Dry, irritated eyes can feel like a significant inconvenience. But for many people, this discomfort does more than just bother them—it can throw off an entire day. From reading to working, even the smallest tasks become frustrating. But how much can they actually affect you?
When your eyes aren’t properly hydrated, this can lead to strain. Your entire visual system needs to work harder to keep itself protected. That strain can create tension, which might result in headaches. It’s a frustrating cycle, but with proper care, you can take steps to find relief.
What Is Dry Eye?
Your eyes rely on a tear film to keep them protected. This is a core part of your entire visual system—it’s a shield of sorts for your eyes.
However, this tear film needs a balance of 3 layers to function properly. It needs:
- Mucous, to keep the film attached to the eye
- Water, to flush away contaminants and hydrate the eye
- Oils, to protect the outer layer with a smooth, clear surface that prevents evaporation
When these layers are imbalanced, it causes a condition called dry eye disease. This is a common eye condition, but it can be extremely frustrating.
The Types of Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye syndrome can be broken down into 2 categories:
- Aqueous-deficiency dry eye. This happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep the surface of your eyes hydrated.
- Evaporative dry eye. This develops when there aren’t enough oils for the tears. This means the tears evaporate too quickly, often due to blockages or malfunctioning oil glands in your eyelids.
Both types can leave your eyes feeling dry, gritty, and uncomfortable. They can be temporary or chronic, depending on the specific underlying cause.
Dry Eye Symptoms & Headaches
Dry eyes reveal themselves in more ways than one—and sometimes, they’re easier to mistake for other conditions. Typically, you can recognize dry eye disease by:
- A stinging, burning, or scratchy feeling in the eyes.
- Red, irritated eyes.
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light.
- A sensation that something is in your eye.
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses.
These symptoms occur because the eyes aren’t getting the moisture and lubrication they need. And when other factors are at play, they can become much worse.
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eye disease can develop as a result of all kinds of factors. Environmental, medical, and lifestyle factors all play a role. It tends to develop due to:
- Aging, as tear production often decreases with age.
- Environmental factors, like dry air, windy weather, or prolonged time staring at digital screens.
- Certain medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Side effects of medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, or birth control.
- Contact lens usage, which can reduce the flow of oxygen to your eyes.
- Hormonal changes, including those from pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal therapy.
Determining the specific cause is the first step toward finding relief.
The Link Between Dry Eyes & Headaches
Dry eye disease and headaches are often connected. However, one doesn’t always cause the other—they tend to develop as a response to similar situations.
Plenty of different factors cause dry eyes. These can all put additional strain on your visual system, and this can create tension around your eyes. Eventually, you may notice discomfort and sore feelings in your eyes and temples, which then creates headaches.
Meanwhile, there may be a link between dry eyes and migraines. People with migraines are almost 20% more likely to develop dry eyes as well. While this is not yet fully understood, it’s believed to be due to specific cells in the retina and the optic nerve triggering other symptoms.
Fortunately, dry eye disease is a highly treatable condition. It all starts with a visit to your Optometrist.
How to Treat Dry Eyes
If dry eyes are making your day-to-day more complicated, it’s time to act. These small changes can make a significant impact on your eye health. To find relief, try to:
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry environments.
- Wear sunglasses when outside to protect your eyes from wind and sunlight exposure.
- Apply warm compresses to your eyelids to help clean and stimulate your oil glands.
- Use over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops for added hydration.
If your symptoms stick around or get worse, don’t ignore them. Your optometrist can help through in-office dry eye treatments like IPL and RF.
What Is IPL for Dry Eye?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to target the root cause of dry eye disease. It gently applies pulses of light to the skin around your eyelids. This then stimulates the oil-producing glands in your eyelids to encourage healthier tear production.
IPL is entirely safe and extremely effective. Most people notice relief after just a few sessions, making it a popular choice for treating dry eyes. Your optometrist can assess your tear film to find out if IPL is right for you, then create a treatment plan to help you get the results you deserve.
What Is RF for Dry Eye?
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy is another innovative, non-invasive option for dry eyes. This therapy uses gentle radiofrequency energy to treat dry eyes. This energy warms the tissues around your eyes, which then activates your glands to produce more oils in your tears.
This technique is entirely painless and requires no downtime. Each session lasts just 10-15 minutes, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. Plus, most patients notice immediate relief after just one treatment. RF is helpful for people dealing with long-term dry eyes and discomfort that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Don’t Deal With Dry Eyes—We Can Help
Dry eyes aren’t just annoying. They get in the way of your everyday comfort, and can lead to all kinds of other problems. If you frequently deal with dry eyes and headaches, come visit our team at Bonavista, Olds, Carstairs, and Sundre Eye Care. We’re here to help you find relief, so book an appointment with us today!
