Causes of dry eyes: what you need to know

Have you ever felt sand in your eyes? This could indicate dry eye. Dry eye syndrome affects many people, but its causes are often unknown. Let's explore this phenomenon to better understand its impact on our visual comfort.

Dry eyes occur when the eyes don't produce enough tears, or when they evaporate quickly. This causes discomfort, ranging from a slight stinging sensation to burning. Causes include aging and modern lifestyles.

Recent studies show that over a third of adults are affected by dry eye after the age of 50. Exposure to screens, hormonal changes and certain diseases such as diabetes increase the risk. Understanding these factors is essential to preventing and treating this syndrome.

Key points to remember

• Dry eyes affect more than one in three adults over the age of 50
• Prolonged use of screens is a major risk factor
• Hormonal changes can trigger symptoms
• Certain chronic diseases are associated with dry eyes
• Regular breaks and blinking help prevent the problem.
• Artificial tears are a common over-the-counter treatment.

Understanding dry eyes

Dry eyes affect many people. To better understand it, let's look at its causes, its definition and why the tear film is important for our eyes.

Definition of dry eye

Dry eyes happen when our eyes don't make enough tears, or when they evaporate quickly. This can cause discomfort, red eyes and blurred vision. Around 30% of Canadians have this problem, which shows how important it is.

Tear film composition

The tear film is crucial for our eyes. It has three layers:

• Lipid layer: protects against evaporation
• Aqueous layer: moisturizes and nourishes the eye
• Mucin layer: helps distribute tears evenly

The importance of tears for eye health

The lacrimal glands produce essential tears for our eyes. They lubricate, protect against infection and moisturize the cornea. Tears contain water, salt, oil, glucose and protein. Blinking distributes these elements evenly.

A well-functioning lacrimal system is crucial. It helps prevent dry eyes and ensures clear, comfortable vision.

Prevalence and impact of dry eyes

Dry eyes affect more than one in three Canadians. It is a major reason for consultation in optometry and ophthalmology. Women, especially after menopause, are more affected.

This condition affects quality of life. Symptoms can interfere with everyday activities and impair vision. Environmental factors and lifestyle habits play a role in its prevalence and severity.

Preventing or alleviating dry eyes requires good habits. Eyelids must be cleansed, irritants avoided and breaks taken when using screens. In the event of persistent problems, consulting an optometrist is essential.

Here's what causes dry eyes

The causes of dry eyes are diverse and can affect different people in different ways. Understanding these factors is crucial to avoiding and managing this unpleasant condition.

Age and gender factors

Aging is a major factor in dry eyes. With age, tear production declines, increasing the risk of dryness. Women, especially after menopause, are more at risk due to hormonal changes.

Environmental conditions

The environment can strongly influence eye health. Air-conditioned spaces, windy areas and atmospheric pollution are all risk factors. These conditions accelerate tear evaporation, upsetting the eye's natural balance.

Modern lifestyle habits

Our current lifestyles play a role in dry eyes. Prolonged use of screens reduces blinking frequency, promoting tear evaporation. Wearing contact lenses can also disrupt the natural tear layer.

Diseases and medical conditions

Some autoimmune diseases, such as Gougerot-Sjögren's syndrome, cause dry eyes. Antidepressants or antihistamines can also reduce tear production. Laser refractive surgery can cause temporary or permanent dry eyes.

Understanding these risk factors is essential to taking good care of your eyes. A consultation with an ophthalmologist can help identify specific causes and develop a suitable treatment plan.

Signs and symptoms of dry eyes

Dry eyes cause symptoms such as a burning sensation or a foreign body in the eye. These symptoms can make looking at the eye uncomfortable. Those affected may also experience persistent itching.

Eye irritation is a typical sign. It causes visible redness and constant discomfort. The eyes produce reflex tears to compensate for the lack of lubrication.

Eye fatigue often worsens at the end of the day, or during concentrated activities. This includes reading or working at a computer screen. Blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light are also possible.

Dry eye symptoms vary in intensity and frequency. Some may experience mild discomfort, while others may suffer more severe pain. This can affect their quality of life.

Recognizing these signs early is crucial. It allows early treatment and prevents symptoms from worsening. It's essential for keeping eyes healthy.

Types of dry eye

Dry eye is a complex problem with many different forms. It is important to understand these types in order to treat them more effectively.

Aqueous layer deficiency

This type of dryness is characterized by insufficient tear production. The lacrimal glands do not produce enough liquid. This causes a sensation of burning and irritation.

Lipid layer deficiency

The deficit in the lipid layer comes from the Meibomius glands. These glands do not produce enough lipids. These lipids prevent the rapid evaporation of tears. Without them, eyes dry out quickly, even with normal tear production.

Mixed type

The mixed type combines the two previous types. It is the most common form of dry eye. It is characterized by insufficient tear production and excessive evaporation. This type often requires more complex treatment.

Each type of dry eye needs its own specific treatment. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to choosing the best treatment. This helps relieve symptoms effectively.

Aggravating risk factors

Women are more affected by these factors. At menopause, which arrives on average at the age of 51, 60% of women experience dry eyes. It's often the second most common symptom after hot flushes. Women over 50 are twice as likely to suffer from this problem.

• Prolonged use of screens
• Wearing contact lenses
• Dry or windy environments
• Certain chronic illnesses
• Sleep deprivation
• Stress and anxiety

Impact of the pandemic on eye health

The pandemic has changed our habits, affecting our vision. Containment measures have had an impact on our eye health.

Increased use of screens

Screens have become essential for working, learning and having fun. This overuse causes eye problems.

Computer vision syndrome is more common. Symptoms include eyestrain and blurred vision. To avoid it, look 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.

Effects of wearing a mask

Prolonged masking affects our eyes. Exhaled air travels to the eyes, drying out tears. This can worsen dry eyes.

• Use artificial tears to moisturize your eyes
• Adjust your mask to minimize airflow to the eyes
• Take regular mask-free breaks whenever possible

The pandemic underlines the importance of taking care of our eyes. In the event of persistent symptoms, consulting a professional is crucial.

Preventing dry eyes

Taking care of your eyes is crucial to their health. Here are some tips on how to avoid dry eyes and stay comfortable.

Good eye hygiene is essential. Be sure to wash your hands often. Clean your eyelids with an appropriate product. If you wear contact lenses, follow your optometrist's advice.

The 20-20-20 rule is useful: look at a point 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds. This reduces eye fatigue and encourages blinking, which is important for tear production.

• Avoid areas that are too dry or windy
• Wear sunglasses
• Use a humidifier

One study has shown that sea buckthorn oil can help with dry eyes. Taking omega-3 and antioxidants is also good for the eyes.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of dry eyes. This will improve your visual comfort every day.

Available treatments for dry eyes

Dry eyes affect nearly a third of the population. Fortunately, there are several treatment options to relieve the symptoms. These options improve ocular comfort.

Artificial tears

Artificial tears are often the first recommended treatment. These lubricating drops moisturize the eyes. They also replace missing natural tears.

Different formulations are available. Light drops and thicker gels are available. Each offers prolonged hydration.

Prescription treatments

In more severe cases, your optometrist may prescribe topical anti-inflammatory medication.

Other treatment options

Hot therapy on the eyelids is effective. Apply warm compresses for 5 to 10 minutes. This unblocks the Meibomius glands.

Masks filled with ceramic beads are recommended for maintaining warmth. Massaging the eyelids can also stimulate tear production.

Increasing omega-3 in the diet can improve tear film quality. In some cases, the use of autologous serum or growth factor-rich plasma may be considered. ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) is a new approach to deep cleansing of the eyelids, improving tear production.

As each case of dry eye is unique, it's important to consult a healthcare professional. This will help determine the treatment best suited to your situation.

Tips for the safe use of eye care products

Using eye care products requires attention to keep your eyes healthy. Good hygiene is key to avoiding infections and keeping treatments working properly.

• Wash your hands before use
• Look at the expiration date
• Don't share your products with others
• The product must be disposed of one month after opening.
• Avoid touching your eyes with the tip of the bottle

Wait five minutes between applications of different products. Ointments or gels should be applied last. This allows the drops to penetrate well.

Talk to a healthcare professional to choose the right product and learn how to use it properly. This is crucial for children or if you have specific eye problems.

When to consult a healthcare professional

Dry eyes can really ruin your life. If you have symptoms that last, it's important to know when to see a specialist. A visit to an optometrist is necessary if artificial tears don't help.

• Constant burning or itching sensation
• Blurred vision that does not improve
• Persistent eye redness
• Intense eye fatigue
• Increased light sensitivity

A health care professional can do an examination to find the cause of your symptoms. He or she can test to see if you have enough tears.

Don't wait for the situation to worsen. Early medical consultation can prevent future complications and improve your daily visual comfort.

Dry eyes affect between 5% and 30% of the population, especially women. An accurate diagnosis will help find the best treatment for you, whether it's for hormonal changes or environmental factors.

The importance of a comprehensive assessment

A thorough eye evaluation is essential to properly diagnose dry eye. An eye health professional uses advanced methods to examine your vision.

Diagnosis requires several specific tests. Meibography examines the glands that produce tear oil. Lipid analysis and blink tests help to understand the symptoms.

Dry eyes affect around 30% of people. 86% of patients have meibomian gland dystrophy. This shows the importance of a detailed examination to find the cause.

After assessment, a treatment plan is created. This may include the use of artificial oils or gels. Sometimes, stronger treatments such as IPL or iLux are required. Prompt action is crucial to controlling symptoms.

Conclusion

Managing dry eyes is very important for good health. A study has shown the importance of good sleep and the use of eye lubricants. These practices help reduce symptoms.

30% of people suffer from eye discomfort due to dry eyes. 85% of patients require medical treatment. Prolonged use of screens, more than 5 hours a day, increases the risk.

Modern technologies offer new solutions, such as iLux and intense pulsed light. For severe cases, scleral lenses are available. To keep your eyes healthy, it's vital to consult a professional on a regular basis.