Tears are necessary for good eye health and clear vision. Dry eye occurs when there is insufficient tear production or poor tear quality. It is a common and often chronic problem.

What causes dry eyes?
Tear production normally decreases as we age. Most people over age 65 have some symptoms of dry eye. It occurs in women more often than men. Other causes include:

• Medications including antihistamines, blood pressure medicine and antidepressants
• Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid problems
• Inflammation of the eye surface or eyelids as well as abnormal turning of the eyelids
• Smoke, wind and dry climates
• Long-term use of contact lenses
• Refractive eye surgeries such as LASIK

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of dry eye include:

• Stinging
• Burning
• Scratchiness
• Stringy mucus
• Excessive irritation from smoke and wind
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• Watering eyes

How are dry eyes diagnosed?
Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive patient history and eye exam. Tests that measure tear production and eye surface dryness may also be necessary.

How are dry eyes treated?
There are several ways to treat dry eye, including:

• Adding tears with over-the-counter artificial tear solutions

• Conserving tears by temporarily or permanently blocking the tear ducts
• Increasing tear production with prescription eye drops

• Treating the contributing eyelid or ocular surface inflammation

What can I do to reduce symptoms of dry eyes?
The following steps can help reduce symptoms of dry eyes:

• Blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer for long periods of time
• Increase the level of humidity in the air
• Wear sunglasses
• Stay hydrated
• Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help some people

Should your dry eye problem persist or continue to cause discomfort, be sure to contact your eye doctor for more information and treatment.