Dry Eyes

Every ray of light that we see is made up of a number of different colors, each a different wavelength and frequency. Sunlight, for example, is a spectrum consisting of violet, indigo/purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red light, in that order. Red colored rays have the longest wavelength and lowest energy, whereas colors on the opposite end of the spectrum have short wavelengths and high energies.
While the anterior structures (the lens and cornea) of an average human eye have evolved to block out the most extreme end of the spectrum (UV light) and keep them from reaching the retina, they let nearly all visible blue light pass through them, which can be extremely dangerous in the long run.

Possible causes

Aging
Sjorgen syndrome – an autoimmune disease which involves multiple systems and typically affects women between 40 and 50 years
Diabetes
Thyroid disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Vitamin A deficiency
Anti-histamines, anti-hypertensives, decongestants and anti-depressants
Eyelid problems
Smoky air, windy conditions
Wearing contact lens
Rare causes include scarring of additional tear glands or foreign body production

Possible symptoms

Blurred vision
Scratchy sensation of the eyes
Redness in the eyes
Excessive tear production, to counteract the dryness
Eye fatigue
Sensitivity to light
Foreign body sensation
Difficulty in visualizing things during the night or low light conditions

Visit your doctor if these symptoms are troubling you. They might perform a comprehensive eye examination and run a few tests to figure out the cause and take appropriate actions to prevent unwanted complications.

Possible Complications

Difficulty in reading papers causing a fall in quality of life.
Abrasions (injury) to the eye.
Inflammations and infections of the eye as the tears play a vital role in protecting the eyes from germs and tiny particles of dust and sand.
Vision problems.
An ulcer in the eye.

Treatment

Supplementation of tears with tear substitutes.
Mucolytics which decrease the tear viscosity (thickness).
If eyelid problems are detected, your doctor might suggest corrective surgery.
Vitamin A supplementation.
Antibiotics to prevent infections.
Treatment of underlying condition such as Sjorgen Syndrome.

Preventive measures to fight dry eyes and its complications

A humidifier can increase the moisture content in your room during winter.
Protective eye wear to prevent evaporation of the tears.
Avoid blowing any kind of air, hot or cold, into your eyes.
If you live in high altitudes or dry arid conditions like deserts, remember to close your eyes regularly.
Take breaks while working because while we are concentrated we tend to forget to blink subconsciously.
Stop smoking.

Maintaining eye hygiene and regular eye check-ups are adequate to prevent complications of dry eyes.