4 Min
SCIENTIFIC CO-FOUNDER AT MTHK, ALEX IONIDES, OPHTHALMIC SURGEON AT MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL
What are Dry Eyes?
Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the quality of tears is poor.
Tears are essential for the eyes’ health as they lubricate and nourish the eye’s surface, protect against infections, and provide clear vision. When there is a deficiency in tear production or quality, the eyes can become dry, itchy, and irritated.
Symptoms of Dry Eyes at Night
Dry eyes can cause various symptoms at night, including:
“Tears are essential for the eyes’ health as they lubricate and nourish the eye’s surface, protect against infections, and provide clear vision”
Causes of Dry Eyes at Night
As we age, our eyes produce fewer tears and become less effective at lubricating the eyes. This can lead to dryness, itchiness, and discomfort.
As we age, our eyes produce fewer tears and become less effective at lubricating the eyes. This can lead to dryness, itchiness, and discomfort.
Exposure to dry air, wind, or air conditioning can dry out the eyes and cause irritation. Similarly, exposure to smoke, dust or other irritants can lead to dryness and discomfort.
Exposure to dry air, wind, or air conditioning can dry out the eyes and cause irritation. Similarly, exposure to smoke, dust or other irritants can lead to dryness and discomfort.
Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause dryness of the eyes as a side effect.
Certain medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, can cause dryness of the eyes as a side effect.
Several conditions can cause dry eyes at night, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Thyroid disorders, Lupus, Diabetes, Vitamin A deficiency, Rosacea, Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Bell's palsy, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, Multiple sclerosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Scleroderma, Amyloidosis, Lymphoma, Leukemia.
Several conditions can cause dry eyes at night, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, Thyroid disorders, Lupus, Diabetes, Vitamin A deficiency, Rosacea, Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Bell's palsy, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, Multiple sclerosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Sarcoidosis, Scleroderma, Amyloidosis, Lymphoma, Leukemia.
Hormonal changes during menopause, perimenopause or pregnancy can cause changes in tear production and lead to dry eyes.
Hormonal changes during menopause, perimenopause or pregnancy can cause changes in tear production and lead to dry eyes.
Contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the eyes and cause dryness, especially if worn for an extended period.
Contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the eyes and cause dryness, especially if worn for an extended period.
People staring at computer screens for long periods tend to blink less frequently, leading to dry eyes.
People staring at computer screens for long periods tend to blink less frequently, leading to dry eyes.
Certain structural abnormalities of the eyelids, such as ectropion or entropion, can cause dryness of the eyes.
Certain structural abnormalities of the eyelids, such as ectropion or entropion, can cause dryness of the eyes.
LASIK surgery can cause dryness of the eyes as a side effect. Still, the symptoms are usually temporary and resolve over time.
LASIK surgery can cause dryness of the eyes as a side effect. Still, the symptoms are usually temporary and resolve over time.
How to Prevent Dry Eyes at Night
Preventing dry eyes at night requires adopting healthy eye habits and environmental changes. Some of the strategies that can help prevent dry eyes include:
How to Prevent Dry Eyes at Night (cont.)
“Hormonal changes during menopause, perimenopause or pregnancy can cause changes in tear production and lead to dry eyes”
Why are Dry Eyes Worse at Night?
Blinking is essential for spreading tears across the surface of the eyes and keeping them moist. People blink less frequently when they sleep, leading to decreased tear production and increased dryness.
Blinking is essential for spreading tears across the surface of the eyes and keeping them moist. People blink less frequently when they sleep, leading to decreased tear production and increased dryness.
The body’s natural production of tears typically decreases at night, leading to increased dryness and discomfort.
The body’s natural production of tears typically decreases at night, leading to increased dryness and discomfort.
Sleeping with your eyes partially open can cause tears to evaporate quickly, resulting in dryness. Also, sleeping on your side or stomach can cause fluids to accumulate around the eyes and lead to increased dryness.
Sleeping with your eyes partially open can cause tears to evaporate quickly, resulting in dryness. Also, sleeping on your side or stomach can cause fluids to accumulate around the eyes and lead to increased dryness.
The air in the bedroom may be drier than in other house areas because of central heating or air conditioning. Also, ceiling fans can create a draft that can dry out the eyes.
The air in the bedroom may be drier than in other house areas because of central heating or air conditioning. Also, ceiling fans can create a draft that can dry out the eyes.
Some people may be exposed to irritants in their bedrooms, such as dust, pet dander, or allergens, which can trigger dry eye symptoms.
Some people may be exposed to irritants in their bedrooms, such as dust, pet dander, or allergens, which can trigger dry eye symptoms.
Certain medications can cause dry eyes as a side effect, and the symptoms can worsen at night.
Certain medications can cause dry eyes as a side effect, and the symptoms can worsen at night.
Wearing contact lenses or sleeping in them for extended periods can cause dry eyes.
Wearing contact lenses or sleeping in them for extended periods can cause dry eyes.
“People usually blink about 18 times a minute. But they blink 6 times a minute on digital screens, increasing the chance of developing dry eyes.”
Home Remedies for Dry Eyes at Night
Applying a warm compress to the eyes can help to loosen clogged oil glands and promote tear production.
Applying a warm compress to the eyes can help to loosen clogged oil glands and promote tear production.
Increasing your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, can help to reduce inflammation and improve tear quality. Try our Ultimate Eye Vitamins with Omega 3 & 6 oils.
Increasing your intake of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, can help to reduce inflammation and improve tear quality. Try our Ultimate Eye Vitamins with Omega 3 & 6 oils.
Over-the-counter, preservative-free artificial tears (eye sprays and drops) can help to lubricate the eyes and alleviate dryness. Some artificial tears are designed for use at night and can provide longer-lasting relief - like the MTHK Eye Drops (they have a higher viscosity than other drops).
Over-the-counter, preservative-free artificial tears (eye sprays and drops) can help to lubricate the eyes and alleviate dryness. Some artificial tears are designed for use at night and can provide longer-lasting relief - like the MTHK Eye Drops (they have a higher viscosity than other drops).
Massaging the eyelids can help to promote the secretion of natural oils that help to lubricate the eyes.
Massaging the eyelids can help to promote the secretion of natural oils that help to lubricate the eyes.
Keep fans and air conditioners pointed away from the face to prevent dryness.
Keep fans and air conditioners pointed away from the face to prevent dryness.
Treatments for Dry Eyes at Night
If home remedies do not provide relief, several treatments are available to manage dry eyes at night, including:
Treatments for Dry Eyes at Night (cont.)
“When there is a deficiency in tear production or quality, the eyes can become dry, itchy, and irritated”
Conclusion
Dry eyes at night can be frustrating and uncomfortable, but several treatments and lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms. You can manage dry eyes at home by adopting healthy eye habits, increasing omega-3 intake, and using Eye Drops and Eye Sprays.
However, if symptoms persist or worsen, seeking medical attention from an ophthalmologist or eye specialist is essential to determine the underlying cause and get appropriate treatment.
Dry Eyes at Night - Resources & References
1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). What Is Dry Eye? Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-dry-eye 2. National Eye Institute. (2021). Dry Eye. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye 3. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Dry eyes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863 4. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Causes of Dry Eye. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/dry-eye-causes 5. Gomes, J. A. P., Azar, D. T., Baudouin, C., Efron, N., Hirayama, M., Horwath-Winter, J., … Pult, H. (2013). TFOS DEWS II iatrogenic report. The Ocular Surface, 15(3), 511-538. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.004 6. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Dry Eye Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/dry-eye-treatment 7. Cleveland Clinic. (2021). How to Treat Dry Eyes at Home. 8. MedlinePlus. (2021). Dry eye syndrome. 9. American Optometric Association. (2021). Dry Eye. Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye 10. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Dry Eye Self-Care. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/dry-eye-self-care 11. National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.). How to Sleep with Dry Eyes. 12. American Optometric Association. (2021). Computer Vision Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/protecting-your-vision/computer-vision-syndrome 13. Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) Study Research Group. (2018). ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease. JAMA, 319(18), 1885–1891. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.4674 14. Sullivan, D. A., Rocha, E. M., Aragona, P., Clayton, J. A., Ding, J., Golebiowski, B., … & The TFOS DEWS II Sex, Gender, and Hormones Subcommittee. (2017). TFOS DEWS II Sex, Gender, and Hormones Report. The Ocular Surface, 15(3), 284-333. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.04.001 15. Bielory, L. (2013). Allergic conjunctivitis and the impact of allergic rhinitis. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 13(2), 16. Nichols, J. J. (2013). Contact lenses and ocular surface alterations. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 24(4), 301-307. doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e32836228d8 17. Ambrósio, R., Tervo, T., & Wilson, S. E. (2008). LASIK-associated dry eye and neurotrophic epitheliopathy: Pathophysiology and strategies for prevention and treatment. Journal of Refractive Surgery, 24(4), 396-407. 18. McMonnies, C. W. (2017). The potential role of neuropathic mechanisms in dry eye syndromes. Journal of Optometry, 10(1), 5-13. doi:10.1016/j.optom.2016.02.001 19. Alghamdi, Y. A., & Camp, A. (2016). Structural abnormalities of the cornea and lid resulting in chronic ocular surface disease. International Ophthalmology Clinics, 56(2), 67-80. doi:10.1097/IIO.0000000000000106 20. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Dry Eye Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/dry-eye-diagnosis 21. Song, P., Xia, W., & Wang, M. (2018). The prevalence and risk factors for dry eye syndrome: A meta-analysis. Cornea, 37(2), 246-251. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000001447 22. Mojon, D. S., Goldblum, D., Fleischhauer, J., Chiou, A. G., Frueh, B. E., & Hess, C. W. (2000). Eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal findings in sleep apnea syndrome. Ophthalmology, 107(2), 375-377. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(99)00046-3 23. Na, K. S., Han, K., Park, Y. G., Na, C., & Joo, C. K. (2015). Depression, stress, quality of life, and dry eye disease in Korean women: A population-based study. Cornea, 34(7), 733-738. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000000458 24. Wolffsohn, J. S., Arita, R., Chalmers, R., Djalilian, A., Dogru, M., Dumbleton, K., ... & Pult, H. (2017). TFOS DEWS II diagnostic methodology report. The Ocular Surface, 15(3), 539-574. doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.001 25. Gumus, K., & Pflugfelder, S. C. (2013). Increasing prevalence and severity of dry eye in children: A clinical observation. Eye & Contact Lens, 39(1), 79-82. doi:10.1097/ICL.0b013e31827a8e00
