Did you know that around 4.88 million people in the United States over the age of 50 have dry eyes? If you have been dealing with burning, stinging, watery eyes, or itchy eyes then this is a sign that you might have an eye condition.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of dry eyes.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of dry eyes include blurred vision, red eyes, light sensitivity, a scratchy sensation, a hard time driving at nighttime, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. Also, if you are suddenly highly sensitive to light when it used to not bother you, or if you are dealing with stringy mucus around your eyes or inside your eyes.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have been dealing with symptoms for months then it might be best to go see a professional eye doctor such as medicalartseye.com. Especially if you are experiencing any pain in your eyes. A doctor will be able to determine exactly what is causing your eyes to suffer and figure out how to give you some relief.

If you are experiencing dry eyes avoid blowing into your eyes before you see the doctor. Keep things such as fans, hairdryers, car heaters, etc away from your eyes.

Causes

Whenever the healthy tear film in the eye is disrupted you will begin to have symptoms of dry eyes. The tear film is made up of three layers which include fatty oils, mucus, and aqueous fluid. These three layers keep the surface of your eyes clear, lubricated, and smooth.

If one of these layers experiences an issue you will begin to experience symptoms of dry eyes. Sometimes there is a disruption in the tear film because of autoimmune diseases, hormonal changes, inflamed eyelid glands, or allergies.

Risk Factors

As you get older the tear production in your eyes will begin to diminish. This is why dry eyes tend to be more common in people that are over the age of 50.

Another risk factor is eating a diet that is low in vitamin A. You can find vitamin A in foods like broccoli, liver, carrots, and omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and fish. If you are a woman going through hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, or birth control pills, you are also at higher risk of dealing with dry eyes.

One last high-risk factor is if you have a history of refractive surgery or have been wearing contact lenses for many years.

Ready to Combat Dry Eyes?

We hope that now that you know more about the symptoms of dry eyes you can make an informed decision whether or not you should go see a doctor. If you go too long ignoring the problem you risk damaging the surface of your eyes or dealing with eye infections.

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