FYi Doctors

Why are my eyes so dry?

Dry eyes is a very complex problem with many different symptoms, causes and treatments.

I have had people come into my clinic with complaints ranging from blurred vision to tearing to pain. All of these symptoms can be experienced with dryness!

There is a clear tissue at the front of your eye called the cornea that is filled with nerves in it and on top of that there are multiple layers of tears. Anything that disrupts the tear film or damages the cornea will trigger the nerves which makes you feel pain, causes reflexive tearing and fluctuating blurriness.

The current cold and windy weather, along with the dry air from heaters, causes the tears to evaporate faster making all symptoms worse.

Dry eyes can also be caused by things like medications, certain medical conditions, blocked tear glands or even just too much screen time! (We tend to blink less frequently and fully when looking at a screen.) So what can we do?

Treatment depends on the cause which is why visiting a local optometrist will help you discover the most effective way to care for your eyes. Artificial tears, hot compresses, omega 3 supplements, medicated eye drops and lid wipes are all common treatments but will vary for each person.

One easy change we can all make to help our eyes is to take breaks from extended screen time and follow the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look at the distance and blink 20 times! Dr. Terynn Chan

4508 Dunbar Street Vancouver, BC V6S 2G6 604-739-2022

www.fyidoctors.com