Remember the time you stared at something in utter disbelief or astonishment? Remember the time you unconsciously stared at your crush? How about the first time you saw a nude body of the opposite sex?

These instances can cause dry eyes or the condition wherein the tear system is in a state of imbalance. The eye depends on the flow of tears for constant moisture and lubrication in order to maintain vision and comfort. When the components that make up tears are botched up by some occurrence, the imbalance happens.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

In instances when tears do not adequately lubricate the eyes, a person may experience:

• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision
• Itching
• A gritty sensation
• A sandy feeling in the eyes
• A stinging, burning, or scratchy sensation
• Stringy mucus in or around the eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses
• Eye fatigue after short periods of reading
• Increased eye irritation from wind or smoke

Both eyes are often affected.

Other Causes of Dry Eyes

Besides the imbalance in the tear system as mentioned earlier, dry eyes can be caused by the dryness of the tear film. This can occur due to heat, dry air created by air conditioning, or other environmental conditions. Some of these other conditions include:

• The natural aging process, especially during the menopausal stage
• Diseases that affect the ability of the tear system to function properly, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen vascular diseases, and Sjogren's syndrome
• Side effects of using certain medications, such as birth control pills and antihistamines
• Structural problem with the eyes that prevent the proper closing of the eyelids
• Structural problem with the eyes regarding the functionality of the tear ducts

Treatment for Dry Eyes

For you to experience an effective treatment, a careful examination of the eyes and a thorough personal background check should be performed to determine which factors might be causing the dry eye symptoms. The end goal is to keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

• Manage Your Lid Problems. If you have an anatomic abnormality or an incomplete blink--eyelid conditions often associated with dry eyes--that can exacerbate the condition, you should probably resort to eye surgery. Your doctor may refer you to someone who specializes in plastic surgery of the eyelids.

If you have inflamed eyelids due to blepharitis, or the inflammation of the eyelid margins that cause redness and itching of the eyes, your doctor would probably recommend a diluted baby shampoo as a cleaning solution. He or she may also prescribe nightly treatment with antibiotic ointment or drops, or treatment with oral antibiotics as short-term solution.

• Add Artificial Tears. For a mild case of dry eyes, you can use over-the counter artificial tears. Ask your doctor which brand or type of drops would suit you best. Lubricating drops can be used as often as you want to, even several times an hour. These products provide instant relief.

You can use lubricating drops before an activity to prevent dry eyes, especially in situations you experienced before that aggravated the symptoms. Use preservative-free eye drops if you are a frequent user of the product, since this type prevents allergic or toxic reactions to preservatives. You may also use ointments to ensure lubrication, though these products can blur vision, so use them only at bedtime.

• Conserving Tears. You may consult your doctor on how to conserve your natural tears longer. There are natural methods that can prevent red eyes, such as partially or completely closing your tear ducts, which serve to drain tears away. You can use tiny silicone plugs to close the ducts. The closure can keep natural and artificial tears from being dried up.

While silicone plugs can be left in or removed, thermal cautery is a permanent option. In this procedure, your doctor numbs the area with anesthetic and applies a hot wire that diminishes the tissues of the drainage area through scarring.

The Best Treatment for Various Conditions

Treatment with artificial tears is best applied to people with mild dry eyes. Those with persistent symptoms of dry eyes would not respond well from artificial tears alone though their eyes seem normal.

A more aggressive treatment, such as silicone plugs, is best applied to severe dry eyes. If you have this condition, you may want to use a customized contact lens that rests on the white part of the eye (sclera), which creates a fluid-filled layer around over the cornea and prevents it from drying out.

It is possible that more than one variable have contributed to your red eye symptoms. Consult your doctor on how to devise a plan to address the factors that seem to cause the problem. This process would take time and patience is a must.

Some people may worry when their dry eyes do not respond to artificial tears. They may look at the condition as an autoimmune disease, such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Though many people with autoimmune diseases have dry eyes, people with dry eyes do not necessarily have autoimmune problems.

Medications

If none of the methods stated earlier worked, you can resort to medications such as cyclosporine (Restasis). It decreases inflammation on the surface of the eyes and helps increase production of healthy tears. Some may experience a burning sensation in their eyes with this type of medication. It is not advisable to use Restasis if you have an eye infection or if you have a history of viral infections on your eye. When lubricating eye drops do not seem to relieve your dry eyes, your doctor may prescribe steroid drops.

There have been talks that high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may prevent dry eyes or lower the risk of its occurrence. This belief had led some to use omega-3 dietary supplements. However, clinical institutions have not approved the effectiveness of this method.

When dealing with dry eyes, whether you resort to natural means or artificial methods, the important thing is to have a clear understanding of the situation. Research about dry eyes and be knowledgeable about your medical history. Dry eyes may not ruin your social life in an instant, but it sure can prevent you from making sexy eye contacts. Do not worry, though, sexy or not, your stares would definitely be suggestive.