How Dry I Am: Dry Eye Causes By Walter Choate on March 05, 2015

At some point in their lives, most people will experience dry eye syndrome to some degree. For most people, it is a temporary condition, one that can be alleviated by drinking more fluids or through the use of artificial tears. Unfortunately, for some others, it is a chronic condition, one that affects their lives from the moment they wake to the moment they fall asleep at night. Dry eye syndrome can make every task they perform more difficult, from leisure activities such as watching television or enjoying a simple face-to-face conversation with a loved one to such necessary daily tasks as using a computer at work and driving.

Thankfully, there are a number of effective solutions to chronic dry eye syndrome; however, finding the right solution depends on arriving at an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the condition. At Choate Eye Associates in Nashville, dry eye causes of all types are carefully taken into account as we evaluate patients with the condition so that we can prescribe the most beneficial and efficient treatment plan possible.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of dry eye, we urge you to schedule an appointment with our renowned eye care experts today.

Does dry eye produce any symptoms besides dry eyes?

This is actually a very common question among our patients. As stated above, most people experience dryness of the eyes from time to time. How can you tell whether you suffer from a chronic condition? If you have persistently dry eyes from which you cannot find relief, then you should seek treatment immediately, especially if you are also experiencing any of the following additional symptoms:

Redness, burning, or stinging
A feeling as though you have a foreign object in your eyes
You constantly feel as though your eyelids are heavy
Blurred vision
Light sensitivity
Lack of tolerance for dry environments
Mucus-like discharge from the eyes
Lack of tears, even when crying

Identifying the exact symptoms can help our experts to hone in on the cause or causes of your dry eye syndrome.

What are the most common causes of dry eye syndrome?

There are many possible causes of dry eye syndrome, but these are among the most common:

Aging: As we age, our eyes tend to produce fewer tears, especially once we reach the age of 50.
Inflammation: Inflammation of the eye, especially of the lacrimal glands or conjunctiva, can cause dry eye.
Menopause: The hormone changes that accompany menopause can lead to decreased tear production.
Laser eye surgery: One of the most common side effects of LASIK, PRK, and other forms of laser eye surgery is temporary dry eye. Usually, this condition subsides on its own within a few weeks.
Some diseases and medications: Diseases such as diabetes and lupus and medications such as allergy medicines and antidepressants can cause dry eye.
Environmental factors: If you live in a dry, hot, or windy environment, dry eye is possible, especially if you do not use eye protection.