Top 5 Causes of Dry Eye
Do your eyes feel like they are itching, stinging, or burning? Do you have water or stringy mucus around your eyes? Are your eyes frequently bloodshot or sensitive to light? You might have dry eye. This is a fairly common condition, especially among older adults. Dry eye happens when your eyes aren't getting enough lubrication through tear production. While it isn't always a serious condition, it can hint toward poor eye health.
What Causes Dry Eye
1. Age-related deterioration. The aging process tends to result in poorer health overall throughout the body. Older adults are especially prone to eye health problems, with dry eye being among those problems.
2. Eye disease. There are a number of diseases that can result in dry eye, from Sjogren's syndrome to rheumatoid arthritis. In order to detect these diseases early on, you can visit your local eye doctor to do some tests.
3. Surgery. Laser eye surgery can leave your eyes vulnerable during the recovery stage. The feeling of dry eyes is a common feature in the aftermath of a surgery.
4. Medication. Certain hormone replacements, antidepressants, birth control pills, decongestants, antihistamines, and blood control medications can lead to the sensation of dry eyes.
5. Environmental factors. If you live in a dry, smoky, or windy climate, you are more likely to develop dry eyes. This condition is also more common among those who stare at computer screens for prolonged periods of time. Allergies are another environmental factor that can lead to dry eye.
How Optometry Fixes Dry Eye
Visiting an eye doctor is the best way to determine the cause of dry eye. If you live in Fair Oaks, CA, then Swan Family Optometry can help you with dry eye care. Our services include eye examination, diagnosing, and then treatment of conditions like dry eye. We're also capable of providing care for computer vision, eye allergies, and more. Call 916-966-6080 for more information about our dry eye care.