What is dry eye syndrome, and how to manage it?

Question

Hello doctor,

My eyes are constantly itching, and I do not even realize it. I keep scratching them while I am at work. They are always red-rimmed too; it is super irritating. One of my colleagues mentioned something about dry eye syndrome. Is that what this could be?

I have never even thought of it being an actual condition. Is this something that can be fixed with medicine, or will it just go away on its own?

It is starting to affect my day-to-day life because I am always rubbing my eyes, and it is hard to focus.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Based on the symptoms, you are describing it is possible that you could be experiencing dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes feeling dry, irritated, and itchy. It is common if you spend a lot of time looking at screens in air-conditioned environments or have allergies.

Common symptoms include:

Itching and redness.
A gritty or burning sensation in the eyes.
Blurry vision or difficulty focusing.
Watery eyes.

Rule out Allergies. This is true if your symptoms get worse in certain environments (e.g., outdoors or near dust).

Blepharitis: This is an inflammation of the eyelids, which can cause itching and redness around the rim of the eyes.

Dry eye syndrome is treatable. I would suggest you do the following:

Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears).
Apply a warm compress to your eyes.
Take frequent breaks from screens.
Blink more often.
Try to reduce your exposure to dry environments (like air-conditioned or heated spaces).
Using a humidifier can help add moisture to the air.

A physical examination by an eye doctor.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards.