Signs & Symptoms: Nighttime Dry Eyes

Our eyes need moisture. According to the Mayo Clinic, three layers of tear film--an oily outer later that slows evaporation, a watery middle layer that cleanses irritants and an inner layer of mucus that allows tears to spread evenly--prevent eyes from feeling dry and irritated.

Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is dryness of the white of your eye and the cornea, the membrane over the front, states the Merck Manual.

Causes

• Dry eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic, can be caused or worsened by poor tear quality, poor tear production, environmental elements, not blinking enough and medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, allergies, depression and acne. Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease, is another cause.

  Nighttime dry eyes can be caused by any of the above, as well as certain surgeries in which eyes cannot close properly while sleeping, says EyeWorld Magazine. These surgeries include blepharoplasty, an eyelid surgery, and laser corrective surgery.

Symptoms: Irritation and Discharge

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the main symptom for nighttime dry eyes is a stinging, burning or scratchy feeling. A dry climate, dust, smoke, heat or sleeping with a fan or air conditioner may worsen this symptom. Run a humidifier to alleviate irritation.

  In addition, while eyes feel dry and irritated, you may still experience tearing, or mucus in or around your eyes.

Symptoms: Fatigue and Sensitivity

• Your eyes may feel tired quickly after reading, watching television or working on the computer, says the Mayo Clinic. Your eyes also may feel more sensitive to light.

Symptoms: Blurred Vision

• Some people experience blurred vision, particularly at the end of the day or after focusing visually for a long time. As per the Merck Manual, while in severe cases of dry eye vision may be further impaired by a thickened surface of the cornea, ulcers, scars or blood vessels that have grown across the cornea, people rarely lose their vision entirely.

Treatment

• Treat a mild case with over-the-counter lubricating drops, but stay away from those that treat red eye, as this will only exacerbate dryness. If needed, your doctor may prescribe stronger lubricating drops, such as cyclosporine (Restasis), a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dry eye syndrome.

  If your problem is more severe and stems from poor eyelid control, your health care provider may refer you to an eye surgeon for corrective surgery, says the Mayo Clinic.

  To preserve natural tears, your doctor may suggest completely closing tear ducts with small silicone plugs, which can be removed later. Thermal cautery, shrinking the drainage area tissues with a hot wire, is a more permanent alternative.

  Increasing your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids or dietary supplements may lower the risk for dry eye syndrome.