Why Are My Eyes So Dry and Itchy?

Do you find your eyes feeling scratchy, dry, irritated, but can't work out why? Let me share with you the process that nutritionist-naturopaths go through as we decipher the cause of these symptoms. Keep in mind that it's all about inflammation; its choosing where the inflammation is coming from that helps you find the solution.

Inflammation is a natural response of your body to an internal or external irritant. When your immune patrol cells detect a problem, they emit chemical signals. Their action causes the walls of your blood capillaries to open up a little, allowing more immune cells into the tissue fluid to start fixing the problem. The immune signalling also irritates your nerve cells, causing pain. Blood vessels in the area swell up, causing heat and swelling. To sum up: swelling, redness and pain = inflammation happening.

Here are five possible causes of your dry and itchy eyes:

1. Is it infective conjunctivitis? This is an acute eye infection easily spread from person to person. Your eyes might feel constantly gritty, watery and red. You need to see your health practitioner ASAP if you suspect this is the cause.
2. Is it an allergic reaction? This could be the cause if your eyes get sore only at a particular time of the year, or when you're inside a particular building or car. A symptom diary can help you work out if this is the cause; and if it is, your naturopath can provide you with natural anti-allergy remedies.
3. Is it a lack of vitamin A? This is a fat soluble vitamin important for your eye health. It's available in retinyl form from animal foods like meat and eggs; and in betacarotene form from orange vegetables. This is why your parents wanted you to eat the carrots on your plate.
4. Is it an essential fatty acid imbalance? Most western diets contain an abundance of omega-6 oils, and nowhere near enough omega-3 oils. The result is a body that's pro-inflammatory in lots of different ways, including easily inflamed eye tissues. If you regularly eat more farmed meat, eggs, dairy and grains (omega-6 sources) than you eat seafood and plant oils (omega-3 sources), you may be short on omega-3 oils. Dry or cracked heels are one sign of an omega-3 deficiency.
5. Strained eye muscles. The lens of your eye changes shape to focus using lots of tiny muscles. Work them too hard, and they can become sore (just like the other muscles in your body). Check your optical prescription is up to date, and if you wear contacts, ask your optometrist to check that you haven't developed an immune reaction to your lenses.

Check in with your health practitioner if you can't work out why your eyes are feeling bad. Although eyes seem quite robust, they're delicate organs that can easily slip into chronic inflammation if you don't attend to problems with them promptly.

About this Author

Olwen Anderson is an accredited naturopath based on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Visit her web site for free health information, subscribe to her monthly Health e-News for up to date natural health information; and read more articles that can help you take control of your health. Visit http://www.olwenanderson.com.au

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