Dry eyes can be painful and uncomfortable, making it difficult to work and enjoy your leisure and family time. Here are some of the causes of dry eyes and how to prevent them, so you can go back to enjoying travel and spending quality time with family or friends, without experiencing discomfort.
Wearing contact lenses
Wearing contact lenses too often can be one of the causes of dry eyes. If you feel like giving your eyes a break, you can try glasses for a while. With Ray-Ban glasses, you don’t have to compromise on appearance. There are so many stylish pairs to choose from. So, you can give your eyes a rest from contact lenses and still look great.
Menopause
If you’re a woman, there’s no escaping menopause, but you can reduce your chances of getting dry eyes because of this. Some ways to reduce your risk include avoiding anything you have an allergic reaction to, which you probably do anyway. You can also switch from contact lenses to glasses, avoid air conditioning wherever possible, and try minimising your exposure to the dry winter air. This doesn’t mean life has to stop. Being outdoors is more beneficial to your overall health, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors, eye protection can help. You can also get medication prescribed from your doctor, or over-the-counter medications.
Side effects of drugs or treatments
If you take antihistamines for allergies, these can have side effects, causing dry eyes. While it’s important to protect yourself against allergies, you should see your doctor or speak to a pharmacist if you experience dry eyes. They may be able to prescribe or suggest treatment or look at alternatives to protect against allergies, so the medication doesn’t cause dry eyes.
Avoid overusing eye drops. These can help a little, but if used excessively can be bad for your eyes.
Other drugs or treatments which can cause dry eyes include those prescribed for high blood pressure, birth control pills, antidepressants, acne treatments and decongestants.
Health conditions
Dry eyes can be a symptom of several health conditions including diabetes, lupus, arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. If your eyes are sore and red or causing you pain, you need to speak with a doctor or pharmacist before stopping or changing medications, as this could harm your eyes or aggravate other health conditions.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you can ask for recommendations on protecting your eyes from the elements. Safety glasses can help, or snow goggles if taking part in outdoor sporting activities. Alternatively, prescription sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun, or regular glasses can offer some protection against the elements of the outdoors compared to not wearing anything to protect your eyes.
If you suffer from dry eyes, this doesn’t mean you should give up all the outdoor activities you enjoy. With the right balance of medications, or treatments and protection for your eyes, you can still live your life to the full. Dry eyes are treatable, but prevention is better than cure.
