Tears are very important for lubricating your eyes and washing away foreign objects. Dry eyes occur when the eye is not able to generate enough tears for lubrication. This problem increases with age but can be due to other factors such as: sun exposure, a dry environment, smoking, eye surgery, disease, and hormonal changes.
The most common symptoms of dry eyes include: blurred eyesight, redness in the eye, and light sensitivity. There are several tests which can diagnose and determine dry eye syndrome which are performed by an eye doctor.
Often artificial tears are used to treat this eye condition. It is recommended to consult your ophthalmologist to be diagnosed and treated with the best artificial tears for your particular condition.
Some helpful tips to prevent dry eyes include: avoid smoking and air conditioning, use a humidifier during the winter months, limit cold and allergy medicines if possible, and blink more often.