Dry Eyes, is a condition many people confront. It is caused when the tears produced by the eyes are insufficient in moisture, lubrication, and other features that help keep the eyes remain protected. People with dry eyes often feel discomfort in a variety of forms including irritation, inflammation, or the feeling of something in the eye. People with Chronic Dry Eyes have a decrease in the amount of tear creation due to obstruction or just a minimization in tears. People with chronic dry eyes tend to have the discomfortable feelings and symptoms for a longer period of time where as dry eyes for a person who works on a computer frequently maybe more short term.
How Do Tears Prevent Dry Eyes?Tears are a major protective agent for the eyes. Tears not only wash away dust from the eyes, but also soothe the eyes, provide oxygen and nutrients to the cornea, as well as help defend against eye infections by removing microorganisms that can colonize in the eyes. Tears are of composed of three distinctive layers. The outer lipid section consists of an oily film that counters evaporation and keeps the eye moistened. The middle region is made of mostly water that moisturizes the eyes and some nutrients and proteins that assist in limiting eye infections. The inner coating contains mucous that allows the tear film to spread and reduces evaporation from the eye.
What is the Cause of Dry Eyes?A common cause is aging. As we age we create less productive tears which means less moisturization to the eyes. Women approaching menopause especially face dry eyes due to the increase in hormones. Another factor is that some people are not able to generate as much natural tears as needed whether it be from aging, blockage of tear ducts, or from medication that leads to less yielding of tears. This problem oftentimes leads to chronic dry eyes as the person is not able to manufacture tears and the eyes are not sufficiently lubricated. Environmental factors can also play a factor in eyes drying up. Examples include dusty air, dry or windy weather, or fumes like cigarette smoke which can evaporate tears much speedily or hamper their effectiveness. Contact lens wearers usually experience dry eyes because they contacts seems to work against moisturization. People who watch TV, use a laptop, or sew for a longer duration may cause eye strain and dry eyes. This is due to straining of the eyes and infrequent blinking and tear formulation. A deficiency in vitamin A, some medications, and some diseases may also lead to dry eyes. Inadequate sleep or insomnia can also cause dry eyes
Dry Eyes Symptoms• Unpleasantness in the eyes or a feeling of presence of foreign object in the eyes is a symptom.
• Itchiness, Redness, and excessive tearing without relief can all occur
• Discomfort after periods of eye strain like watching tv, reading, data processing, sewing, etc are possible occurrences.
Thing to do if have Dry Eyes occurs Primarily strenuous activities on the eyes often require a break or lots of blinking to bolster the prevention of dry eyes.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the body moisturized.
• Minimize periods in certain weather conditions like windy and dry weather.
• Protect the eyes from harsh weather conditions like wind and dust.
• Make sure medication is not causing dry eyes.
• Eat healthy food containing eye nutrients especially with vitamin A, C, and E and if need be take supplements containing flax seed and Omega-3 fatty acids.
• When watching tv, using the computer or other eye straining activities, take frequent breaks and blink often.
• People who wear contact lenses should take them out and keep eyes well hydrated.
• Get plenty of sleep to keep eyes healthy
Source:
http://www.eyecaresource.com/images/dry-eyes.jpg
