Dry eyes, or the dry eye syndrome, is a condition caused due to insufficient tears on the surface of the eye. This lack of tears leads to inadequate lubrication and nourishment of the eyes.

This condition can cause a wide range of issues ranging from slight irritation to inflammation of the eyes. It is a chronic problem that is common among adults.

What causes dry eyes?
The human eye needs tears to provide lubrication and protection from infections. Dry eyes arise when there are insufficient tears or when the tears secreted are of poor quality. This lack of tears can be caused due to

• Age
  Dry eyes is a common condition among adults. Most people who are above 65 years of age suffer from this condition.
• Medication
  Certain medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, contraceptives, and blood thinners can reduce tear production.
• Medical conditions
  The ability to produce tears can be affected by conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Surgery
  Laser eye surgery can temporarily cause dry eyes
• Damage
  Damage to the tear glands due to inflammation and radiation may lead to insufficient production of tears and cause dry eyes

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?
Some of the symptoms that one may experience in the eyes are

• Burning sensation
• Gritty feeling
• Itchiness
• Swelling
• Soreness
• Light sensitivity
• Redness
• Blinking too less or too often

What are the risk factors of dry eyes?
Certain risk factors can increase the possibility of experiencing dry eyes, such as

• Women, especially those in their postmenopausal stage, are more likely to be affected by dry eyes
• Following a diet that is low in Vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acids
• Being exposed to dry or windy climates
• Wearing contact lenses all day
• Smoking

How are dry eyes diagnosed?
The symptoms for dry eyes occur differently in each patient; hence, they aren’t fully reliable. Only specialists such as optometrists and ophthalmologists will be able to diagnose the condition on careful examination. They diagnose the condition by

• Analyzing the patient’s overall medical history
• Measuring the volume of tear production
• Tested the quality of tears by using special eye drops

How to treat dry eyes?
Dry eyes can be treated through various options, such as

• Artificial tears
  People with mild symptoms will be prescribed over-the-counter artificial tear solutions.
• Medication
  Specific medications may be prescribed with respect to the symptoms. The purpose of these medications may be to stimulate tears or to reduce the inflammation of the eyelids and corneas.
• Treating the underlying cause
  In certain cases, treating the underlying causes and symptoms may resolve the issue.
• Conserving tears
  Tears ducts may be closed completely or partially to prevent severe draining. This can be done by using tiny silicone plugs to plug the ducts, or through Thermal Cautery.
• Unblocking oil glands
  Dry eyes can sometimes be caused by blocked oil glands. A minor procedure called LipiFlow thermal pulsation is performed to unblock the oil glands. They can also be unblocked by warm compresses and eyelid washing.