What to Do About Dry Eyes

There’s help available for people who don’t have enough tears to keep their eyes as moist as they ought to be, says the Wyoming Optometric Association. Wyoming has a very dry environment, especially in the winter, which causes many people to suffer from dry eyes. Also causes such as certain diseases, vitamin A deficiency, or some drugs such as antihistamines, antidepressants and diuretics can cause discomfort from dry eyes.

Symptoms of dry eye include: red irritated scratchy eyes. Burning sensation, feeling that something is in the eye, blurred vision, or eyes that have lost their normal clear, glassy luster. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms needs to see their eye care professional to evaluate the quality, amount and distribution of tears. The optometrist also needs to know about the person’s daily activities and general health, as well as about medications being taken and environmental factors to which the person is exposed at work or at home.

Sometimes relief is as simple as learning to blink more often; changing environmental factors such as level of humidity in the home; or using artificial tears or moisturizing ointments.

In some cases, small plugs are inserted in the corner of the eyes to slow drainage and loss of tears. Some people with severely dry eyes include persons’ with Sjogren’s syndrome, which is eye and mouth dryness caused by an immune system attack on the salivary and tear glands.

If the underlying cause of the dry eye condition is a general health problem or due to medication being taken, the eye doctor will refer the person to the proper health professional for care, the WOA says.