The Best Things to Do for Dry, Itchy Eyes

Dry and itchy eyes can be a bothersome disorder for people of almost any age. The condition occurs when the body's naturally produced tears do not do an adequate job of hydrating the surface of the eye. This can have one of two possible causes. They body may not be producing enough tears or the tears evaporate or flow away from the eye prematurely. Fortunately, there are treatments for the disorder.

Dry Eyes Due to Tear Loss

• According to The Eye Digest, published by the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, tear-deficient dry eyes can be caused by contact lens use, dry climates, air conditioning and wind, among other causes. Symptoms include itchiness and redness. The most common treatment for this condition is the topical application of eye drops. Artificial tears are formulated to mimic the natural composition of tears.

  The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting the use of over-the-counter artificial tears to no more than four times per day if the tears contain a preservative. Artificial tears without preservatives can be used as often as needed. Eye drops that contain ingredients meant to reduce redness should not be used for the treatment of dry or itchy eyes.

  If the dry eye symptoms, including itchiness, are not alleviated by artificial tears, a doctor may suggest plugging the tear ducts. This prevents the tears from draining away from the eye. The tear ducts can be temporarily closed using silicon plugs or permanently closed by cauterizing the opening. Either procedure is performed in the doctor's clinic.

Dry Eyes Due to Low Production of Tears

• A low level of tear production, resulting in dry and itchy eyes, may occur in patients with herpes eye infection or diabetes, among other causes. It is also associated with aging and may affects as much as 30 percent of the population older than 50. If the dry eye is accompanied by a dry mouth, the doctor may want to test for Sjogren's Syndrome.

  Artificial tears are also used as a treatment for dry and itchy eyes as a result of low tear production. The same precautions and guidelines apply as when the problem is tear loss.

  Additionally, doctors may prescribe cyclosporine, marketed under the brand name Restasis, for chronic dry eye. The drug decreases swelling on the eye surface and increases the production of tears. In some cases steroids are also prescribed to reduce swelling of the eye caused by dry eyes.

  The Mayo Clinic also reports diets with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, because they seem to reduce the risk of dry and itchy eyes.