option, these plugs made of silicone or collagen are inserted near the tear gland that will partially or completely plug the tear ducts helping the eyes to keep the tears from draining. If the condition is chronic, a surgical procedure to close the drainage ducts using thermal punctal cautery may be recommended which will close the tear ducts permanently. - Fatty acids
Fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 also help to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes. They can be taken in the form of supplements or from foods that are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. - Eyedrops containing castor oil
You can use castor oil to get relief from dry eyes. You can also consume them in the form of supplements or through foods that are rich in castor oil.There are some eyedrops that are added with some preservatives to prolong the shelf life. Using them on a long run can cause eye irritation. Non-preservative eye drops come in use and throw vials, so one can use the vials as per their need and then dispose of the vials.
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