Dry Eye and Aging: Understanding the Impact on Vision Health

Are you tired of enduring the discomfort of dry, sore, or red eyes? Does reading, driving, or using your computer feel like a challenge? Do you find yourself avoiding windy or smoky weather? If you say yes to any of these, you might be grappling with the unpleasantness of dry eye.

This is when your eyes fail to produce adequate tears or when the tears do not possess the necessary qualities to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

There are many reasons why aging makes your eyes dry, such as:

• Hormonal changes: As you age, your hormones change and affect how much tears you make

• Heart function: As you age, your heart function weakens, affecting how much blood and oxygen your eyes get

• Medications: As you age, you may need more drugs that can make your eyes dry

• Medical conditions: As you age, you may develop more medical conditions that can make your eyes dry

Fortunately, dry eye is treatable with proper care and attention. Here are tips to help keep your eyes moist and healthy as you age:

Have Regular Eye Exams

Your eye care specialist can check if you have dry eye and give you the best treatment options. You should have an eye exam at least once a year or more often if needed.

Use Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are eye drops that act like natural tears to help relieve dryness and irritation. You may need to use them several times daily or whenever you feel dry.

Use Prescription Eye Drops

Prescription eye drops are eye drops with medications that can reduce inflammation, increase tear production, or change tear quality. Use them daily for several weeks or months to see the full effect.

Use Punctal Plugs

These tiny devices block the openings of your tear ducts to keep more tears in your eyes. They can help reduce dryness. Your eye care specialist can put them in your eyes in a simple procedure.

Use Warm Compresses or Eyelid Massage

Warm compresses or eyelid massages can help improve blood circulation and oil secretion in your eyelids. This can improve the quality and flow of your tears. You can do this at home by applying a warm cloth to your eyes for 10 minutes and massaging your eyelids afterward.

Eat a Balanced Diet and Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated by drinking enough water can prevent your eyes from getting dry. Eating healthy foods with omega-3 fatty acids can also improve tear quality and lower inflammation.

Avoid Smoking or Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Smoking or secondhand smoke can irritate your eyes and worsen dry eyes. It can also harm your eye health and cause problems. If you smoke, stop or reduce it. Use sunglasses or protective eyewear to shield your eyes if you are around secondhand smoke.

Wear Sunglasses or Protective Eyewear

Sunglasses or protective eyewear can shield your eyes from damaging UV rays and foreign particles that irritate them and make them dry. Choose sunglasses blocking 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wear them whenever you are outdoors or in bright light.

Blink More Often and Take Frequent Breaks

Blink more often and take frequent breaks to prevent eyestrain and dryness caused by prolonged use of digital devices, reading, or other activities that require focus. Blinking helps spread tears over your eyes and keep them moist. 

Conclusion

Dry eye is a common problem that affects many people as they age. It can harm your vision and happiness if left untreated. Nevertheless, you can manage your dry eye symptoms and live a better life with the right diagnosis and treatment.

For more vision care tips, visit Woodley Optometry at our Encino, California office. Call (818) 862-4800 to schedule an appointment today.