Dry Eye Disease (DED) is one of the most common eye diseases known. It causes numerous irritating and annoying symptoms, including pain, loss of vision, and ocular surface damage. Also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and when severe as Neurotrophic Keratitis, DED is a chronic condition that causes your eyes to feel scratchy, blurry, itchy, sensitive to light, and (oddly) watery. More about this later.
If you often spend a lot of time on your phone or computer or spend a lot of time outdoors in sunny, windy, or dry conditions, you may have noticed that your eyes bother you. If you suffer from DED, certain behaviors can contribute to or worsen your symptoms.
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye often occurs when the quantity and quality of your tears is insufficient to keep your eyes well-lubricated. If there is inadequate quality lubrication, friction between the eyelid and the ocular surface will cause inflammation. If inflamed for a lengthy period of time, the sensory nerves on the surface of the eye (notify the nervous system of the condition of the surface) become desensitized and unable to signal the need for tears. If the structures of the ocular surface are sufficiently damaged, a vicious cycle of dryness, damage, more dryness, and more damage ensues.
Generally, dry eye causes inflammation of your eye's surface, leading to symptoms such as a sensation of blurring, pain, stinging, itching, burning, and light sensitivity. Once the damage is significant, an “emergency” supply of tear is supplied making the dry eye prone to watery episodes! This is what I call the “fire extinguisher” of the eye!
Things That Worsen Dry Eye Symptoms
Certain things you do can actually worsen your dry eye symptoms. Identifying these triggers is the first crucial step toward relief. Here are some behaviors to avoid if you want to minimize your dry eye symptoms:
Taking Certain Medications that Trigger Dry Eye Symptoms
Certain medications that help solve some health conditions can end up contributing to others. Certain medications make it more likely that you will develop DED. Blood pressure medications, diuretics, drops for other eye disease, medication for heartburn and ulcer, pain medications including opiates, gabapentin, and pregabalin all play a role in DED. Other medications that may contribute to DED include antihistamines, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medicines, decongestants, and birth control and hormone therapy drugs.
Certain disease states make it more likely that you will suffer from DED. Thyroid disease, diabetes, rheumatologic diseases (i.e. arthritis) and others can make you prone to DED.
So, if you've recently started a new medication and suddenly experienced dry eye symptoms, consult with your doctor. Often, alternative prescriptions can address the situation without the side effects.
Smoking and vaping can also make DED worse. The more contributing factors there are, the worse the DED may be.
Too Much Screen Time With No Breaks
Spending lots of time on electronic devices such as mobile phones, desktops, laptops, or tablets can lower your blink rate (by as much as 75%). This applies to any kind of extended near work, such as reading, writing, and certain hobbies. Infrequent blinking can be problematic because blinking is essential for spreading your tear film across the eyes. Therefore, less frequent blinking means dryer, aggravated eyes. Moreover, blinking less leads to greater tear evaporation from the ocular surface.
To address the blinking frequency issue, it is wise to follow the so-called “20-20-20 rule.” This easy-to-remember rule of thumb suggests that every 20 minutes while doing near work, such as screenwork or reading, you should stop and focus on objects 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It helps reset your natural blink rate. The best way to incorporate this practice is to first set a timer to remind you until you develop a habit of doing so. If your eyes are really dry and bother you, consider using a lubricating drop during these breaks.
Using Eye Drops to Reduce Redness
Many people with bloodshot or tired-looking eyes often use over-the-counter eye drops to help lessen the appearance of red, engorged blood vessels. While such eye drops are okay for occasional use, repetitive use can cause a rebound effect, allowing the redness to recur as the medication wears off.
Moreover, the preservatives in the eye drops can irritate the ocular surface and further aggravate your symptoms. If you persistently struggle with a red eye, consult an ophthalmologist.
Sleeping While Wearing Contact Lenses
Sleeping without removing your contacts tends to dry out your eyes because the contact itself acts as a barrier and inhibits the cornea from receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients. It's best to avoid sleeping with your contacts. It is best to clean and disinfect them overnight or to dispose of them at night.
Not Wearing Glasses in Windy Conditions
Windy environments can cause the breeze to dry your tear film the same way forced-air hand dryers in public bathrooms dry your hands. Always protect your eyes in windy situations by wearing sunglasses. Glasses with a wraparound design are particularly effective in windy weather and work great for cyclists and other outdoor athletes.
Seek Professional Eye Care
If you or your loved one is grappling with dry eye symptoms, the EyeMDs at Pomerance Eye Center, PC, offer comprehensive eye care treatments. Besides dry eye, we treat all eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and cornea and retinal conditions. Our state-of-the-art health care facility brings together advanced diagnostics and treatment. Our primary goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible by detecting and resolving DED and other eye diseases. So, if you are experiencing eye dryness, itchiness, discomfort, or any other eye problems, we encourage you to get in touch with us to schedule an exam.