You open your eyes in the morning, ready to start the day, but they feel gritty, scratchy, and uncomfortable. Waking up with dry eyes is a common experience, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. The good news is that you can take steps to find relief and start your day with more comfort.
Let’s explore some simple reasons why your eyes feel so dry in the morning and what you can do about it. Several factors, including your sleep environment and natural changes in your body, can contribute to morning dry eye. However, small adjustments and professional eye care can help manage the discomfort. We can work together to find a solution that feels right for you.
Common Reasons for Morning Dry Eye
Several factors can contribute to that dry, uncomfortable feeling when you wake up. Your daily habits, your health, and even the room you sleep in can play a part. Below are some frequent causes that might surprise you.
Your Sleep Environment and Habits
The air in your bedroom can affect your eyes overnight. A fan or air conditioner pointed toward your face can dry out your eyes as you sleep. For some people, eyelids may not close completely during sleep, a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos, which exposes the eye’s surface to air for hours.
Tear Production and Quality
Your body naturally produces fewer tears while you sleep, which can lead to dryness. Your tears have 3 layers: oil, water, and mucus, which work together to keep your eyes moist. If your Meibomian glands don’t produce enough of the oily layer, your tears can evaporate too quickly, leaving your eyes unprotected and dry.
Age and Other Health Factors
As we get older, tear production can naturally decrease, which is one reason why regular senior eye exams are so important. Certain health conditions and medications, such as antihistamines or antidepressants, can also reduce tear production and contribute to dry eye symptoms. These symptoms often feel more noticeable in the morning after a long period of reduced tear flow.
How to Know if You Have Dry Eye
Morning dryness is a key sign, but dry eye can cause a range of symptoms throughout the day. You might notice one or several of these common signs that point toward a consistent issue:
- A gritty or scratchy feeling, like sand is in your eye
- Stinging or burning sensations
- Redness and irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes, which is the body’s response to the irritation
- Blurred vision that comes and goes
These symptoms are common indicators of dry eye syndrome, which can affect your daily comfort and vision.
How to Stop Eyes From Drying Out Overnight
You can make minor adjustments to your routine and sleep space to help your eyes stay more comfortable overnight. These simple changes can make a real difference in how your eyes feel when you wake up.
Adjust Your Bedroom Environment
A humidifier can add much-needed moisture to the air, especially during dry winter months. If you use a ceiling fan, try to keep it on a low setting. It also helps to point any vents or portable fans away from your face while you sleep.
Adopt an Eye-Friendly Evening Routine
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as your whole body benefits. If you wear contact lenses, remember to take them out well before you go to sleep. It’s also helpful to reduce screen time for at least an hour before bed. Practicing the 20-20-20 rule throughout the day can also reduce how much you blink and lessen overall eye strain.
Consider Overnight Eye Lubricants
For extra relief, you can try preservative-free lubricating eye gels or ointments. They are thicker than regular eye drops and are designed to provide long-lasting moisture while you sleep. This can help protect the surface of your eyes until morning.
The Link Between Dry Eye and Headaches
If you experience headaches along with dry eye, the 2 might be connected. The strain and discomfort from dry eye can sometimes contribute to tension headaches. When your eyes are dry, they have to work harder, which can lead to fatigue and pain. This discomfort is sometimes related to eye misalignment, which can be addressed with solutions like Neurolens.
Eye Strain and Discomfort
The constant gritty feeling and irritation of dry eye can cause you to squint or strain your facial muscles without even realizing it. This ongoing tension can build up and contribute to headaches. You may feel it most around your forehead and temples.
Sensitivity to Light
Dry eye can make you more sensitive to light, a symptom also known as photophobia. For people prone to migraines, bright lights can be a trigger. The discomfort from dry eye may make that sensitivity even worse and contribute to headache frequency.
When to See Eye Doctors
If you’ve tried different home remedies and your eyes still feel dry and uncomfortable, it may be time for a professional opinion. Persistent symptoms can affect your daily life, and an eye exam can help identify the specific cause of your discomfort.
Get a Professional Assessment
A comprehensive eye exam can help check your tear quality and quantity. This is different from a basic sight test, as it involves a thorough health check of your entire eye. By getting to the root of the problem, we can find out what’s really going on. Your eye doctor can then recommend a personalized plan to help manage your symptoms effectively.
Explore Treatment Options
Beyond simple eye drops, there are many ways to manage dry eye. Depending on your specific needs, options might include prescription drops or in-office treatments designed to improve your tear quality. We can explore these possibilities together.
Find Relief from Morning Dryness
You don’t have to start your day with uncomfortable, dry eyes. If you’re tired of the morning grit and irritation, our teams at Collingwood Optometry and Cwood Eyecare are here to listen and help you find a comfortable path forward. Book an appointment with us to explore personalized solutions for your dry eye symptoms.
