If you have ever woken up with itchy eyes, burning and tearing, you may be suffering from a disease called syndrome of Dry Eye. This is a very disabling disease that requires a lot of care from the patient to compensate for the lack of ocular lubrication.
The hormonal changes, the use of contact lenses, digital screens, heating or air conditioning are the most common causes of dry eyes when waking up.
When dry eyes manifest as a recurrent discomfort, it is advisable to see an ophthalmologist who is an expert in dry eyes to determine the cause and prevent major long-term complications.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eyes, so we are going to explain what you should do if you have dry eyes when you wake up. Keep reading!
Why do you have dry eyes when you wake up?
To know how the entire ocular hydration system works, it is essential to understand the function of tears.
These are responsible for keeping the eye moist in order to remove residues of the ocular structure, protect the cornea and improve refractive quality.
In addition, the tear is produced in the tear glands and they are composed of three fundamental ingredients:
- mucinous component which is responsible for preserving the adherence of the tear to the corneal surface. It also traps and removes debris, cells, and microorganisms.
- aqueous component that nourishes the cornea and ensures its immunity.
- Lipid component Contains fatty acids produced by Meibomian glands. This ingredient is responsible for keeping the aqueous layer intact for as long as possible and prevents the tear from evaporating prematurely.
Dry eye syndrome is caused by two factors:
- Not enough tear production in the eye.
- The composition of the tear film not good quality.
This means that the lacrimal glands are not producing enough tears or that the meibomian glands are not providing enough lipid component. to achieve the ideal composition of the tear film.
During sleep, Eyelids They remain motionless for many hours. Therefore, if the eye does not have enough good quality tear, there is greater difficulty for the tear to circulate and hydrate the entire structure.
In addition to the absence of blinking during sleep, there are factors such as heating and air conditioning that decrease the humidity in the room and further promote the vicious circle of dry eye.
What treatment do I need?
When a person suffers from dry eye, they start experiencing very annoying symptoms such as eye pain when waking up, irritation, tearing and even discomfort when blinking.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We are aware that dry eye is one of the most annoying and disabling eye diseases.
For that reason, we take care to thoroughly examine the structure of our patients and try different types of treatment. that, according to degree of drynessoffer the best possible quality of life.
There is no definitive treatment for dry eye. In general terms, to combat the first stages of dry eye, we usually prescribe artificial tears and special eye drops that help keep the eye lubricated.
In many patients, the use of eye drops is not enough to treat dry eye and it is necessary to evaluate other treatment options such as the use of autologous serum.
This serum is obtained from the patient's blood and, thanks to its content in platelets and growth factors, it helps to hydrate and nourish the ocular structure.
Currently, there are many dry eye treatments and our ophthalmology center is one of the centers with the widest range of treatment combinations to combat it. They stand out among them:
- Microexfoliation of the eyelid margin.
- Unplugging and probing of blocked meibomian glands in the operating room
- surgical treatment for possible conditions that may be interfering with the correct and constant blinking (lagophthalmos). People who do not completely close their eyelids are candidates for this surgery.
- Lacrimal plugs and implants to retain the tear film inside the eye longer.
- Creation of drops of the patient's own blood to maximize its compatibility with our eye.
- ENDORET: Plasma-rich dry eye drops.
- Thermaeye Pulsed Light to activate the meibomian glands.
Dry eye is a progressive disease that gets worse over time. For that reason, it is very important to avoid exposure and contact with certain factors that stimulate dry eyes.
These small actions will help us prevent dry eye when waking up:
- Apply artificial tears before bed to prevent dry eyes upon waking.
- Wear approved sunglasses.
- Avoid using digital screens for a long time.
- Use a humidifier to maintain humidity in your home and especially in your bedroom.
- Wear sunglasses whenever you go outsideeven on rainy or cloudy days.
- Consider the option of replacing your contact lenses with glasses.
- Do not skip any medical check-up with your ophthalmologist.
- Maintain a diet rich in antioxidants and omega 3 fatty oils.
Do I have to go to the ophthalmologist if I have dry eyes when I wake up?
if you haven't been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome and you are experiencing dry eyes when you wake up, important that you go to the ophthalmologist to examine your visual health.
Dry eye syndrome is a disease that can trigger many complications in the ocular structure if it is not treated correctly.
In case the trouble is persistent or you feel that the current treatment no longer offers you the expected effect, see your ophthalmologist immediately.
Finally, remember that regular medical visits and eye check-ups are essential to prevent corneal injuries, decrease in visual acuity and even partial loss of vision.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We have the best dry eye specialists. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need more information or wish to schedule a medical appointment with one of our specialists. We will wait for you!
