Are you constantly waking up with dry eyes? There are several possible reasons behind this common eye condition:
- Dehydration - When we sleep, our bodies are getting some much-needed rest. However, without us consciously drinking water, our bodies can start to feel the effects of dehydration overnight. Since we're not actively taking in liquids, everything from our cells to our eyes can feel drier than usual by morning. Who hasn't woken up with scratchy, tired eyes? The tissues around our peepers become parched as we snooze.
- Allergies or sinus issues - and postnasal drip that occur overnight can irritate the surfaces of your eyes. This triggers extra tearing during the day to flush away all the debris, leaving your eyes parched by morning.
- Blinking less when sleeping - We blink less frequently when we sleep compared to when we're awake. Blinking spreads tears across the surface of the eyes to keep them moisturized. Since we don’t blink enough while we sleep, our tears can evaporate more quickly, leaving us with dry, irritated eyes in the morning.
- Aging - As we get older, our meibomian glands (located in the eyelids) naturally produce less healthy oils that prevent tear evaporation. Reduced gland function means tears can't form a proper protective film over our eyes while sleeping. This makes dry eye more common as a natural result of the aging process.
- Medical conditions - There are also some underlying health issues associated with chronic dry eye, like autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), thyroid problems, and rosacea. If dry eye upon waking persists, it's a good idea to discuss it with your doctor.
- Environmental exposures - If you work around computers, smoke, air conditioning, wood fire smoke or other irritants, your eyes are constantly exposed to triggers that can interfere with normal tear production over time. This takes a greater toll on the eyes during sleep.
So in summary, a combination of dehydration, low humidity, allergies/sinus issues, lack of blinking, Eye makeup residues and aging processes are often to blame for waking up feeling like something is irritating in your eyes. Be proactive by staying hydrated, using humidifiers, cleaning off makeup thoroughly and consulting your doctor if it persists.
Tired of waking up with dry eyes in the morning?
Dry Eye Clinic (Orangeville Optometric) can help! Visiting our dry eye clinic to obtain a proper diagnosis and receive effective treatment for your dry eyes, can Bring relief and change your life for the better. If you are searching for a dry eye doctor specialist near you, contact our clinic today for treatment.