Top 5 Causes of Chronic Dry Eye You Need to Learn About

Dry eye syndrome is characterized by redness in the eyes, stinging, or a gritty sensation in the eyes. There are a lot of people who experience dry eyes, but it gets better on its own with some precautions. However, chronic dry eye is more complicated than the temporary dry eye. Dry eye syndrome is caused when the tear glands fail to produce enough tears. This is why many people consider using a dry eye mask to get some relief.

Treating chronic dry eye is necessary, as ignoring it can lead to severe complications - from double vision to infections. You can take help from some home remedies, over-the-counter medications, or prescribed eye drops to get relief from the symptoms of dry eye. In fact, a dry eye heat mask can also be beneficial.

But what causes this dry eye syndrome? In this article, you will get the answer to this question. Here are the top 5 causes of dry eye syndrome.

1. Aging

One of the most common reasons for chronic dry eye is growing age. While any person of any age can have dry eyes, this syndrome becomes more common with the older age group. As we grow older, the production of tears in our eyes begins to decline. This is especially true for people over the age of 50. But by using artificial tears on a regular basis, you can prevent this type of dry eye. Artificial tears can provide an extra coat of lubrication to the eyes that provide relief from dryness.

2. Using the computer too much

The world is going digital, which means most of us have to work on a computer daily. This can cause strain on the eyes and tension headaches. Along with this, staring at a computer screen for long periods can affect the production of tears in your eyes. This leads to dry eyes.

People who have to sit in front of a computer screen for long tend to blink less often. That is, the tears produced in their eyes evaporate very quickly. So, remember to keep blinking more often when you are working at a computer screen. You can also use a warm eye mask for dry eyes at night to get some relief.

3. Deficiency of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is extremely beneficial for your eyes. That is why it is always recommended to eat foods that are rich in vitamin A, such as eggs, carrots, spinach, peppers, broccoli, and fish. But if your diet is low in vitamin A, it can lead to dry eye syndrome and other vision problems as well. You can go for a blood test to check whether you have vitamin A deficiency or not. 

4. Certain medications

Tears are made of water, mucus, and oil. But certain medications can reduce the production of mucus, which can lead to chronic dry eye. Antidepressants and beta-blockers used for treating hypertension are the common medications that may cause dry eye. If you are experiencing dryness in your eyes because of certain medications, you must talk to your doctor.

5. Exposure to the wind

Your tears can evaporate very quickly because of the cold climates and high winds. This can lead to dry eye syndrome. So, you should wear glasses and use lubricating eye drops to protect your eyes from the wind and cold.

So, these were the top 5 causes for dry eyes. By understanding these causes, you can take measures to prevent eye dryness. You must see a doctor when it becomes necessary.