What Triggers Dry Eyes?

Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears isn’t sufficient to keep the surface of your eyes properly lubricated. This imbalance can lead to discomfort, blurred vision, redness, and a gritty or burning sensation that affects your day-to-day comfort.
 

Understanding Dry Eye

Your tears are made up of three essential layers - oil, water, and mucus - that work together to protect and nourish your eyes. When one or more of these layers are disrupted, your tears can evaporate too quickly or fail to spread evenly, leading to dryness and irritation.
 

Common Triggers of Dry Eyes

Dry eye can be triggered by a variety of everyday factors. Some of the most common include:

• Environmental conditions: Wind, smoke, dry air, and air conditioning can cause your tears to evaporate more quickly.

• Digital screen time: Spending long hours on computers, phones, or tablets reduces your blink rate, which can dry out your eyes.

• Contact lens wear: Prolonged contact lens use can interfere with tear stability and contribute to dryness.

• Aging: Tear production naturally decreases with age, particularly after age 50.

• Hormonal changes: Women going through pregnancy, menopause, or using certain hormonal medications may be more prone to dry eyes.

• Medications: Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications can reduce tear production.

• Underlying health conditions: Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren’s syndrome are often linked to chronic dry eye.
 

When to See Your Eye Doctor

Occasional dryness can be normal, but if your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to see your optometrist. At Professional VisionCare, your eye doctor can perform a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of your dry eye - whether it’s due to insufficient tear production, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), or another underlying condition. This may include measuring tear production, assessing tear quality, and examining the eye’s surface and oil glands for inflammation or blockage.

Based on the results, your doctor can recommend personalized treatment options - from artificial tears and prescription drops to in-office therapies designed to restore tear balance and comfort. Identifying the underlying cause is key to long-term relief.
 

Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation

Dry eye can stem from a variety of triggers, but with the right diagnosis and care, you don’t have to live with discomfort. Understanding your specific risk factors and addressing them early can help protect your eye health and maintain clear, comfortable vision.

If you’ve been experiencing persistent dryness, irritation, or redness, schedule a dry eye evaluation with Professional VisionCare today. Call our offices in Westerville or Lewis Center at (614) 898-9989 or Johnstown at (740) 967-2936, or book an appointment online.