Top Causes of Dry Eye

Do your eyes sting, burn or feel uncomfortable? The cause is a most likely dry eye disease. At Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA, our optometrist staff is here to help with all of your vision needs, including dry eye treatment.

The cause of dry eye disease can vary from person to person, but many times there is more than one source. Here are the top causes of dry eyes.

Decreased Tear Production

Many times, dry eyes occur when you are unable to create the necessary amount of tears to keep your eyes moist. While aging is one of the top causes of decreased tear production, there are many other causes as well.

Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disorders, and many others can lead to decreased tear production. On the other hand, certain medications can also cause dry eyes. Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and decongestants are just a few medications that can lead to dry eye disease.

Increased Tear Evaporation

On the other end of the spectrum, dry eye disease can be caused by tear evaporation. Many times, this cause of dry eyes is associated with certain activities, such as reading, driving, or working at a computer. While focusing on these activities, you are blinking less, which can lead to your eyes feeling drier than normal.

Other causes include:

• Eye allergies
• Wind, smoke or dry air (standing in front of a fan or air conditioner)
• Eyelid problems
• Vitamin A deficiency

Because there are so many causes of dry eyes, it’s important to reach out to your optometrist if you’re experiencing any irritating or painful symptoms.

Seek Treatment Today

Since this ailment can be very uncomfortable, you should seek dry eye treatment right away. Our optometrists at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, IA can help you. Stop searching for “eye doctor near me” and come visit our team of experts. Call us today at 515-267-1312 to set up your vision appointment.