Having to deal with dry, itchy eyes is uncomfortable at best, and you are not alone. Dry eyes affect millions of people worldwide and are one of the most common eye conditions. Dry eyes occur when your eyes can't produce enough tears or evaporate too quickly. Reduced tear production, increased tear evaporation, an inflammatory response, or a combination of these factors can cause dry eyes.

In this article, we'll explore the common causes, symptoms, and treatments of dry eyes.

One of the most common causes of dry eyes is aging – as we grow older, our tear production slows down. However, other causes of dry eyes are not related to aging. These include certain medications, eye diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and injuries.

If you've been experiencing any of the following, you may have dry eyes: redness in your eyes, discomfort, irritation, or itchiness in and around your eyes, a reduced ability to see clearly, increased sensitivity to light, sores or scabs around your eyelids and reduced tear production and excess tear evaporation.

Your doctor can diagnose dry eyes by performing a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. Your doctor may also order lab tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. They may also order a tear test to measure the quality and quantity of your tears. Depending on the results, your doctor may recommend treatment, or they may refer you to an eye specialist.

The best treatment for dry eyes will vary from person to person. Depending on the underlying cause, treatments may include eye drops, prescription medications, or changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Some of the most common treatments for dry eyes include:

Eye drops - eye drops can moisturize your eyes and increase tear production. They can also be helpful if you suffer from inflammation. Lubricating eye gel - These are similar to eye drops but applied with a small finger pad. Blinking exercises - these exercises can help you blink more frequently, which can help reduce tear evaporation. Lifestyle changes - simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help treat dry eyes. If you're not getting enough nutrients, you may not have enough tears.

Dry eyes that don't respond to other treatments may require surgery, such as eyelid or tear duct surgery. Eyelid surgery is often used to repair droopy eyelids blocking your tear ducts, preventing tears from properly draining from your eyes. Tear duct surgery can be performed to prevent tears from flowing into your nose and sinuses.

Dry eyes can be a frustrating condition that's both uncomfortable and embarrassing. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat dry eyes and get your eyes feeling healthy again. You can overcome dry eyes and enjoy your life with the right treatments. With proper treatment, you can rest assured that your eyes will feel good again.