Did you wake up with tired, dry, or gritty feeling eyes again? You must be wondering why you are experiencing these symptoms. The answer is that you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome or dry eyes.

If you wake with dry eyes even after getting a good night’s sleep the previous night, it can ruin your entire day. It can make you feel unrested after you wake up. But here's good news for you - you can easily deal with this problem if you know the cause behind it. So, if you are wondering what causes dry eyes, this blog is for you. Today, we are going to learn about what dry eye syndrome is and what its causes are. Having said that, let’s get started.

What is a dry eye?

Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions that have an effect on the lubrication of your eyes. If your eyes lack moisture, it can lead to dry eyes. While most people can get relief from this condition soon, for others, it can be chronic and can last for a bit longer. There are basically two types of dry eye - aqueous deficient dry eye and evaporative dry eye. 

Aqueous deficient dry eye happens when your eyes are not able to produce enough tears to keep them moist. 

Evaporative dry eye occurs due to the lack of lipid or mucous layer in your tears. This results in your tears getting evaporated too quickly, leading your eyes to dry out. It is also the most common type of dry eyes people experience.

Now, let’s look at some of the symptoms associated with dry eyes.

Symptoms of dry eyes

There are various symptoms of dry eyes. The most common ones include -

• Burning sensation or itching in eyes
• A gritty feeling in eyes
• Red eyes
• Tired eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Abnormally watery eyes
• Mucus in or around your eyes
• Experiencing discomfort while wearing contact lenses

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor. This becomes even more important if you experience these symptoms for a long time. Let’s learn about what causes dry eyes.

Common causes of dry eyes

Cause 1. Not enough production of tears at night

One of the most common causes of dry eyes is that your eyes are not producing enough tears at night. This can lead you to wake up with dry eyes. The production of tears in your eyes can be affected by -

• Age 
• Side effects of a medication
• Complications associated with eye surgery
• Environmental conditions
• Medical conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
• Some damage to your eyelids

Cause 2. Deficiency of vitamin A in your body

We all understand the importance of getting all the nutrients our body needs to function properly. However, a lot of us suffer from deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals. This can take a toll on your overall health. So, if you have vitamin A deficiency, you may experience dry eyes. This deficiency can disrupt the production of tears in your eyes, which further causes dry eyes. So, you must add foods rich in vitamin A into your diet.

Cause 3. Using digital screens before bedtime

We all are guilty of sitting in front of digital screens too much, especially before bedtime. While we may not realize it, it can cause a lot of health issues for us, including causing dry eyes. So, you should try to blink more often and avoid using your mobile phone or laptop before bedtime.

Once you get familiar with the causes of dry eyes, it becomes easier to get relief. These were some of the most common causes that you should be familiar with.