The Connection Between Dry Eye and Your Mental Health 

Struggling with Dry Eye Disease and anxiety or depression? It’s not as uncommon as you’d think. In fact, it’s a common experience that people who suffer from Dry Eye disease will also suffer from mental health conditions. One study showed that 47% of patients with Dry Eye Disease also suffered from mental health difficulties[1] while another reported that 39-63% of dry eye sufferers also reported symptoms of anxiety.[2] If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, you’re not alone.

What is Dry Eye disease?

Dry Eye Disease is a condition that causes symptoms of irritation, inflammation, and pain in the eyes as well as watering and sensations of grit.[3] It’s caused by your eyes not producing enough tears or your tears evaporating too quickly, not providing sufficient moisture. It can even be caused by a combination of these two factors.[4]

Tears are made up of a number of layers (an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer) all of which work to protect your eyes, wash away particles, and keep them moist. That’s why sufficient tear production is important. Without it, we end up with Dry Eye Syndrome.[5]

There’s no one cause of Dry Eye Syndrome; it can be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors as well as other conditions or medication. Some common triggers of Dry Eye Disease however are thought to be age, smoking, drinking alcohol, wearing contact lenses, looking at computer screens for a long period of time, and menopause.[6]

What’s the Link Between Mental Health and Dry Eye Disease?

While there are a few mental health disorders that have a high correlation with Dry Eye Disorder, one of the most common mental health disorders that is diagnosed alongside dry eye is anxiety. Findings show that anxiety status usually influences the connection between Dry Eye Disorder and Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism in a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, anxiety lowers the threshold for the perception of pain caused by the disorder.[7]

While there seems to be some indication that anxiety can cause the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, it’s also worth noting that those suffering from Dry Eye Disease will experience chronic discomfort which can worsen the feeling of anxiety. Patients with Dry Eye Disease will often experience worse sleep, making them more susceptible to developing poor mental health, as well as a lack of interest in socialising or going outdoors (where there are many triggers such as the wind and the sun for symptoms of the disorder). This lack of engagement with social activities can also increase the likelihood of developing mood disorders like anxiety.[8]

Depression is also seen regularly in Dry Eye Disease patients. Although further research needs to be done to conclude why this is, dry eyes are often a side effect of antidepressants which are prescribed to treat conditions such as depression.[9]

How do you treat mental health difficulties?

While focusing on your well-being and encouraging mental wellness can help fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression, the best thing to do if you’re concerned about your mental health is to speak to your doctor. They can advise you on the best course of action and give you the support you need to ensure you’re able to handle the difficulties.

Treating the root of your mental health concerns can help combat symptoms of anxiety and depression, leading to an alleviation of your Dry Eye Disease, so it’s best to seek help as soon as you can.

How do you treat Dry Eye Disease?

Treating your Dry Eye Disease can lessen the stress in your life, helping to aid the symptoms of your ill mental health. The main treatment for Dry Eye Disease is eye drops/artificial tears.[10]If you’re looking for dry eye treatments that are effective and convenient, shop the range on the VISUshop website now and explore products like VisuXL Gel that can provide long-lasting relief.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent symptoms from developing. Your eyes may start to feel better when you implement lifestyle changes like:

Avoiding smoke and wind

Limiting screen time and implementing the 20:20:20 rule

Staying hydrated and drinking between eight and ten glasses of water a day

Getting a good night’s sleep[11]

While anxiety or depression and Dry Eye Disease are different conditions with different triggers and solutions, there are common factors that can improve both including better quality sleep, refraining from drinking alcohol, and improving your diet. The most important thing to do is take care of your health and take the conditions seriously to avoid them worsening and affecting your quality of life.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, check out our blog section for more advice and head to our social accounts to get involved in the conversation.

References

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Dry Eye During Pregnancy: What You Need To Know 

Struggling with Dry Eye Disease and anxiety or depression? It’s not as uncommon as you’d think. In fact, it’s a common experience that people who suffer from Dry Eye disease will also suffer from mental health conditions. One study showed that 47% of patients with Dry Eye Disease also suffered from mental health difficulties[1] while another reported that 39-63% of dry eye sufferers also reported symptoms of anxiety.[2] If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, you’re not alone.

What is Dry Eye disease?

Dry Eye Disease is a condition that causes symptoms of irritation, inflammation, and pain in the eyes as well as watering and sensations of grit.[3] It’s caused by your eyes not producing enough tears or your tears evaporating too quickly, not providing sufficient moisture. It can even be caused by a combination of these two factors.[4]

Tears are made up of a number of layers (an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer) all of which work to protect your eyes, wash away particles, and keep them moist. That’s why sufficient tear production is important. Without it, we end up with Dry Eye Syndrome.[5]

There’s no one cause of Dry Eye Syndrome; it can be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors as well as other conditions or medication. Some common triggers of Dry Eye Disease however are thought to be age, smoking, drinking alcohol, wearing contact lenses, looking at computer screens for a long period of time, and menopause.[6]

What’s the Link Between Mental Health and Dry Eye Disease?

While there are a few mental health disorders that have a high correlation with Dry Eye Disorder, one of the most common mental health disorders that is diagnosed alongside dry eye is anxiety. Findings show that anxiety status usually influences the connection between Dry Eye Disorder and Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism in a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, anxiety lowers the threshold for the perception of pain caused by the disorder.[7]

While there seems to be some indication that anxiety can cause the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, it’s also worth noting that those suffering from Dry Eye Disease will experience chronic discomfort which can worsen the feeling of anxiety. Patients with Dry Eye Disease will often experience worse sleep, making them more susceptible to developing poor mental health, as well as a lack of interest in socialising or going outdoors (where there are many triggers such as the wind and the sun for symptoms of the disorder). This lack of engagement with social activities can also increase the likelihood of developing mood disorders like anxiety.[8]

Depression is also seen regularly in Dry Eye Disease patients. Although further research needs to be done to conclude why this is, dry eyes are often a side effect of antidepressants which are prescribed to treat conditions such as depression.[9]

How do you treat mental health difficulties?

While focusing on your well-being and encouraging mental wellness can help fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression, the best thing to do if you’re concerned about your mental health is to speak to your doctor. They can advise you on the best course of action and give you the support you need to ensure you’re able to handle the difficulties.

Treating the root of your mental health concerns can help combat symptoms of anxiety and depression, leading to an alleviation of your Dry Eye Disease, so it’s best to seek help as soon as you can.

How do you treat Dry Eye Disease?

Treating your Dry Eye Disease can lessen the stress in your life, helping to aid the symptoms of your ill mental health. The main treatment for Dry Eye Disease is eye drops/artificial tears.[10]If you’re looking for dry eye treatments that are effective and convenient, shop the range on the VISUshop website now and explore products like VisuXL Gel that can provide long-lasting relief.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent symptoms from developing. Your eyes may start to feel better when you implement lifestyle changes like:

Avoiding smoke and wind

Limiting screen time and implementing the 20:20:20 rule

Staying hydrated and drinking between eight and ten glasses of water a day

Getting a good night’s sleep[11]

While anxiety or depression and Dry Eye Disease are different conditions with different triggers and solutions, there are common factors that can improve both including better quality sleep, refraining from drinking alcohol, and improving your diet. The most important thing to do is take care of your health and take the conditions seriously to avoid them worsening and affecting your quality of life.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, check out our blog section for more advice and head to our social accounts to get involved in the conversation.

References

Back to news

Eye drops and hay fever season – what’s the best choice? 

Struggling with Dry Eye Disease and anxiety or depression? It’s not as uncommon as you’d think. In fact, it’s a common experience that people who suffer from Dry Eye disease will also suffer from mental health conditions. One study showed that 47% of patients with Dry Eye Disease also suffered from mental health difficulties[1] while another reported that 39-63% of dry eye sufferers also reported symptoms of anxiety.[2] If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, you’re not alone.

What is Dry Eye disease?

Dry Eye Disease is a condition that causes symptoms of irritation, inflammation, and pain in the eyes as well as watering and sensations of grit.[3] It’s caused by your eyes not producing enough tears or your tears evaporating too quickly, not providing sufficient moisture. It can even be caused by a combination of these two factors.[4]

Tears are made up of a number of layers (an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucus layer) all of which work to protect your eyes, wash away particles, and keep them moist. That’s why sufficient tear production is important. Without it, we end up with Dry Eye Syndrome.[5]

There’s no one cause of Dry Eye Syndrome; it can be caused by environmental and lifestyle factors as well as other conditions or medication. Some common triggers of Dry Eye Disease however are thought to be age, smoking, drinking alcohol, wearing contact lenses, looking at computer screens for a long period of time, and menopause.[6]

What’s the Link Between Mental Health and Dry Eye Disease?

While there are a few mental health disorders that have a high correlation with Dry Eye Disorder, one of the most common mental health disorders that is diagnosed alongside dry eye is anxiety. Findings show that anxiety status usually influences the connection between Dry Eye Disorder and Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism in a brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Additionally, anxiety lowers the threshold for the perception of pain caused by the disorder.[7]

While there seems to be some indication that anxiety can cause the symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, it’s also worth noting that those suffering from Dry Eye Disease will experience chronic discomfort which can worsen the feeling of anxiety. Patients with Dry Eye Disease will often experience worse sleep, making them more susceptible to developing poor mental health, as well as a lack of interest in socialising or going outdoors (where there are many triggers such as the wind and the sun for symptoms of the disorder). This lack of engagement with social activities can also increase the likelihood of developing mood disorders like anxiety.[8]

Depression is also seen regularly in Dry Eye Disease patients. Although further research needs to be done to conclude why this is, dry eyes are often a side effect of antidepressants which are prescribed to treat conditions such as depression.[9]

How do you treat mental health difficulties?

While focusing on your well-being and encouraging mental wellness can help fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression, the best thing to do if you’re concerned about your mental health is to speak to your doctor. They can advise you on the best course of action and give you the support you need to ensure you’re able to handle the difficulties.

Treating the root of your mental health concerns can help combat symptoms of anxiety and depression, leading to an alleviation of your Dry Eye Disease, so it’s best to seek help as soon as you can.

How do you treat Dry Eye Disease?

Treating your Dry Eye Disease can lessen the stress in your life, helping to aid the symptoms of your ill mental health. The main treatment for Dry Eye Disease is eye drops/artificial tears.[10]If you’re looking for dry eye treatments that are effective and convenient, shop the range on the VISUshop website now and explore products like VisuXL Gel that can provide long-lasting relief.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent symptoms from developing. Your eyes may start to feel better when you implement lifestyle changes like:

Avoiding smoke and wind

Limiting screen time and implementing the 20:20:20 rule

Staying hydrated and drinking between eight and ten glasses of water a day

Getting a good night’s sleep[11]

While anxiety or depression and Dry Eye Disease are different conditions with different triggers and solutions, there are common factors that can improve both including better quality sleep, refraining from drinking alcohol, and improving your diet. The most important thing to do is take care of your health and take the conditions seriously to avoid them worsening and affecting your quality of life.

If you’re struggling with symptoms of Dry Eye Disease, check out our blog section for more advice and head to our social accounts to get involved in the conversation.

References

Back to news