What’s Really Causing My Dry Eyes?
Have you ever experienced a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes? These symptoms can often indicate that your eyes are dry.
The first step to improving these symptoms is determining why your eyes are dry. Keep reading to learn more about what could really be causing your dry eyes!
Cause #1: Your Environment
Even the healthiest eyes can experience dryness in certain conditions. If you notice your symptoms worsening when you are in a particular environment, external factors could be contributing to your dry eye.
Dust, smoke, wind, and very hot or cold weather can all lead to irritation in your eyes. The air outside can be full of potential irritants that can cause dry eye symptoms in some people.
At home, the dry air emitted by your heating or air conditioning system can reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Your eyes rely on the humidity in the air to help keep the front surface moist and lubricated.
If the air in your home is too dry, you may begin to exhibit dry eye symptoms. Adding a humidifier or reducing your use of overhead ceiling fans may help ease your symptoms.
Cause #2: Too Much Computer Time
Do you spend a lot of time using a computer, whether for work, fun, or both? Extended screen time could be the cause of your dry eye symptoms.
When looking at screens like your computer or smartphone, the constant straining can be harsh on your eyes. You may not realize it, but you also naturally blink less when looking at a screen.
It is important to give your eyes regular breaks from the screen to avoid your eyes becoming dry. Your eye doctor may also recommend blinking exercises to help your eyes stay lubricated when working on the computer for extended periods of time.
Cause #3: Not Drinking Enough Water
When you’re not adequately hydrated, your entire body feels the effects.
Water is an essential component of a tear.
In order to avoid dry eye from lack of hydration, try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Without enough water levels in the body, the eye cannot provide enough tears to keep it healthy.
Dehydration can make your eyes more susceptible to bacteria and infection. Lack of water in the body can cause dryness, irritation, and a sandy or gritty feeling in the eyes.
Cause #4: Not Eating a Nutritious Diet
Did you know that what you eat can affect the moisture in your eyes? Both vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy tear production.
Omega-3s can help contribute to the oil that makes up a portion of your tears. Fish such as salmon, trout, and tuna are packed with this kind of fatty acid.
Green, leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds are also excellent sources of nutrition that will help your eyes produce good quality tears. If you are experiencing dry eye, it may be a good idea to consider adding more of these to your diet.
Vitamin A deficiency has also been associated with dry eye. You can find this vitamin in fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe.
A well-rounded diet helps ensure your eyes have what they need to maintain moisture. Making all these lifestyle changes will not cure dry eye symptoms in some cases.
The best way to determine the root of your dry eye symptoms is to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They can help figure out what is causing your dry eye and give you a treatment plan to improve your symptoms.
Are you interested in learning more about what could be causing your dry eye? Schedule an appointment at Ginsberg Eye in Naples, FL, today!
