Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears. It is one of the major reasons people visit an eye doctor. Here’s what you need to know about dry eye syndrome: its causes, symptoms and treatments:
An adequate and consistent layer of tears on the surface of the eye is essential to keep your eyes healthy, comfortable and well. Dry eye syndrome is caused by a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye. Consequences of dry eyes range from subtle but constant eye irritation to significant inflammation and even scarring of the front surface of the eye.
Symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye syndrome include:
Another common symptom is a foreign body sensation — the feeling that grit or some other object or material is "in" your eye. And as odd as it may sound, watery eyes also can be a symptom of dry eye syndrome. This is because dryness on the eye's surface sometimes will over-stimulate production of the watery component of your tears as a protective mechanism. But this "reflex tearing" does not stay on the eye long enough to correct the underlying dry eye condition. In addition to these symptoms, dry eyes can cause inflammation and (sometimes permanent) damage to the surface of the eye. Dry eye syndrome also can affect the outcomes of LASIK and cataract surgery.
There are effective treatment options if you suffer from chronic dry eye. In many cases, routine use of artificial tears and minor behavioral modifications (taking frequent breaks during computer use, for example) can significantly reduce dry eye symptoms. In other cases, your eye doctor might recommend prescription eye medications to help your body create and secrete more tears and to decrease eye irritation and inflammation
Red eyes (or red eye) is a condition in which the white surface of the eye becomes reddened or "bloodshot." Red eye can occur in one or both eyes, and it can be associated with several symptoms, including:
In some cases, bloodshot eyes may have no symptoms other than redness. Red or bloodshot eyes are very common and have many causes. Red eye usually is a symptom of other eye conditions that can range from benign to serious.
The appearance of red eyes is caused by dilation of tiny blood vessels located between the white
surface of your eye and
the overlying clear conjunctiva. These tiny blood vessels (many of which normally are invisible)
can become swollen
because of environmental or lifestyle-related reasons or because of specific eye problems.
Red eyes are usually caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses, or common eye
infections such as pink
eye (conjunctivitis). However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye
condition or disease, such as
glaucoma.
Environmental causes of red, bloodshot eyes include:
Common eye conditions that cause red eyes include:
Serious eye conditions that can cause red eyes include:
Lifestyle factors also can contribute to your red eye risk. For example, smoking can definitely cause red eyes, as can with alcohol consumption. Sustained use of digital devices and insufficient sleep are other lifestyle-related causes of red eyes.
Because red eyes have so many causes (including some that are serious and require immediate attention), you should see your eye doctor right away if you have red, bloodshot eyes — especially if the redness comes on suddenly and is associated with discomfort or blurred vision. Also, consult with your eye doctor before using any eye drops. If you are already using any eye drops frequently over a period of time, you may start needing to use them more often to keep red eye from coming back. And you might experience more severe red eye symptoms if you stop using the drops. For the best and safest way to get rid of red eyes, consult with your eye doctor to determine the cause of your red eyes and receive the most effective treatment options. Until you can visit your eye doctor about your red eye problem, remove your contact lenses (if you wear them) and wear your glasses instead. And bring your contact lenses with you to your appointment so your doctor can evaluate whether your contact lenses are causing your red eyes. You also may want to moisten your eyes frequently with preservative-free lubricating eye drops until you can see your eye doctor.