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SATURDAY, Jan. 24 (HealthDayNews) -- Winter's dry
air and wind can play havoc with the almost 20 percent of Americans
who have dry eyes.
Dr. Kenneth Goins, an associate professor of ophthalmology
and visual sciences at the University of Iowa, explains the causes
of dry eyes and ways to manage the condition.
"Many different factors can affect the tear film quality
and amount, which leads to secondary changes in the eye and loss
of vision," Goins says.
The amount of lubricating tears produced by the eyes may vary,
depending on whether the eyes are at rest or under stress, such
as when you're reading. Pain, redness, decreased vision and the
sensation of foreign objects in the eyes are among the complaints
cited by people with severe dry eyes.
Dry eyes can be caused by wind and sunlight; dirt and grit; an
age-related decrease in tear production; eyelid abnormalities that
affect the blink mechanism; and naturally and artificially dry environments,
Goins says.
Medication side effects and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
and lupus can also cause dry eyes.
The approach you take to managing dry eyes depends on the cause,
Goins says. He recommends that people with dry eyes wear sunglasses
to protect against wind and excess light. Artificial tears (also
known as tear substitutes) can be used during the day and a lubricating
ointment can be used at bedtime.
There's a difference between artificial tears that provide moisture
and eye drops that only remove redness from the eyes, Goins says.
Humidifiers can also help reduce dry indoor air during the winter.
People with significantly dry eyes or those who have pain or foreign
object sensations in their eyes should see an ophthalmologist, Goins
says.
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