Have your eyes been feeling dry, irritated, and uncomfortable? Dry eyes are unfortunately quite common and can result from a wide variety of medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and environmental issues. Aging, hormonal changes, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, medications, meibomian gland dysfunction, low humidity, and prolonged screen time are just a few of the reasons you might be experiencing insufficient tear production or poor tear quality. One other, perhaps unexpected, reason? Your thyroid. Let’s explore the connection between dry eyes and thyroid issues.
How Your Thyroid Can Affect Your Eyes
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck that produces and secretes hormones, which regulate many of your body’s functions. Sometimes the thyroid fails to produce the correct amount of hormones, and this is known as thyroid dysfunction. Hyperthyroidism (often caused by Graves’ disease) occurs when the thyroid is overactive, and hypothyroidism (often caused by Hashimoto’s disease) occurs when the thyroid is underactive.
Both forms of thyroid dysfunction can cause dry eyes, but that’s not all — thyroid issues are actually linked to dry eyes in several ways:
- Hyperthyroidism: If you have Graves’ disease, you might develop thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as Graves’ orbitopathy. This can cause eyelid retraction, which increases tear evaporation, leading to dry eyes. In addition, your eyeballs may protrude, increasing their exposure to the air and worsening dryness.
- Hypothyroidism: If you have Hashimoto’s disease, inflammation may target your lacrimal (tear) glands, which can reduce your tear production and cause dry eyes. Hypothyroidism also slows down the body’s metabolic processes, which can further impair your lacrimal glands.
- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can impact the meibomian glands, which normally produce an oily substance that prevents the eye’s tear film from evaporating too quickly. This impact can increase tear evaporation, leading to meibomian gland dysfunction — and dry eyes.
- Medications: Some medications prescribed to treat thyroid conditions may cause dry eyes as a side effect.
Treating Dry Eyes
Dry eyes can feel gritty, sandy, itchy, heavy, tired, or sore. They may burn or sting, and you might also experience blurry vision or sensitivity to light. Why suffer in silence? Not only can dry eyes be extremely uncomfortable, but they also threaten the health of your eyes by increasing your risk of corneal abrasions, infections, and more.
If you suspect your dry eyes are related to a thyroid issue, make an appointment with your doctor. You may be referred to an endocrinologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating the endocrine glands, which secrete hormones. You will likely need to undergo blood tests, and you may be prescribed medications to manage your thyroid condition.
In addition, you should visit an eye doctor who can check the health of your eyes and offer advice regarding your eyes’ dryness and discomfort. A variety of treatments are available, including both prescription medications and at-home remedies, and your eye doctor can help you choose the best options for your specific case:
- Using prescription eye drops
- Using over-the-counter, preservative-free artificial tears
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy
- Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
- iLUX2 treatment to address meibomian gland dysfunction
- Applying a warm compress
- Practicing good eyelid hygiene
- Adding a humidifier to your home
- Reducing screen time and using the 20-20-20 rule (looking 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes)
- Drinking more water to stay hydrated
- Opting for glasses instead of contact lenses more often
Do you suffer from dry eyes? If you live in southwest Missouri, stop by Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has assisted the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an e-mail to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location).