Dry eyes

What are dry eyes?

If you don't produce enough tear fluid, you may experience dry eyes. Although dry eyes are usually harmless, they can eventually lead to damage to the cornea and conjunctiva.

How do I recognize dry eyes?

Dry eyes are often accompanied by the following complaints:

• Itchy eyes
• Tired eyes
• Red eyes
• Burning eyes
• A “grain of sand feeling”
• Sensitivity to light
• Sticky eyelids
• Sore eyes

What causes dry eyes?

Dry eyes are caused by insufficient tear production or by accelerated tear evaporation. Several factors influence tear production or evaporation, including:

• Growing older 

• A laser treatment 

• Certain medications, such as antidepressants and antihypertensives. Some medications can negatively affect the tear film. 

• Diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome 

• Hormonal changes or fluctuations 

• Blinking too little, for example when working on a computer 

• Blepharitis 

• Environmental factors: air conditioning, smoke, dust, wind 

• Wearing the wrong contact lenses. If the eye and lens aren't a perfect match, they can sometimes feel less comfortable. 

• Vitamin D deficiency. Despite little convincing evidence, vitamin D deficiency is often cited as a cause of dry eyes. If you also have other symptoms that indicate a vitamin D deficiency, it's certainly a good idea to see your doctor.

The above list is not exhaustive and is primarily intended to illustrate common causes. If symptoms persist, we recommend contacting one of our stores.

What can I do about dry eyes?

Some causes of dry eyes are relatively easy to resolve. However, we advise against continuing to suffer from these symptoms. If symptoms persist, always contact one of our clinics near you.

• Drink enough water, at least 1.5 liters per day. 

• Make sure you get enough exercise 

• Give your eyes a rest regularly. Because we demand so much from our eyes, it's important to use the 20-20-2 rule. This means that after 20 minutes of looking up close (for example, at a screen), you should look into the distance for 20 seconds. It's also important to spend two hours outside each day! This way, your eyes can relax after a day full of screen stimulation. 

• Try not to rub your eyes too much, as this can cause further irritation. 

• Blink regularly to keep your eyes moist. This is especially important while reading, driving, or looking at a screen. 

• Protect your eyes with a sunglasses or multimedia glasses to prevent irritation and dehydration. 

• Avoid drafty areas or areas with smoke and air conditioning. 

• Get advice about using new contact lenses. 

Dry eye contact lenses

Many contact lens wearers experience dry eyes sooner or later, whether they wear hard or soft lenses. This affects their comfort and can even cause blurred vision. There are no special lenses for (extremely) dry eyes. The best lenses for dry eyes are the contact lenses and solution that are best suited to your eyes. At Oogwereld, we know exactly which type of lenses these are.

Dry eyes: treatment after examination

Fortunately, relieving dry eyes is possible in most cases. Many people think of eye drops or spray when treating dry eyes, but the treatment naturally depends on the cause. That's why at Oogwereld, we always start with an examination. Our optometrist uses specialized measuring equipment to determine the source of your symptoms and then provides appropriate advice.