Dry eyes occur when the eyes are unable to produce adequate or quality tears to lubricate your eye surface. They also develop when the tears evaporate quickly. The conditions affect millions of people worldwide. 

One treatment used to treat dry eyes is eye drops. They help lubricate and add moisture to the eye surface, reducing the discomfort caused by dry eyes. Understandably, most people wonder if one can use too many eye drops. 

Causes of Dry Eyes

Various factors can cause dry eyes. They include age, medical conditions, environmental factors, and some medications. Your natural aging process can affect tear production—you may start experiencing dry eyes as you grow older. 

Some medical conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis cause dry eyes. Environmental conditions like exposure to dry air, smoke, and wind can cause dry eyes. Additionally, medications like antidepressants and antihistamines can dry your eyes.

Symptoms of Dry Eyes

Dry eye symptoms can range from mild to severe. They include the following:
 

• Burning, itching, or sore eyes

• Blurred vision

• Light sensitivity

• Watery eyes

• Difficulty wearing contacts

• Increased eyestrain or fatigue

• Eye redness or swelling

How Eye Drops Work

Eyedrops help restore your natural tear film by adding moisture to your eye surface. They provide effective and quick relief for your dryness. There are different types of eye drops. Lubricating eye drops add a protective layer to your eyes. Artificial tears mimic your natural tears and their composition. It is vital to use your eye drops according to what your healthcare professional directs.

Can You Use Too Many Eye Drops for Your Dry Eyes?

There is a limit to how many eye drops you should use for your dry eye treatment—hence, you can use too many of them. The overuse can cause a condition called hyperemia. It causes your eyes to become irritated and red from using too many eye drops. As a result, your dry eye symptom can worsen, leaving you dependent on eye drops.
 

Some eye drops, like those that contain decongestants, worsen dry eye symptoms. They can do that if used very often. They reduce eye redness by constricting the blood vessels in an individual’s eye. But if you use too much of them, your blood vessels narrow even more, causing low blood flow and worse dry eye symptoms.

Alternatives to Using Too Much Eye Drops

There are various ways to reduce overusing eye drops for dry eye relief. You can use a humidifier indoors to add moisture to the air. Doing so will reduce your dry eye symptoms. Wearing a hat or sunglasses outdoors protects your eyes from environmental factors such as the sun and wind that can cause dry eyes.
 

Support your eye health by eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients to reduce dry eye symptoms by improving tear production. Doing so will also improve your eye health significantly.
 

Reduce your screen time by taking frequent breaks to reduce eye dryness and strain. You can blink regularly to spread the tear film across your eye surface for moisture and lubrication. Warm compresses help soothe irritated and dry eyes. They also stimulate tear production. 
 

Soak a cloth in warm water and place it over your covered eyes to experience relief. Finally, consult your healthcare professional if your dry eye symptoms worsen or persist. They will evaluate you extensively and come up with an effective treatment plan.
 

For more about dry eyes, visit Patel Vision Group in Roseville, California. Please call (916) 788-2960 to schedule an appointment.