SOS tips for dry eyes

Our eyes are complex organs. In order for us to see well, different parts of the eye must work together. The tear fluid plays an important role. It is not only there for crying, but also to moisten our eyes and protect them from environmental influences. If we don’t produce enough tears or if they evaporate too quickly, our eyes can dry out, burn and be more prone to infection.

Why are we crying?

Tears are made up of water, protein, enzymes and salt – that’s why they taste salty. The composition may vary, depending on what type of tears flow:

1. Emotional Tears: Crying, like laughter, is considered innate. We shed emotional tears when emotions such as sadness or joy stimulate our nervous system, which in turn activates the tear ducts.
2. Reflex tears: Most people are familiar with this type of tear when peeling onions. The sliced ​​onion releases a sulphurous substance that irritates the eyes and thus stimulates the production of tears. Even with smoke or wind, we shed reflex tears.
3. Basal tears: We actually produce these types of tears all the time. They keep the eye moist and build up a kind of protective film that can keep germs away. They also flush small foreign objects out of the eye. If there is not enough basal tear fluid, the eyes dry out – the protective film falls away and they become more sensitive.

Burning, itching, increased tears – a sign of dryness

Dry eyes are also called sicca syndrome. The dryness can feel like you have sand in your eye . The eyes begin to sting, itch and redden . They can become more sensitive to light and tire more quickly , for example if you do a lot of computer work. This can mean that you have to take breaks very often when working in front of the screen. Sometimes your eyes even hurt.

Dry eyes are irritated more quickly and can therefore also water more often . Due to the increased reflex tears, it can happen that your vision is blurred . You can also have swollen and sticky eyelids when you wake up in the morning. This is because your eyes secrete more mucus.

Why do the eyes dry out?

Dry eyes are mostly related to the fact that the protective tear film is disturbed. The tear film lies on the cornea and consists of a mucous layer, a watery layer and a fatty layer. If these layers are mismatched or one of the layers is missing, you can get dry eyes.

Possible causes and risk factors are:

• Diseases: If your lacrimal glands produce less fluid, it can be caused by an allergy , a thyroid disease , Sjögren’s syndrome or a vitamin A deficiency .
• Certain medications: Drugs such as antihistamines, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications can also cause dry eyes.
• Age: The aging process can also play a role. People over 50 are affected more often than younger people.
• Contact lenses: Those who wear contact lenses for a long time can get dry eyes more easily. Some lenses do not let enough oxygen through, which can irritate the eyes.
• Screen work: We typically blink about 10 to 15 times a minute. The tear film is distributed over the eye like a windshield wiper. When we look at the monitor, we only blink 1 or 2 times.
• Environmental influences: Cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes and dry heating air can also irritate the eyes.

5 good home remedies for dry eyes

If your eyes are dry and irritated, you should rest them and give them breaks more often. The following tips can help to relieve the annoying feeling in the eyes:

1. Take breaks: If you sit at the computer all day, take regular eye breaks. For example, you can close your eyes for a few minutes. Or you blink several times in a row to better distribute the tear film.
2. Adjust screen: Place your monitor slightly below eye level. This way you don’t have to open your eyes as wide and the tear fluid evaporates less. If your eyes are sensitive to light, you can dim the screen a little.
3. Improving the room climate: Dry heated air is not good for the eyes in the long run. Ventilate regularly and/or get a humidifier. Avoid cigarette smoke.
4. Glasses instead of lenses: Especially if you sit in front of the screen a lot, you should avoid contact lenses and wear glasses instead. If you wear contact lenses, reduce the amount of time you wear them.
5. Eye Wellness: Moist, warm compresses act like a wellness treatment for irritated eyes. They can have a calming effect and reduce swelling.

When should I seek medical treatment?

If your eyes turn red or you feel pain , you should contact a doctor. Even if your visual acuity decreases , you should have a doctor examine you. Depending on the cause of the dryness, your doctor can prescribe special eye drops, an ointment or a spray. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for an eye infection.