{"id":1503,"date":"2023-03-23T11:21:03","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T15:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1503"},"modified":"2024-11-26T09:42:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T14:42:43","slug":"dry-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/dry-eyes","title":{"rendered":"Dry Eye Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dry eyes are a common eye condition affecting millions of people each year. If you\u2019ve experienced dry eyes, you\u2019ve probably felt some level of discomfort because of it. Sometimes you might experience watery eyes or a scratchy sensation. And if it\u2019s not addressed, dry eye syndrome may lead to other eye issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article will discuss the causes of dry eyes, some dry eye symptoms you may experience, and treatment options to help you better manage this eye condition.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Dry Eye?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dry eye (also known as dry eye syndrome) is a condition where the eyes can&#8217;t produce enough quality tears to lubricate the surface of the eye. Typically with dry eye syndrome, your eyes don\u2019t produce enough tears, or they don\u2019t produce tears that work how they are supposed to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When tears do their job, they provide a protective film of moisture that keeps the eyes wet throughout the day and helps stop foreign bodies (e.g., dust, dirt, etc.) from entering and harming your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have dry eye syndrome, your eyes lack this protective film of tears. If not treated properly, it can cause various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-disorders-and-eye-diseases\">eye conditions<\/a>, such as inflammation of the eyes or an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-infections\">infection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Dry Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dry eyes can be temporary or chronic. There are two main types of chronic dry eyes. Sometimes, the type may impact the treatment your eye doctor recommends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Aqueous Tear-deficient Dry Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This type of dry eye syndrome occurs when the lacrimal glands make tears with a low water component level. This makes it impossible for the surface of the eye to stay hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Evaporative Dry Eye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evaporative dry eye happens when the meibomian glands (small glands in the eyelids) become inflamed and can\u2019t function properly. These glands add a naturally oily substance to tears to keep them from evaporating too quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of Dry Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dry eye syndrome often causes discomfort or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/why-do-my-eyes-hurt\">eye pain<\/a>. It might feel like something is stuck in your eye (like a pesky eyelash), or you could even experience a burning sensation. However, symptoms will vary depending on each person.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some common signs to look out for:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blurry vision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Burning or stinging eyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty keeping the eyes open<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-irritation-from-contacts\">Discomfort when wearing contacts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Light sensitivity&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-boogers\">Mucus around the eye<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/learn\/red-eyes\">Red eyes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scratchy eyes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watery eyes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Dry Eyes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we\u2019ve mentioned, dry eye syndrome is caused by a shortage of tears or tears that don\u2019t work properly. There are multiple causes that can lead to dry eyes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certain medications, such as some allergy medications or antidepressants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Environmental factors, such as wind, smoke, or dry climates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eye-related allergies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eye conditions like <a href=\"\/learn\/blepharitis\">blepharitis<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infrequent blinking, which may occur while a person is concentrating&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negative reaction to eye drops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vitamin A deficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apart from these causes, some people may be more likely to develop this condition than others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, many people may develop dry eyes as they age. The body naturally produces fewer tears as one gets older, so it\u2019s common for adults to experience dry eye symptoms later in life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s review some of the most common risk factors associated with dry eye syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Who Is at Risk of Having Dry Eye?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dry eye syndrome can happen to anyone, but the following individuals may have a higher risk of developing the condition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adults 50 years of age or older<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact lens wearers&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People with certain medical conditions, such as Sjogren\u2019s syndrome or lupus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People who have had refractive surgery (laser eye surgery)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smokers or people who are regularly in contact with second-hand smoke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Women<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment for Dry Eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are various <a href=\"\/learn\/how-to-treat-dry-eyes-at-home\">ways to treat dry eyes<\/a>, but artificial tears are the most common treatment method. These eye drops can lubricate and hydrate the eyes. Both over-the-counter and prescription drops are available, and it may take some trial and error to find the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/eye-drops-for-dry-eyes\">type of eye drops<\/a> that work for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If over-the-counter eye drops aren\u2019t enough, we recommend speaking with your <a href=\"\/learn\/optometrist\">optometrist<\/a> or an eye professional. They can recommend prescription eye drops, ointments, tear duct plugs (punctal plugs), supplements, or lifestyle changes to improve your condition. In more serious cases, they may also recommend surgery. However, this treatment method is particularly rare.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dry Eyes Are Treatable\u2014Talk to Your Eye Doctor Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your eyes need hydration to stay healthy, and without adequate lubrication, your dry eyes may lead to more serious health conditions. Although there is no ultimate cure, dry eye syndrome is treatable and manageable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s best to speak to your optometrist if you think you have dry eye syndrome. They can help you choose the most effective action to take, including the best eye drops for dry eyes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dry eyes are a common eye condition affecting millions of people each year. If you\u2019ve experienced dry eyes, you\u2019ve probably felt some level of discomfort because of it. Sometimes you might experience watery eyes or a scratchy sensation. And if it\u2019s not addressed, dry eye syndrome may lead to other eye issues. This article will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eye-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you think you might have dry eyes, learn more about the condition, causes, symptoms, and possible treatments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/dry-eyes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? | Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you think you might have dry eyes, learn more about the condition, causes, symptoms, and possible treatments.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/dry-eyes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-03-23T15:21:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-26T14:42:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.stage.warby.io\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dry-eyes-hero.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1166\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1166\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dr. Nikita Shah\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dr. Nikita Shah\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is Dry Eye Syndrome? 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