The 3 Signs Your Dry Eyes Could Be a Deadly Illness – When to See Your GP

Dry eyes are common all year round, but can be worse in winter due to cold gusts of wind and warming indoor spaces.

In most cases, they can be relieved with over-the-counter treatments – artificial tears in the form of eye drops are the most common treatment for dry eyes.

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But in some cases, dry eyes can be a sign of something more serious, including a brain tumor.

Stuart Sanders, GP at London General Practice, said: “Dry eyes can be a sign of a brain tumor.”

“Unusually, pressure from a tumor behind the eye or a disruption in the blinking process can cause dry, irritated eyes.”

“However, other symptoms associated with a brain tumor would manifest earlier.”

Other symptoms of a brain tumor that can be associated with dry eyes include:

• Change in eye movements
• Constant headaches
• Change in vision and movement

Dr. Sanders said these are common symptoms associated with brain cancer.

Around 12,300 people are diagnosed with a brain tumor every year in the UK.

Dry eyes occur when the tears that lubricate the eyelids are not secreted.

Certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s disease, in which tears are not produced, can also cause dry eyes.

Dr. Sanders explained, “It is an autoimmune disease that affects other mucus-secreting surfaces of the body, such as the oral mucosa, causing dry mouth.”

Other symptoms that may occur with Sjögren’s disease include:

• Joint pain
• swollen salivary glands – especially the salivary glands behind your jaw and in front of your ear
• Rashes or dry skin
• vaginal dryness
• a persistent dry cough
• persistent fatigue.

If dry eyes are not caused by a more serious medical condition, you can treat them yourself.

Your pharmacist may prescribe a variety of artificial tears that act as lubricants.

The NHS also recommends cleaning your eyelids daily, ensuring your computer screen is just below eye level and using a humidifier to prevent the air from drying out.

You should avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as these can dry out your eyes.

But Dr. Sanders added: “It is best to see your GP if simple measures do not control the symptoms that are causing you distress.”

Tina Patel, contact lens optician at Feel Good Contacts, said: “If you experience other abnormal symptoms such as: B. Nausea – especially with sudden movements, peripheral vision problems, problems with reading, writing, spatial perception or sleepiness and/or loss of consciousness, then you should consult your family doctor immediately.”

See a GP after trying home treatments for a few weeks or if the shape of your eyelids changes.

Patel advised: “If you haven’t had an eye test recently and are suffering from dry eyes, it’s best to see an optometrist before trying home remedies.”

“If you have recently had an eye test, you can treat dry eyes at home with simple lifestyle changes, such as: B. by giving your eyes a break from excessive screen use and eating more foods rich in vitamin A, such as spinach, tomatoes, carrots and dairy products.”

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