Sixteen million. That's how many Americans have dry eye disease (read: when tears don't produce enough lubrication for the eyes).

“People may experience dry eyes in air-conditioned environments or after looking at a computer screen for a few hours,” says Dr. Shahed Ghoghawala, an ophthalmologist at SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care.

While anyone can have a problem with dry eyes, it’s found predominantly in people 50+ as tear production decreases with age. For younger folks, it can happen after having Lasik surgery, or if you use certain oral contraceptives.!!

Symptoms of dry eyes

A burning or scratchy feeling in your eyes
Eye redness
Watery eyes (the body's response to the irritation of dry eyes)
Mucus in or around your eyes
Light sensitivity
Feeling like you have something in your eyes
Difficulty wearing contact lenses
Difficulty driving at night
Blurry vision
Eye fatigue

On the lookout for relief? The experts at SSM Health are here with six tear-ific tips to beat dry eyes.

Six ways to manage dry eyes

Add over-the-counter artificial tear drops (like Refresh, Systane, or TheraTears) to your routine
Place warm compresses on the eyes to help your glands produce more oil to cover the eye
Consider prescription anti-inflammatory drops
Reduce screen time
Talk to your primary care provider to rule out other reasons for dry eye
Schedule an appointment with an optometrist to discuss other treatment options as needed

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