Dry eyes or Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) is a health condition that affects millions of adults and children throughout the United States. If you suffer from any chronic health issues or spend a lot of time using computer devices, you may be at risk from KCS. By knowing the essential facts about dry eyes, you can carry out dry eye treatments at home and maintain the health of your eyes.

Six things you should know about dry eyes

Here are six things you should know about the dry eyes syndrome:

1) Dry eyes are generally a result of decreased tear production

Decreased tear production is one of the causes of dry eyes. Your eyes do not produce a sufficient amount of tears, and therefore they cannot adequately lubricate the surface of the eyes. That leads to a dry sensation in your eyes.

2) Poor quality of tears can also cause the dry eyes condition

Sometimes the tears that your eyes produce can be of poor quality. As a result, they cannot provide sufficient moisture that your eyes need to stay well-lubricated. When that happens, you are likely to develop a dry eye condition.

3) Increased tear evaporation is another cause of dry eyes

You have meibomian glands along the edges of the eyelids. These oil glands produce the necessary oil to generate tears and moisten the eyes. If the pores of these glands get clogged, they cannot secrete sufficient oil to retain the moisture in the eyes. That leads to increased tear evaporation and thereby the dry eyes condition.

4) A poor diet can increase the likelihood of the dry eyes condition

If you do not eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet, you are at an increased risk of developing dry eyes. One of the best dry eye treatments at home is to include foods having a high content of Vitamin A in your daily diet. According to the National Eye Institute, you may also obtain relief from dry eyes by consuming foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Some foods containing Vitamin A are apricots, broccoli, carrots, mango, and beef liver. You can get omega-3 fatty acids by consuming walnuts, sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, oysters, and cod liver.

5) Age and hormonal changes can play a role in causing dry eyes

Age can be a factor in causing dry eyes since tear production seems to slow down as you get older. According to a research study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, women are more likely than men to develop dry eyes syndrome. Pregnant and menopausal women are more at risk.

6) Certain medical conditions may be responsible for causing dry eyes

If you suffer from any chronic health conditions, they may cause a decrease in tear production and put you at risk of dry eyes. These medical conditions include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, thyroid disorder, and scleroderma.

How do you treat dry eyes?

You can try out various dry eye treatments at home to obtain relief from this health condition. Here are a few suggestions:

• Improve your daily diet to include more foods containing Vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Drink plenty of water to stay well-hydrated.

• Get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

• Wash your eyes clean after you wake up in the morning.

• Apply warm compresses to your eyes for at least ten minutes in the morning.

• Perform eye exercises for at least ten minutes.

• Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise every day.

• Make a point of blinking often to stimulate tear production.

• When you work on the computer, watch television, read, or engage in any work that requires continual focus, look away from the screen, page, or task frequently and rest your eyes every 20 minutes.

• Use castor oil or OTC eye drops to lubricate your eyes.

• Use a humidifier to increase the moisture content in your indoor environment.

If you do not get relief from these dry eye treatments at home, it is advisable to consult a licensed, experienced ophthalmologist. Depending on the severity of your issue, they may prescribe medications and other treatment options. These can include tear-stimulating eyedrops, using eye inserts that work like artificial tears.