What Causes Dry Eyes?

There are a wide variety of reasons why you may suffer with dry eyes.

There are lots of reasons your eyes can become dry, and often it’s a mix of more than one. The aim of our dry eye clinic in Aberdeen is to find the main cause of your discomfort, so we can treat the problem rather than just the symptoms.

Common causes of dry and watery eyes

It might seem strange, but dry eye is one of the most common reasons for watery eyes. When your tears aren’t the right quality, your eyes produce extra watery tears to compensate.

The most common causes include:

Ageing
Hormonal changes, especially in women
Blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
Dry environments, such as heated or air-conditioned rooms
Long periods of screen or computer use
Systemic conditions such as arthritis
Certain medications
Wearing contact lenses
LASIK surgery
Diet

Previous eye injuries can also play a part, as can problems with the eyelids that stop you blinking fully and spreading tears across the eye.

When should you book a dry eye assessment?

If your eyes regularly feel gritty, sore, tired or watery, or eye drops from the chemist aren’t helping, it’s worth having them properly assessed. Have a look at the common symptoms of dry eyes to see if any sound familiar.

Once we know what’s causing your dry eye, we can recommend the right dry eye treatments, including IPL for blepharitis and MGD.

Looking to make an appointment? Book online or contact us.

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