Dry Hurting Eyes

Dry eye is a condition in which the eye’s aptitude to manufacture tears breaks down. Tears play a significant function in moistening, caring, and cleansing the eye. They are essential for good corneal health. They also support contact lenses.

 

When tear manufacture is exaggerated, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

 

Irritation

Stinging or burning

Foreign-body sensation

Grittiness

Redness

Photophobia

Decreased clarity of vision

 

The symptoms worsen as the day progresses and they are exacerbated under dry conditions.

 

The natural tears that your eyes produce are composed of three layers:

The outer oily layer, which prevents or slows evaporation of the tear film

The middle watery layer, which moisturizes and nourishes the front surface of the eye

The inner mucus layer, which helps maintain a stable tear film

 

Dry eye may occur because the amount of tears produced is inadequate. Or it may result because the composition of the tears has changed, and so they are unstable and evaporate more quickly.

 

Dry eye is a common syndrome, and the risk increases with age. Exposure to environmental conditions can typically spur temporary dry-eye symptoms. The following situations may all contribute to temporary dry eye symptoms:

 

Viewing a computer screen, because people tend to blink less

Being exposed to an indoor heating system, this tends to dry the air

Skiing, due to dryer air and wind .

 

Traveling on airplanes, due to dry re-circulated air

Using some medications, such as antihistamines, oral contraceptives, or antidepressants

 

Sustaining chemical or thermal burns to the eye

Dry eye may also be symptomatic of general health problems.

 

Excessive dryness can damage eye tissue and possibly scar the cornea of your eye, impairing vision. Dry eye can also make it more difficult to wear contact lenses because tears may be inadequate to keep the lenses wet and lubricated. This can lead to irritation and a greater chance of eye infection.