World Sight Day: What Causes Eye Dryness And How To Manage It?

A few months ago, I was experiencing some burning and scratchy sensations in my eyes, so I decided to get a routine eye checkup done. My ophthalmologist told me that I was developing a condition called “eye dryness."

And only then did I realise that I had been having this feeling for a while but had never really bothered to get it checked. Thankfully, I had consulted the doctor at the right time. So, on this World Sight Day, I thought I should definitely do my bit and spread awareness about this less-talked-about eye condition.

What Is Eye Dryness?

When I asked my ophthalmologist, Dr. Yashwanth Rajagopal of Suraksha Eye Care Hospital, about how this works, he said, “Our eyes produce tears that spread across the eye every time we blink. Eye dryness happens when tears evaporate faster or when our eyes are not able to produce enough tears.” He added that sometimes this condition of severe eye dryness leads to corneal damage, so an early diagnosis is vital.

He also said that eye dryness is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in India, but many people, especially those who spend a lot of time working on screens, are prone to experiencing it. A large-scale,  hospital-based study in India involving over 14.5 million patients discovered that the country is on the verge of a dry eye disease epidemic. It was reported that the number of new cases of eye dryness was 21,000, or 1.46%. While 12,500 cases were reported in urban areas, 8,700 cases were reported in rural areas. The study also pointed out that the prevalence of eye dryness among the urban population will reach 40% by 2030.

What causes eye dryness?

Several factors contribute to eye dryness, including aging, excessive screen time, dehydration, an unhealthy lifestyle, medical conditions like arthritis and diabetes, side effects of medications (such as antidepressants), and more.

What are the symptoms to look for?

Symptoms of eye dryness include irritation, burning, redness, watery eyes, blurry vision, difficulty driving at night, mucus around the eyes, light sensitivity, and challenges with contact lenses.

Precautions to follow:

Exposing our eyes to extreme wind, smoke, or dry air can lead to tears evaporating quickly. So it’s better to wear sunglasses. We forget to blink when we are too engrossed in something important, such as reading, working on a computer, driving, etc. Blinking as often as possible, taking short breaks to rest the eyes, and practicing eye exercises suggested by an ophthalmologist.

Sometimes doctors might prescribe drugs to reduce inflammation or increase the production of tears. The most common treatment doctors prescribe is lubricating eye drops, which enhance natural tears. Following a healthy lifestyle and keeping the eyes clean by clearing mucus also helps.

So, if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms or if you are someone who spends a lot of time on screen or travels a lot without eye protection, do get yourself checked by an ophthalmologist. Treating eye dryness as early as possible helps big time.

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