Dry Eyes have become a common problem among individuals and often cause serious discomfort.
One may face the condition when there is a lack of lubrication in their eyes.
People facing this condition often ask, ‘Can dehydration cause dry eyes?’
Like the popular concept, it is true that if a person is dehydrated, they are more likely to experience dry eyes.
In these cases, using eye drops to hydrate your eyes and drinking plenty of water can treat dry eye symptoms.
This article will discuss how dehydration causes dry eyes and how to treat it.
Understanding Dry Eyes
Dry eyes, also called the Dry Eye Syndrome, refer to the condition when a person cannot produce enough tears.
It may also happen due to quick evaporation of the tears or when a person is dehydrated.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) states that people may experience dry eyes due to hormonal changes.
It is present in both men and women, but women face the condition more after Menopause.
In some cases, dry weather and aging become some of the major causes of dry eyes.
Another study states that people with dry eyes may often face symptoms like stinging, burning, or red eyes.
Can Dehydration Cause Dry Eyes
According to research, dehydration can result in the development of dry eyes in an individual.
A person’s tears usually consist of three main components: water, oil, and mucus
When an individual is dehydrated, the water composition of tears gets affected, evaporating the tears quickly.
This quick evaporation leads to dry eye symptoms in an individual.
Dehydration may also affect the lacrimal glands, which are responsible for tear production.
When there is a lack of water in the body, the water is supplied to vital organs, and the tear production may be reduced.
The reduction in the tear production by the gland can also result in dry eyes.
The lesser production of tears or their quick evaporation results in dehydration, which is one of the causes of dry eyes.
Ways to Treat Dry Eyes
Source: gettyimagesSince dehydration can pose problems for one’s eyes, it is natural to ask for treatments for dry eyes.
Drinking plenty of water is the best and most natural way to deal with dehydration, the most significant cause of dry eyes.
Drinking plenty of water will ensure the water levels in the body are up, which will also maintain normal tear production.
Doctors may often suggest artificial tears in the form of hydrating eye drops.
These eye drops can retain the moisture that is lacking due to dehydration and help in the treatment.
According to a study, blocking the tear ducts can also help stop the quick evaporation of tears.
However, it is always best to consult a doctor to receive the most suitable treatment for your condition.
Besides hydrating, doctors might also prescribe dry eye medications or may suggest home remedies to manage dry eyes.
Some individuals might also improve their dry eye symptoms by taking supplements such as fish oil and vitamins.
If you want to know more about the supplements for dry eyes, read Supplements for Dry Eyes: A Comprehensive Guide to Relief.
Conclusion
A person experiences dry eyes due to a lack of tear production or its quick evaporation.
Since lack of moisture often causes dry eyes, people ask, ‘Can dehydration cause dry eyes?’
Dehydration can often affect the composition of tears, reduce their production, and also result in quick evaporation.
These effects on one’s tears often lead to dry eyes in individuals and cause discomfort.
Doctors often suggest drinking more water, using eye drops, or blocking the tear ducts to treat dry eyes due to dehydration.
If you are experiencing dry eyes, it is important to consult your doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dry eyes a symptom of dehydration?
Yes, dry eyes can be a symptom of dehydration. When a person is dehydrated, it reduces the production of tears and even affects the gland that produces tears. These often result in dry eyes, which makes dehydration and dry eyes correlated.
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Can allergy cause dry eyes?
Yes, allergies can cause dry eyes in an individual. During allergy, the production of tears reduces significantly, which causes dry eyes and may cause redness in the eyes.
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How do you tell if you’re dehydrated by your eyes?
There are several symptoms that can help a person to understand if they are dehydrated by their eyes. Dehydrated individuals are more likely to experience a burning and stinging sensation in their eyes and may also notice redness. In some cases, one may also experience blurry vision.
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How can I hydrate my dry eyes?
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to hydrate one’s eyes. The other ways include using eye drops, blocking one’s tear ducts, or blinking more than usual. Applying warm compresses to one’s eyes might also be effective in some cases.
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Can drinking more water cure dry eyes?
No, drinking more water cannot cure dry eyes, but it can be effective in its treatment. It can enhance the tear production, which helps retain the moisture in one’s eyes, thus lubricating it.
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