Is Having Dry Eyes Temporary?

If your eyes occasionally feel scratchy or burning, this may be a temporary situation if your dry eyes are caused by environmental factors. In many cases, however, dry eyes are due to a chronic condition called dry eye syndrome.

Keep reading to learn if dry eyes are temporary!

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Eye redness, a scratchy or gritty feeling, and blurry vision can be signs of dry eye syndrome. Wearing contacts can feel uncomfortable. 

You may notice strings of mucus in or around your eye. Or your eyes may tear up. All of these occur with dry eye syndrome. 

When your eyes are healthy, the right balance of moisture is maintained through your tears. They lubricate and nourish the eye and reduce the chance of eye infection. 

Glands in and around the eyelid help produce ingredients necessary for healthy tears. Each time you blink, a film of tears spreads over your eye. 

This tear film has three layers: oil, water, and mucus. If your tear production slows down or the layers aren’t balanced, your tears are less effective at protecting your eye, and dry eye can develop.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eyes?

You might feel stinging, burning, scratchiness, and irritation in your eyes, or even excessive tearing. You may also have blurred vision or be especially sensitive to wind or cigarette smoke.

What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?

A significant risk factor for dry eye syndrome is aging. Most people over sixty-five years of age have some symptoms of dry eye. 

However, women experience dry eye more frequently due to hormonal changes. Pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and menopause can all increase a woman’s likelihood of developing dry eye.

Other Causes of Dry Eye 

Certain Health Conditions

Health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, and lupus.

Certain Medications

Medications can affect tear production. They include antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and heartburn medications. 

Contact Lens Wear

Long periods of time wearing contact lenses can also cause dry eye syndrome.

Certain Eye Conditions

In some cases, eye conditions that affect the eyelid can cause dry eye symptoms. These include blepharitis, which is eyelids that are swollen or red; entropion, which is when your eyelids turn in; and ectropion, which is eyelids that turn outward.

Too Much Screen Time

Activities in which you focus on a screen can dry out your eyes. In this situation, your blinking rate is reduced, which means your eyes dry out faster, increasing dry eye symptoms. 

Previous Eye Surgery

Certain eye procedures, like refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK, can cause dry eye.

Environmental Conditions

Environmental conditions, including smoke and wind exposure or living in a very dry climate, can exacerbate dry eye symptoms. If you work or sit near an air vent or fan or spend time in a workplace or home with low humidity, dry eye can result. 

Seasonal or ongoing allergies also contribute to dry eye. 

How Is Dry Eye Diagnosed?

A comprehensive eye exam done by your ophthalmologist is an important first step. They will look at the condition of your eyelids, the surface of your eye, and see how you blink. Other tests may be given based on their findings. 

How to Ease the Discomfort of Temporary Dry Eye

If you only experience dry eye now and then and it’s not a chronic condition, you can try some at-home remedies to help your eyes feel better. Drink plenty of water, take fish oil supplements or flaxseed, and use artificial tear drops or ointments to lubricate your eye.

If you’re not getting any relief taking the steps outlined above, let your ophthalmologist at Mid Ohio Eye know about your symptoms so they can work with you to find lasting solutions to your dry eye problems.

Do you want to learn how you can get rid of your dry eye symptoms? Schedule a dry eye appointment at Mid Ohio Eye in Columbus, OH, today!