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Are Your Eyes Feeling Itchy, Burning Or Watery? You May Have Dry Eye
Dry eye is a common eye condition that can cause itchy, stinging eyes, and can be made worse by looking at screens for too long. (Shutterstock)
The Dose21:34What should I know about dry eye?
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It's a complex condition that affects roughly one-fifth of Canadians — and that number is growing, including among young people.
Dry eye can range from mild to severe, and experts say it can have a big impact on someone's overall health and quality of life.
Dry eye happens when the surface of the eye isn't well-lubricated. That can be because you don't produce enough tears, in what's called aqueous deficient dry eye, or because the tears evaporate too quickly — that's called evaporative dry eye.
"It's really the surface of your eye that doesn't have good-quality tear film, which is really important for comfort and for vision," said ophthalmologist Dr. Johanna Choremis, an associate professor at the University of Montreal and assistant professor at McGill University.
Preservative-free eye drops are the first-line treatment for dry eye, say experts. (Shutterstock)The eye's tear film is made up of three layers: an oily outer layer that keeps the tears from drying up, a watery middle layer that keeps the eye wet, and an inner mucus layer that helps the film stick to the eye.
"We need all those three layers to be working properly to have a good tear film," Choremis told Dr. Brian Goldman, the host of CBC's The Dose.
What does dry eye feel like?The numerous symptoms of dry eye include eyes that feel irritated, itchy or gritty, being sensitive to light, and blurred vision.
Not everyone will be sensitive to the effects of dry eye, said Choremis.
"Sometimes we see very, very dry eyes on an exam and then the patient says, 'I don't really feel much,'" she said.
One symptom that may seem counterintuitive is having watery eyes, said Dr. Irene Mestito-Dao, an optometrist in Winnipeg.
"Excessive tearing actually happens because your corneas are so dry and so irritated that a reflex tear occurs," said Mestito-Dao.
"The cornea signals your brain that, 'We're way too dry, send some water to us,' and then it overwaters the eye."
Those excess tears can't properly coat your eye because they evaporate too quickly.
Optometrist Rana Taji gives Marcantonio Profiti, 8, an eye exam at her clinic in Toronto in 2023. Experts say it's important to regularly see an optometrist to prevent and treat dry eye. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)Experts said that dry eye needs to be taken seriously, as it can severely affect a person's well-being.
"We hear about people having depression and being almost suicidal sometimes," said Choremis.
"It's rare, but it does happen."
Who is at risk for dry eye?Dry eye is more common as you age and more prevalent among women, particularly once they've gone through menopause.
The reasons why postmenopausal women are more at risk are unclear, said Dr. Allan Slomovic, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto.
After menopause, women often see a decrease in testosterone levels, but using eye drops containing testosterone to treat dry eye on those women hasn't been effective, he said.
The condition is growing among all demographics, most likely due to increased time spent on screens, experts said.
"The more close-up work you do, the less you blink," said Slomovic, and the less you blink, the more quickly your tears evaporate.
Dry eye in young peopleThe amount of time kids spend on screens is likely contributing to an increase in dry eye among those 18 and under, experts said.
"When I was young, we didn't have phones," said Choremis. "My son had a phone in Grade 6."
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends no screen time for kids under age two, less than one hour a day for ages two to five, and no more than two hours of recreational screen time a day for those between age five and 18.
For many families, however, that's just not realistic, experts said.
"I guarantee you if you go to any household, there's kids that are staring at screens more than that — either at school or at home," said Mestito-Dao.
Experts recommend taking frequent breaks from screens to do other activities so your eyes can have a rest.
They also recommend practicing the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet (six metres) into the distance for 20 seconds.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends one hour of screen time or less for kids ages two to five. (Luke MacGregor/Reuters)The increase of dry eye in youth could also be due to environmental factors such as air conditioning or air pollutants, said Choremis.
Beyond screen time, many factors can cause dry eye, including autoimmune disorders, wearing contact lenses, any kind of refractive eye surgery, and certain medications.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and air pollutants such as wildfire smoke can also increase the incidence of dry eye, said Mestito-Dao and Choremis.
How can I prevent dry eye?Potential ways to help prevent developing dry eye include running a humidifier in your home or workplace if it's dry, eating well, drinking plenty of water, getting good-quality sleep, and taking an omega-3 supplement.
The science on omega-3s for dry eye is still inconclusive, said Slomovic, but he has had patients who said they benefited from taking it.
The first-line therapy for dry eye is artificial tears, or eye drops, said Choremis. She and Slomovic recommended finding a product that is preservative-free, as preservatives can also irritate the eyes.
Other options include ointments and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
WATCH / How screen time in affecting kids' eye health:
Screen time is wrecking our vision, but there are ways to stop itFor evaporative dry eye, hot compresses on the eyelids can help, as well as cleaning your eyelids with special wipes or cleaners frequently to reduce bacteria, said experts.
For more severe cases, treatments include punctal plugs, which are tiny devices that an optometrist or ophthalmologist can insert in the eyelids that block tear drainage.
There are also options for light therapy or heat and pressure therapy that targets the eyelids.
"We do need better treatments," said Choremis. "Some of these more severe cases, you go through all these things and sometimes it's hard to find something that will help the patient."
If you don't treat dry eye, it will get worse over time, Choremis said, so it's important to see your optometrist if you notice any symptoms.
Dry eye is a chronic condition, so patients need to accept that treatment will continue for the rest of your life, experts said.
"It's sort of a change in lifestyle," said Mestito-Dao. "You can't just do a treatment for a month and then think that you're cured."
Doctors Reveal Reason Why You Shouldn't Rub Your Eyes
Published 17:00 14 Jun 2024 GMT+1
We've all been there, perfectly done makeup and then you feel that annoying twitch in the corner of your eye and you're desperate to rub it.
It's not just a bad idea because you'll smudge your makeup, but it can also be a health risk. In fact, doctors actively warn against rubbing your eyes, and for one specific medical reason.
Watch the video here:
Feeling the need to rub your eyes can be as simple as you've got dirt or dust in your eye or on your eyelash causing an irritation, but can also be an underlying sign of eye health too.
According to Healthline, your eye rubbing can have an underlying cause as the website states: "Rubbing your eyes can mean many things. You might have an eye infection, allergies, or another health condition."
Infections like conjunctivitis can make us want to scratch our eyes, and whilst this infection is quite common and not usually very serious, it's the itchiness that can be the most annoying symptom.
It can be so tempting and satisfying to rub your eyes but it can result in more issues. (Getty Images)Conjunctivitis is contagious though, so it's important not to try and itch our eyes as it can mean spreading the infection.
Allergies and conditions like hay fever can also result in itchy eyes as a symptom, which can usually be treated by taking antihistamines.
Other conditions that can result in itchy eyes include eye strain, which can arise from looking at something like a phone or computer screen for too long, as well as dry eyes, which is when your eyes haven't produced enough tears to keep them lubricated, resulting in dry and often itchy eyes.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Imane Tarib has also warned about the dangers of eye rubbing on TikTok, as she told the social media platform that eye rubbing can cause conditions like keratoconus as well as making symptoms like dark circles, wrinkles and bloodshot eyes worse.
If you absolutely must rub your eyes, the safest way to do it is with clean fingers and rubbing around the eye instead of direct contact. (Westend61)In her TikTok clip, which has had over 19.9 million views, she showed viewers how if you absolutely can't help the itching, then how to do it safely. Dr Tarib's advice is to avoid direct contact and instead use the soft tip of a finger around the eyeball to relieve the itching. Also it's important to do it with clean and washed fingers, to prevent any infection or contamination.
If you do rub your eyes and start to experience any symptoms such as eye pain, light sensitivity, reduced or blurry vision, redness or inflammation or feelings of nausea and fatigue then seek medical help right away as it could be a sign of damage to the eye.
Featured Image Credit: Westend61/Getty ImagesTopics: Health, Life
How Antihistamines May Help Take The Itch Out Of Eczema
Unbearably itchy skin is a very common eczema symptom. Nonetheless, scratching only makes the skin condition worse and invites infection, according to Harvard Health Publishing. When itching is very troublesome, eczema treatment often includes oral antihistamines (along with other medications). Antihistamines are drugs used to stop the itch-scratch cycle of eczema that can bother you in the day and even keep you up at night.
"While antihistamines won't stop the eczema flare-ups from happening, they will help to relieve some of the itchiness, and itchiness is the No. 1 complaint I hear from my patients with eczema," says Debra Wattenberg, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York City.
Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common type of eczema, according to the National Eczema Association, and is considered similar to an allergic condition.
In the case of allergies, the body mistakes harmless substances like pollen or dust mites as a threat and releases histamine, an immune system protein that helps protect cells from infection, to fight them off, according to the Mayo Clinic. Allergic symptoms like itchy eyes and skin can result.
Antihistamine drugs are often used to treat allergic conditions. They block the effects of histamine to provide relief, per the Cleveland Clinic. Some individuals are sensitive to the sedative effects of first-generation antihistamines and prefer second-generation antihistamines.
Antihistamines "are the only oral medications we have to treat itching," says Suephy Chen, MD, a dermatologist and the chair of the department of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. But, she explains, they work differently when used as an eczema treatment.
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Antihistamines as a Treatment for Eczema"Eczema is not really a histamine problem, but antihistamines do seem to have some effect. The sedating effect is helpful because scratching always makes eczema worse. So if the medications keep people from scratching, indirectly they can help eczema," Dr. Chen says, adding that antihistamines are still not as effective as we would like in treating the itch of eczema.
In general, there are two types of oral antihistamines on the market: first-generation antihistamines and second-generation antihistamines. First-generation drugs, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), affect the brain and can cause side effects like drowsiness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
These sedating antihistamines are most beneficial as a treatment for eczema, especially if the eczema symptom of itchy skin is keeping you from sleeping, says Dr. Wattenberg. And getting a good night's sleep promotes healing and is beneficial for the immune system, according to the nonprofit Allergy & Asthma Network. When taken as directed, first-generation antihistamines are safe, even for children, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, though it's important to talk to your child's doctor first.
One note about first-generation antihistamines: long-term use, particularly among senior citizens, may increase the risk of dementia, according to one study. However, further studies are needed. If you are concerned about dementia, second-generation antihistamines (those that do not cross into the brain) are safe, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Because second-generation antihistamines don't have an effect on the brain, they also won't make you sleepy. So, Chen says, as a treatment for eczema, second-generation drugs are "even less likely to work because of the nonsedating properties." Second-generation antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), the Cleveland Clinic notes.
Whether you're taking a first- or second-generation variety, just don't get your hopes up too high. When it comes to using antihistamines to help with eczema, they aren't a cure-all. "Antihistamines won't prevent flare-ups because they don't target the actual root of the disease, but they do help with the itch, which could allow your flare-up to heal faster," says Wattenberg.
RELATED: Your Everyday Guide to Living Well With Eczema
Side Effects of Antihistamines as Treatment for EczemaBecause first-generation drugs are sedating, here are some side effects you need to watch out for, according to the NHS in the United Kingdom, especially if you're taking them at times besides before bed:
Common side effects also include dry mouth, dizziness, and decreased appetite, according to MedlinePlus. First-generation antihistamines may not be right for you. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these medical conditions:
Many first-generation antihistamines are available without a prescription at your local drugstore, says Wattenberg. Prices vary, but at one nationwide drugstore chain, a box of 24 Benadryl Allergy Liqui-Gels cost less than $8. Store brands with the same active ingredients are generally less expensive. Ask your doctor about what would be best for you, suggests Wattenberg.
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Taking Care of Your EczemaStopping itchy eczema symptoms as soon as possible is essential to managing the condition. Sticking to your medications is very important.
"I recommend taking antihistamines in conjunction with topical steroids to improve the skin health," says Wattenberg; she also advises against topical antihistamines, which she says may actually irritate your eczema. Your doctor might suggest a corticosteroid cream, which is a topical steroid that's often a go-to treatment for eczema, according to the National Eczema Society, and helps fight inflammation.
Also, you'll want to steer clear of irritants or allergens. One study found that for some people with eczema, acute itching may be caused by environmental allergens like animals, dust, and mold. Also, researchers found that for those with eczema, taking antihistamines may not always help with these hyper-acute flare-ups (caused by environmental allergens) because the itch-signals are carried along different brain pathways.
And of course, don't forget to keep your skin hydrated by using plenty of moisturizer. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, moisturizers help improve the skin barrier.
Additional reporting by Regina Boyle Wheeler.
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