Why do my eyes sometimes feel tired and dry?
March 16, 2022 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Andreas Wagner
Dear ophthalmologist,
My name is Emma Schwaru and I have a question regarding my eyes. Lately, I have noticed that my eyes often feel tired and dry. This occurs especially when I work on the computer for extended periods of time or when I am in dry environments. I feel a slight burning and itching sensation, sometimes even mild pain. This condition is causing me great concern as I am worried it could be a sign of a more serious eye disease.
I have already tried to regularly hydrate my eyes and take breaks while working on the screen, but the symptoms persist. I do not wear contact lenses and do not have any previous eye conditions. I work in an office with air conditioning, therefore spending a lot of time in a dry work environment.
Could my symptoms indicate a serious issue with my eyes? What could be the cause of the dry and tired feeling in my eyes? Are there any possible treatments or measures I can take to relieve my eyes and alleviate the symptoms?
I would greatly appreciate your assessment and recommendations as these discomforts greatly affect my daily life. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Emma Schwaru
Dear Mrs. Schwaru,
Thank you for your detailed description of your symptoms. It is understandable that you are concerned when your eyes are dry, tired, and irritated. These symptoms can have various causes, but in most cases, it is known as "Dry Eye Syndrome." This is a common condition caused by inadequate tear production or faster evaporation of tears.
Dry Eye Syndrome is particularly common in people who work long hours on screens or in dry environments, such as in your air-conditioned office. Screen work leads to less blinking, which can result in faster evaporation of tears and dry eyes. The dry air in air-conditioned spaces exacerbates this effect.
There are various measures you can take to alleviate your symptoms. Firstly, it is important to take regular breaks and rest your eyes, especially during screen work. Blink consciously more often to stimulate tear production and moisten the eyes. Also, regularly use artificial tears or eye drops to moisturize and soothe your eyes.
It may also be helpful to increase the humidity in your work environment by using a humidifier. Additionally, avoid drafts and direct contact with smoke or dust, as these can worsen the symptoms. It may also be beneficial to adjust your diet to include foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, as these have anti-inflammatory properties and can support tear production.
If these measures are not sufficient to alleviate your symptoms, I recommend scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist near you. The ophthalmologist can thoroughly examine your eyes and recommend other treatment options such as special eye drops or, in some cases, medication.
I hope this information is helpful to you and that you will soon experience relief from your symptoms. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if you have any further questions or uncertainties.
Best regards,
Andreas Wagner, Ophthalmologist
