6 Causes of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome affects people from all backgrounds. Yet, of the millions of people afflicted with dry eye syndrome, many of them have no idea what actually caused the condition to develop. If you suffer from dry eye syndrome, you can get treatment from your eye doctor in Jesus, GA. In the meantime, learn more about the six common causes of dry eye syndrome.

1. Smoking

Smoking irritates the eyes and has been shown to be a contributing factor to dry eye syndrome. Smoking also has a tendency to dry out the eyes, as well as mucous membranes. This is one reason why smokers often get more respiratory illnesses and have bad breath from a lack of saliva.

2. Insufficient Blinking

People blink at different rates, and it’s been discovered that those who blink less have a higher incidence of developing dry eye syndrome. Interestingly, when people look at screens, they tend to blink less frequently. Therefore, the use of screens is also a factor that can cause dry eye syndrome.

3. Previous Eye Surgery

If you’ve undergone eye surgery in the past, such as for glaucoma, LASIK, cataracts, or something else, you will have a heightened risk for dry eye syndrome. This is due to how surgery can affect the function of tear glands.

4. Allergies

Allergy sufferers often have dry eye syndrome, simply because their eyes become irritated in the presence of certain allergens. In a case like this, treating the underlying allergy may alleviate the dry eye symptoms.

5. Overuse of Eye Drops

Over-the-counter eye drops are okay for temporary use over a short period of time. But many people overuse them, thinking that they are helping with dry eyes. In reality, it may actually be the eye drops that are causing dry eyes, creating a vicious circle of overuse of eye drops, which exacerbates the condition.

6. Physical Abnormality

There may be a physical reason why the tear glands are not functioning as they should. In cases like this, corrective surgery may resolve the dry eyes syndrome.

If you suffer from dry eyes in Jesus, GA, contact Vision Source for an appointment. We offer diagnostics and treatment for dry eye syndrome for patients in our offices in Jesup, Brunswick, and St. Mary’s, GA.