Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Dry Eyes on January 17, 2025
If your eyes constantly feel dry, itchy, or irritated, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome. This condition occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or produce low-quality tears that can’t adequately moisten the eye.
For patients seeking relief from these frustrating symptoms, understanding the cause of their condition is essential for selecting the best course of treatment. Keep reading to learn more about what the causes of dry eye syndrome are and the treatments available to you.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
A healthy tear film comprises three layers: an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer, and a mucus inner layer. If tears are missing any of these components, they can’t keep the eye lubricated, leading to dry eye syndrome.
Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- Dry, gritty, irritated eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- Red eyes
- Excessively watery eyes
- Mucus in or around the eyes
- Burning or stinging sensation in the eyes
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
There are many different causes of dry eye syndrome, including:
Decreased Tear Production
Decreased tear production is a common cause of dry eye syndrome. It is especially prevalent among older adults, as you produce fewer tears as you age.
Other causes of decreased tear production can include lacrimal gland inflammation, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and certain medications, including antihistamines.
If you aren’t making enough tears, your eye doctor may recommend Restasis, prescription eye drops that increase tear production.
Increased Tear Evaporation
Without sufficient oil, tears can’t stay on the surface of the eye long enough to keep them moist. Often, increased tear evaporation is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
When these glands become blocked or irritated, they are unable to produce the oily layer of tears. If you have MGD, your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest will likely recommend LipiFlow, a treatment that uses gentle heat and massage therapy to release blockages in the meibomian glands, restoring oil production.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones play a significant role in controlling tear production and maintaining the quality of the tear film. When women experience hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause, or while on birth control pills, it can lead to dry eye syndrome.
Men can also experience hormonal changes that impact tear production. Testosterone helps maintain tear production, which can be affected as testosterone levels naturally decrease with age.
Lifestyle Factors
People looking at electronic screens for extended periods may be more likely to develop dry eye syndrome. Staring at a screen reduces the frequency of blinking, which is when tear film lubricates the eye.
Living in a dry or windy climate can also cause dry eye syndrome. The air in these environments usually lacks moisture, which can contribute to faster tear evaporation.
To treat dry eye syndrome, your eye doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes, like limiting screen time or using a humidifier in dry environments.
Eye Conditions
Eye conditions that affect the eyelids can disrupt the normal spread of tears over the eye surface and cause dry eye syndrome. These conditions include ectropion, in which the lower eyelids turn out, and entropion, in which the eyelids turn inward.
Issues with the tear ducts can also cause dry eye syndrome. If tear ducts are blocked, they can drain too much, depriving the eyes of lubrication.
Contact Lens Use
Wearing contact lenses, especially for extended periods, can contribute to dry eye syndrome. Contacts can dry out eyes by blocking oxygen flow to the cornea or rapidly absorbing tear film.
When wearing contact lenses, rewetting drops can help replenish lost moisture.
From decreased tear production to the overuse of contact lenses, there are numerous causes of dry eye syndrome. Identifying the exact cause of your dry eye syndrome can help you get proper treatment to alleviate your symptoms and protect the health of your eyes.
Get to the root of your dry eye syndrome when you schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!
