Do Your Eyes Feel Dry After Watching TV or Browsing YouTube? Here’s Why and What You Can Do About It


Have you ever been watching TV or scrolling through YouTube, only to find that after a while, your eyes start to feel dry? You’re not alone. Many of us have turned to Dr. Google for a quick fix, and often the suggestion is to use eye drops or artificial tears. But if you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed that while eye drops may provide some initial relief, the dryness often returns. Why is that?

In this article, we’ll explore why our eyes feel dry in the first place, whether eye drops are actually effective, and when they might not be the best solution.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Our eyes are naturally covered with a thin layer of tears, which helps protect and maintain the eye's surface. However, sometimes we don’t have enough of this protective liquid, leading to a gritty, uncomfortable sensation known as "dry eye." Dry eyes can make your eyes appear red, cause blurry vision, and even create a burning sensation.

To understand dry eyes better, it’s helpful to divide them into two categories:

  1. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye: This occurs when the eyes do not produce enough of the watery component of tears. Several factors can contribute to this, including aging, certain surgeries, autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic medications such as antihistamines and beta-blockers.

  2. Evaporative Dry Eye: This is the more common form, where the eyes produce enough tears, but they evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness.

Both types can occur on a spectrum and even coexist, but they result in the same outcome: the eyes produce poor-quality tears, which aren’t enough to keep them comfortable.

Why Eye Drops Might Not Be Enough

It’s easy to assume that the solution to dry eyes is simply to add more moisture with eye drops. After all, if the eyes are dry, adding liquid seems like a logical fix. But it’s not always that simple.

Dry eyes often have an underlying cause, such as exposure to irritants (like dust, pollen, or smoke), insufficient blinking (especially when using computers), contact lens overwear, or excessive eye rubbing. These triggers lead to symptoms like pain, blurry vision, stinging, and watering.

If we don’t address these underlying causes, using eye drops alone may only provide temporary relief. For lasting comfort, it’s essential to identify and manage the root causes of dry eyes. This might mean wearing protective eyewear to block irritants, being mindful of blinking more when using a computer, or avoiding habits that can worsen dryness.

How to Improve Tear Quality

Once we’ve addressed the causes of dry eyes, the next step is to encourage the eyes to produce their own natural tears. Protecting the ocular surface from exposure to air and irritants is crucial. When the protective barriers of the eyes are compromised, the cornea sends signals of discomfort, which can worsen the condition.

One effective way to improve tear quality is to stimulate the meibomian glands, which produce the oil layer of tears. Here’s how you can do it:

  • Warm Compresses: Heat a wheat bag in the microwave to about 40°C (or as hot as your hands can handle) and apply it to your eyes for about 5 minutes. This helps open up the meibomian glands.
  • Gentle Massage: After warming the eyes, gently massage the eyelids to squeeze out any blockages in these glands.

Another approach is to adjust your diet. Consuming too much pro-inflammatory omega-6 oils, compared to anti-inflammatory omega-3s, can affect tear production. Omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil (about 2,000 mg daily for three months), have shown benefits in improving tear quality.

When Eye Drops Are Necessary

Even after addressing the causes and improving natural tear production, there are times when dry eyes persist. If you work in a dusty environment or are on medications that you can't change, eye drops can help minimize dryness. Here’s how they can be useful:

  • Flushing Out Irritants: If you know irritants like dust or pollen are getting into your eyes and you can’t avoid them, eye drops can help wash them out.
  • Adding Extra Moisture: For those who spend a lot of time in front of screens, where blinking less frequently is common, eye drops can provide additional moisture.
  • Compensating for Tear Deficiency: If your eyes aren’t producing enough tears despite your best efforts, eye drops can help supplement the deficiency.

Conclusion

Eye drops are designed to restore the chemical balance of the eyes, but they aren’t a cure-all. They work best when you understand the root causes of your dry eyes and address those issues first. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult with an optometrist. They can provide a proper diagnosis and tailor a treatment plan for the best outcome.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below. And if you found this article helpful, give it a thumbs up! Don't forget to subscribe for more tips and advice on eye health. 

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