What Is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eyes affect approximately 30% of all Canadians. They are most common in people who:
- Are older than 50
- Are women
- Are on specific medications (including some SSRIs, antihistamines, and antidepressants)
- Have specific medical conditions (including Hepatitis C, androgen insufficiency, vitamin A deficiency, or specific vascular diseases)
- Have had specific medical procedures (including radiation therapy, postmenopausal estrogen treatments, corneal surgery, or specific stem cell treatments)
Some risk factors can cause dry eyes by altering your meibomian glands, which produce an oil that keeps the tear film stable. Without this oil, your tears can evaporate faster than usual and leave your eyes dry.
What Symptoms Come with Dry Eyes?
- Eyes that burn or sting
- Feeling like something is “stuck” in your eyes (foreign object sensation)
- Eyes that water too much
- Skin that turns red around the eyes
- Tired eyes, even after sleeping