Are your eyes constantly dry and irritated? Dry eye is more than just an annoying sensation—it can significantly impact your daily life, causing discomfort and vision problems. In some cases, dry eye can even be a symptom of an underlying health issue. Learn about some common medical conditions that can lead to dry eye and what you can do to find relief.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus can contribute to dry eyes. These conditions make your immune system attack your body, including the glands that produce tears. When your tear production is compromised, your eyes can’t stay properly lubricated, leading to chronic dryness.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop dry eyes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves that control tear production, resulting in decreased tear production and dry eyes. Keeping your blood sugar levels in check can help manage dry eye symptoms.
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid issues, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can affect your tear production. These disorders affect your thyroid gland’s hormone production, which in turn impacts your tear production, leading to dry, irritated eyes.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women, can also cause dryness and discomfort. Menopause, pregnancy, and the use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can all lead to dry eyes. Hormones play a big role in maintaining the health of your eye’s surface, so any imbalance can cause problems.
Allergies
Chronic allergies and the medications used to treat them can dry out your eyes. Allergic reactions cause inflammation and reduce the tear film’s stability. Additionally, antihistamines, which are commonly used to manage allergy symptoms, can decrease tear production.
Medications
Certain medications used to treat health conditions can cause dry eyes as a side effect. Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications are just a few examples. These drugs can reduce tear production or alter the composition of your tears. If you’re taking any of these medications and notice vision changes or experience discomfort, be sure to mention it to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication that doesn’t have the same drying effects.
Skin conditions
Skin conditions like rosacea can also affect your eyes. Ocular rosacea can cause inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) and disrupt the function of the meibomian glands, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy tear film.
Neurological conditions
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis can impair the nerves responsible for tear production and blinking. When blinking is reduced or the nerves are damaged, tear distribution across the eye surface is compromised, leading to dryness.
Meibomian dysfunction
Issues with the meibomian glands, which secrete oils that prevent the evaporation of tears, can result in dry eye. Conditions like meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) or blepharitis can block these glands, reducing the lipid layer of the tear film and causing tears to evaporate too quickly.
Managing dry eye from underlying conditions
Addressing dry eye often requires a multi-faceted approach, especially when it’s linked to an underlying medical condition. Here are some steps you can take:
- Medical management: Work with your healthcare provider to manage your underlying condition effectively. Controlling the root cause can significantly improve dry eye symptoms.
- Artificial tears: Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide immediate relief by lubricating the eyes and mimicking natural tears.
- Lifestyle changes: Simple changes like using a humidifier, taking breaks from screen time, and wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from the wind and sun can help reduce dry eye symptoms.
- Medications: Prescription medications, such as anti-inflammatory eye drops, can help manage more severe cases.
- Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, have been shown to improve the quality of the tear film and reduce inflammation.
At Avon Vision Associates and New Hartford Eye Associates, we offer a range of advanced treatments to tackle even the toughest cases of dry eye. Our options include Celluma LLLT (low level light therapy) to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation, OptiLight IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy to improve the function of your meibomian glands, ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) to cleanse the eyelids and remove debris, and TearCare®, which uses gentle heat and pressure to unclog meibomian glands. For severe cases, we also offer scleral lenses, which create a tear reservoir on the eye’s surface, providing constant moisture and relief.
Dry eye can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but understanding its connection to underlying medical issues can help you find effective treatments. Our dry eye specialists in New Hartford and Avon will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause, helping you achieve better eye health and comfort. Schedule an appointment with us today to find the best treatment for your unique case.