What Are the Common Causes of Chronic Dry Eyes?

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Chronic dry eyes are something that is used to explain a condition when your eyes are not
able to produce enough tears or when the tears that your eyes do produce are of poor
quality. Tears are crucial in the process of maintaining the health of your eyes, as they not
only help in the process of lubricating the eyes but also protect the surface area of the eyes
from any external element.

Without enough tears, the eyes can quickly become dry, red, itchy, and irritated, which
impacts the quality of life in a big way. If you have been struggling with dry eye symptoms,
have a look at this site. Meanwhile, if you want to know more about your condition, read on
as we break down some of the common causes of chronic dry eyes.

Causes of Chronic Dry Eyes

● Age: Age is one of the most typical factors in chronic dry eyes. The body changes as
people become older, and one of those changes is that fewer tears are produced.
Dry eyes can result from a reduction in tear production, and if ignored, it can develop
into a chronic condition. Additionally, as people age, the composition of their tears
can change, producing tears of lower quality that do not sufficiently lubricate their
eyes.

● Lifestyle Choices: Chronic dry eyes might also be caused by certain lifestyle
decisions. Smoking could aggravate the signs of dry eyes in those who already have
symptoms. Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine can also cause
dehydration, which can make dry eyes worse. Chronic dry eyes may also be a result
of a diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish and nuts. These
fatty acids contribute to the oil that is produced in tears, which helps prevent
excessive evaporation. Lack of sleep can result in fewer tears being produced, which
can also cause dry eyes. Dry eyes can occur in those who look at phones or
computer screens for extended periods of time.

● External Environment: Chronic dry eyes can be aggravated by environmental
variables such as air conditioning, heating, wind, and smoke. Dry eyes can result
from the dry air that heating and cooling systems can generate. Additionally, wind
can speed up the evaporation of tears, resulting in dry eyes. Eye irritation and
dryness can result from smoke from fires, candles, and cigarette smoke.

● Certain Medications: Some drugs might lead to dry eyes as a side effect of their
consumption. Some of these medications are antihistamines, antidepressants,
decongestants, and blood pressure. Ask your doctor whether there are other
medicines that you can use if you are taking one or more of these drugs and have
chronic dry eyes. They should be able to change things up without a problem.

● Medical Issues: Chronic dry eyes can be caused by a variety of medical illnesses,
including Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid problems. These
ailments can negatively impact the glands that make tears, which can cause fewer
tears to be produced and dry eyes.

● Contact Lenses: Chronic dry eyes can also be a result of contact lens use. Tear
production may be reduced as a result of contact lens irritation. Consult your eye
doctor about changing to an alternate kind of contact lens or using eye drops for
lubricating your eyes if you wear contacts and experience chronic dry eyes.

● Hormonal Factors: Chronic dry eyes can be exacerbated by hormonal changes like
those that take place during pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. Those
changes may have an impact on the type and quantity of tears that are generated by
the eyes, causing dryness and discomfort.

● Eyelid Issues: Chronic dry eyes can also be caused by issues with the eyelids, such
as blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction. Blepharitis is a condition that results
in inflammation of the eyelids, while meibomian gland dysfunction affects the glands
that produce the oils for the tears. Dry eyes and a decrease in the production of tears
can result from either of these disorders.

● LASIK Surgery: A type of refractive surgery called LASIK can help treat
astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness among other eye problems.
Although the procedure is generally safe, one side effect is dry eyes. This is because
the procedure may disturb the nerves that regulate the eyes' ability to produce tears.
Dry eyes are certainly a tough situation to live with and while some might think only a
handful of causes lead to this condition, there are in fact many factors that can contribute to
this. From certain medications to harsh environmental surroundings, there are many things
that might be leading to your dry eyes situation. When you do face these symptoms, it's
important to get in touch with a medical professional who is able to help you through this
process.