subject: How To Get Rid Of Dry Eyes [print this page] Are your eyes itchy, uncomfortable, and dry? Check your eyes in the mirror. Do you notice redness and blurring of vision? If you answered 'yes' to these questions, you could be suffering from a condition called keratitis sicca, or what is commonly known as dry eyes.
Tears are there for good reason. They help moisturise and lubricate the eyes on a regular basis for comfortable and clear eyesight. The secretion of tears is through the many glands located in the eye area but when there is imbalance in production and secretion of tears, this results in dry eyes. To answer the question of how one can get rid of this problem, it is necessary to first understand what factors can trigger this condition.
There are several reasons why this condition develops. One of the common trigger factors is age. The older we get, the slower the eye glands produce tears, which is similar for most of our bodily functions. Another factor is the use of medications; antihistamines and birth control pills, for example, can cause certain side effects including the aforementioned condition.
Diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's disease are also linked to it. Lifestyle, such as cigarette smoking and staying up late can also cause it, as well as environmental factors like exposure to wind and dust particles. Women undergoing hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy may also experience this eye condition. Lastly, spending too much time in front of the computer monitor can cause strain to the eyes and may trigger eye dryness, too.
Now that you know the common causes of this condition, the next step is to address the problem and figure out how it can be treated. Aging is a natural process which cannot be avoided or reversed so the best way of treating the eye condition caused by aging is through maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle; doing so does not eliminate the condition but it does keep it at minimum.
As for the second cause which is the use of medications, you may request another prescription from your doctor if the drying of your eyes really bothers you a lot. Take note that medications are given to help treat your health concerns so you cannot just stop taking them to prevent your eyes from drying. Your doctor may prescribe you with eye drops and ointments to treat it, especially if you are diagnosed with certain diseases that may be the reason for your eye condition.
Lifestyle changes are necessary if your current lifestyle activities are tagged as the cause. On the other hand, if it is eye strain and computer use that is causing it, you should limit your time on the PC as much as possible, or at least take breaks every now and then.
Dry eyes syndrome is something you would not want to deal with because the longer you have it, the more uncomfortable your situation will be. You would have to bear the burning and stinging sensation all day, and worse, your eyes would produce unsightly discharges which can be embarrassing especially when you are in the workplace. Get rid of the condition through preventive measures and treatment options.
