Have you ever woken up with dry, irritated eyes out of nowhere? One day everything is fine, and the next, you’re blinking constantly, feeling like there’s sand in your eyes, and reaching for eye drops. Sudden dry eyes can be a nuisance, but understanding the possible causes can help you find relief and prevent it from happening again.
Common causes of sudden dry eyes
Environmental factors
Environmental factors often play a significant role in causing dry eyes. For example, sudden changes in the weather, like moving from a humid to a dry climate, can make your eyes feel dry. Air conditioning and heating systems can also dry out the air, leading to dry eyes. Spending a lot of time in these environments can cause your eyes to feel dry suddenly. Additionally, exposure to wind or smoke, even briefly, can dry out your eyes quickly.
Screen time
Another common cause of dry eyes is increased screen time. When you stare at a screen, you tend to blink less frequently and not as fully, causing your tears to evaporate more quickly. If you’ve been using screens more lately, this could be why your eyes feel dry. Extended periods of reading or any activity that requires intense focus can have a similar effect. To prevent this issue, remember to take regular breaks and blink frequently.
Contact lens wear
Contact lenses can also cause dry eyes when you wear them for too long. The thin layer of the contact lens material can limit oxygen flow to the surface of your eye. Without enough oxygen, your eyes may struggle to produce tears. If you’ve started wearing your contacts more often or for longer periods, this might be the cause. Contacts can absorb the moisture in your eyes, especially if they’re not the right type or fit for you. If you’ve switched to a new brand or type of contact lens recently, this could also be contributing to the problem. It’s essential to follow your optometrist’s recommendations on how long to wear your contacts and to give your eyes a break with glasses when possible.
Medications
Many common medications, like antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and blood pressure meds, can cause dry eyes. If you’ve recently started a new medication, you may want to check if dry eyes are a side effect. Some medications can reduce tear production or alter your tear composition. If you think your medication might be the culprit, talk to your doctor. They might adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication that doesn’t have this side effect.
Hormones
Hormonal changes, especially in women during pregnancy or menopause or while using oral contraceptives, can lead to dry eyes. Changes in hormone levels can impact the quality and quantity of your tears, making your eyes feel dry. If you’ve recently gone through a significant hormonal change, this could be the reason behind your dry eyes.
Underlying health conditions
Underlying health conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, and diabetes can also cause dry eyes. These conditions can affect your tear glands and reduce tear production. If you have sudden dry eyes along with other symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare professional. Autoimmune diseases, in particular, can lead to chronic dry eye because the body’s immune system attacks its own moisture-producing glands. With the help of your doctor, you can manage these conditions and find relief from dry eye symptoms.
Allergies
Allergies can make your eyes dry and irritated, too. If your eyes feel dry at certain times of the year, it might be related to pollen or other allergens. Allergic reactions can cause inflammation, which can interfere with tear production and tear quality. If you’re allergic to dust mites, pet dander, or certain cosmetics, you might experience dry eyes more frequently. By identifying and managing your allergies with antihistamines or other treatments, you can help keep your eyes comfortable.
What to do if you experience sudden dry eyes
Here are a few tips to try if you are suddenly experiencing dry eye symptoms:
- Adjust your environment: Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially in dry climates or during winter when the heating is on.
- Take breaks from screens: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce eye strain and encourages you to blink more.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and eyes hydrated.
- Use artificial tears: Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide temporary relief by lubricating your eyes.
- Consider your medications: If you think your medication is causing dry eyes, talk to your doctor about alternatives or solutions.
- Consult an eye care professional: If dry eyes persist, visit our dry eye specialists in Reform, Northport, or Greensboro for an eye exam. We can identify the cause and recommend the right treatments.
Advanced treatments for dry eyes
If you’re struggling with sudden dry eyes, Tuscaloosa EyeCare, Pickens County EyeCare, and Hale County EyeCare offer advanced treatment options to help relieve your discomfort:
- Cynosure Icon IPL treatment: This innovative therapy uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to target inflammation and improve tear quality. It’s especially helpful if your dry eyes are caused by meibomian gland dysfunction, which happens when the tear glands in your eyelids are clogged or blocked.
- TempSure Envi: This radiofrequency treatment stimulates your meibomian glands, promoting natural tear production. It’s a comfortable, non-invasive option for enhancing your tear quality.
- TearCare®: This treatment warms and opens up the meibomian glands to restore proper oil production in your tears. It’s a great option for chronic dry eye sufferers as it addresses the root cause of the problem.
If you’re experiencing sudden dry eyes, visiting one of our eye care centers in Reform, Northport, or Greensboro can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Our advanced therapies target the underlying causes of dry eyes and provide long-lasting relief. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and get back to seeing clearly and comfortably.