Eyes - dry

Alternative names

Tearing - decreased; Dry eyes

Definition

Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of your eyes and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.

Considerations

If you have dry eyes, you will feel a burning, scratching, or stinging sensation. You may also have strained or tired eyes after reading, even for short periods of time. If you wear contacts, they will likely feel uncomfortable. Having dry eyes for a while can lead to tiny abrasions on the surface of your eyes.

Common Causes

Common causes of dry eyes include:

• Aging
  
• Dry environment or workplace (wind, air conditioning)
  
• Sun exposure
  
• Smoking or second-hand smoke exposure
  
• Cold or allergy medicines
  
• An eye injury or other problem with your eyes or eyelids (like a drooping eyelid or bulging eyes)
  
• Sjogren's syndrome - includes dry eyes, mouth, and mucus membranes, and often rheumatoid arthritis or other joint disorder
  

Home Care

The following steps may help:

• Try artificial tears, available as either drops or ointment. Ointments last longer, but are thicker and can cause blurry vision.
  
• Don't smoke. Avoid second-hand smoke, direct wind, and air conditioning.
  
• Use a humidifier, especially in the winter.
  
• Purposefully blink more often. Rest your eyes.
  

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if:

• Your have red or painful eyes.
  
• You have flaking, discharge, or a lesion on your eye or eyelid.
  
• You have had trauma to your eye, or you have a bulging eye or a drooping eyelid.
  
• You have joint pain, swelling, or stiffness.
  
• You also have a dry mouth.
  
• Your dry eyes do not respond to self-care measures within a few days.
  

What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, including a careful eye examination.