See Clear

Many people suffer from dry eyes in this country. In fact, it’s probably the most commonly heard complaint in the offices of vision doctors nationwide. Sometimes referred to as the ‘common cold’ of the eye, it’s a symptom that occurs in many people across many walks of life, is easy to catch, but also easy to treat, and is generally not permanently harmful. Officially called aqueous insufficiency, varying degrees of irritation, burning, extra watering or tearing up, stinging and the feeling of grit in the eye are all symptoms of dry eyes.

Dry eyes can be caused by or related to diseases such as arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome which dries out not only the eyes, but also the mouth, throat, skin, lips, nails, and even the scalp. If you are a post-menopausal woman and have dry eyes accompanied by other bodily dryness, it may be a good idea to see a doctor. Interestingly, women are more prone to experience dry eyes, which may be linked to hormones including estrogen. Birth control pills and pregnancy are often blamed for vision issues.

General dehydration can cause eye dryness, as can allergens in the air. Wind,the air in air conditioned buildings and airplanes, and even medications like cold pills or eye drops can exacerbate eyecare problems. Since eyes produce significantly less lubricant as they age, getting older causes dry eyes as does using contact lenses. Contact lenses can lessen the sensitivity of your cornea, which can cause the lacrimal glands to create less lubrication for the eye. Smoking is another way to decrease vision health, as the particles from the smoke can irritate your eyes.

Alternative medicine suggests prevention as the best treatment, so to prevent dry eyes and keep your eye health up, avoid the above if possible, and avoid sugar, which can contribute to dry eyes. Try not to use over the counter eye drops as more than a temporary solution, as they can make things worse in the long run. Drink lots of water, get plenty of vitamin A, and let your eyes get plenty of rest.