If you find yourself wiping away tears regularly, you might not think that dry eyes are to blame – but it’s likely the cause, and the cure can be as simple as wearing sunglasses, even on a cloudy winter day.

Dry eyes are becoming more common, despite the recurring problem affecting up to 30 percent of people over 50. A recent survey of 2,000 people by eye care specialist Tia UK found a 19% increase in the number of diagnosed dry eyes in the past 12 months.

As well as a bad feeling, dry eyes – on the contrary – lead to excessive production of tears, which is an organism that tries to regenerate the surface of the eye.

And while for some it’s just a minor irritation, severe cases can lead to vision loss and irreversible eye damage, says consultant ophthalmologist Alex Ionides at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Dry eyes are becoming more common, despite the recurring problem affecting up to 30 percent of people over 50. According to a recent survey of 2,000 people by eye care specialist Tia Kingdom, the number of people diagnosed with dry eyes increased by 19% in the past 12 months.

Dry eyes become more common with age because ‘from the age of 50 onwards, the meibomian glands do not produce enough sebum to fully coat the cornea, so the tears are unsealed and more likely to evaporate,’ explains Mr Ioannides.

The eyes are often coated with a tear film: the first layer that Mr. Ionides likens to a ‘clear slime’ that covers the cornea. [the clear outer surface of the eye] wash with liquid’

On top of this mucosal ‘slime’ is a layer of aqueous tears. It has antibacterial properties and helps to keep the cornea in good health. On top of it, a layer of sebum produced by the meibomian glands (tiny glands under the eyelids), seals in moisture and prevents evaporation.

Dry eyes become more common with age because ‘from the age of 50, the meibomian glands do not produce enough sebum to fully coat the cornea, meaning the tears are unsealed and more likely to evaporate,’ explains Mr Jonides.

People who have had laser eye surgery may also develop dry eyes because the procedure reduces the nerve impulses on the surface of the eye that normally need to produce tears.

Nigel Kirkpatrick, consultant ophthalmologist at NewMedica, a chain of NHS and private eye clinics, says this is common during menopause.

Falling estrogen causes the mucous membranes to dry out and the glands to secrete much-needed watery fluids. This can make the eyes hurt and burn and look red.’

But why are dry eyes so common? This is partly due to air conditioning and central heating (increasing evaporation) and the fact that we spend longer looking at screens because when we do so we tend to blink a bit and the flickering moisture spreads over the surrounding surface. eye

But contact lens wear is to blame, as it causes more of your tear film to evaporate. “Contact lenses float partially submerged in the tear film, which can disrupt the delicate moisture balance, leading to increased evaporation,” says Mr. Ioannides.

People who have had laser eye surgery also develop dry eye because the procedure reduces the nerve impulses on the surface of the eye that would normally produce tears.

Dry eyes can also affect vision. “The tear film is the first surface to hit when light enters the eye,” Mr. Ioannides said. “If it is of poor quality, the image can be blurred, and if the cornea is not washed with enough tears, it will be uncomfortable and sensitive to light.”

“If left untreated, severe dry eye can lead to inflammation of the tissues around the eye, erosion of the corneal surface and corneal ulceration,” says Mr Kirkpatrick. ‘In the worst case it can lead to vision loss.’

The eyes are often coated with a tear film: the first layer that Mr. Ionides likens to a ‘clear slime’ that covers the cornea. [the clear outer surface of the eye] Flushing’ On top of this mucosal ‘slime’ is a layer of aqueous tears. It has antibacterial properties and helps to keep the cornea in good health. On top of that is the upper layer of sebum produced by the meibomian glands (tiny glands in the eyelids), which seal in moisture and prevent it from evaporating.

Mild cases may respond well to a warm flannel over the eyes. “The heat melts the sebaceous glands in the meibomian glands, making them more fluid, and gently massaging your eyes helps empty the contents of the glands into the cornea to replenish the outer layer of sebaceous glands,” says Mr. Ionedes.

And when you’re out on a cold, windy day (regardless of the sun), wearing sunglasses will limit the evaporation of your tears.

Sunglasses, like glasses, create a pocket of warm, moist air in front of the eyes, protecting them from the evaporating effects of the wind.

And don’t forget to blink. “During periods of intense concentration, the eyes blink unconsciously, preventing them from seeing the complex task at hand,” Mr Ioannides said. But this will allow more time for the tears to evaporate.’

Taking a break from wearing contact lenses can also help if your eyes are dry, says Mr. Ioannides.

‘If you stop wearing them for a week or so, dry eye symptoms often disappear as the corneal film returns to its normal composition and structure.’

When it comes to eye drops, most chemicals contain polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, which coat the eye and prevent the tear film from evaporating.

Ophthalmologists recommend choosing ‘preservative-free’ ones to avoid chemicals that can irritate already irritated eyes.