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Occasional dry eyes aren’t uncommon. After all, anyone may feel their eyes are dry if they sit in front of a car’s hot air vents or stay up too late. In these cases, your symptoms resolve once you’ve moved away from the vents or caught up with your sleep.
But can dry eyes indicate an underlying health problem? Yes. While dry eyes are commonly caused by environmental factors like wind or screen time, they can also be linked to more serious conditions.
Read on as our experts at Maryland Eye Care Center in Silver Spring and Hyattsville, Maryland, discuss the health conditions contributing to dry eyes and how we can help you in our dry eye center.
Recent eye surgery, aging, windy environments, and infrequent blinking can contribute to dry eyes. They can also be related to the following health conditions:
Eye problems such as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) can cause dry eyes. One of the most common causes of dry eyes, MGD happens when the oil glands in your eyes don’t produce enough oil to keep your eyes lubricated.
Allergies can lead to dry eyes because allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander trigger inflammation in your tear ducts and reduce tear production. Your body responds to allergens by releasing histamine, irritating your eyes and making them feel dry.
To compound matters, over-the-counter allergy medications like antihistamines can further reduce tear flow.
Chronic dry eyes can be a symptom of autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, where your body's immune system attacks moisture-producing glands, specifically in your eyes and mouth. With this disease, dry eyes might be accompanied by dry mouth.
Other autoimmune conditions that cause dry eyes include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and thyroid disorders. All of these cause additional symptoms beyond dry eyes.
Another potential cause of dry eyes is diabetes, which can damage nerves that affect tear production. More than half (54%) of people with diabetes have dry eyes.
That isn’t limited to Type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes can experience dry eyes.
In addition to working with your primary care provider to manage your diabetes, schedule regular diabetic eye exams. Our team has experience diagnosing and treating diabetes-related eye conditions, including dry eye and diabetic retinopathy.
As we’ve discussed, health conditions can cause dry eyes, but so can the medication for certain health conditions. Medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure treatments can also reduce tear production as a side effect.
If you have dry eyes and suspect it’s related to an underlying condition, consider:
If you suspect an underlying health condition affects your eyes, don’t postpone medical care. The sooner you talk with your primary care provider, the sooner you can start treatment for that condition.
If you have persistent dry eyes that don’t improve with over-the-counter remedies, talk to us. Whether you have dry eyes from computer strain or an underlying health condition, we can help get you the relief you need with Oasis Tears®.
Artificial tears can help moisten and lubricate your eyes and alleviate symptoms like stinging, scratchy sensations, and burning. In addition to offering artificial tears, we can help you identify lifestyle modifications to reduce discomfort.
To visit our dry eye center, call us at 301-431-0431 or request your appointment online today.
