Hydration for the Eyes

 

Dehydration is a condition that is caused by the loss of 

fluid from the body. It occurs when you’re losing more fluids than you're taking in, and your body doesn't have enough fluid to function properly.

Dehydration can be mild to life-threatening. Get to the ER at once if you experience: 

• Confusion
• Fainting
• Lack of urination
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Shock

It is well known that dehydration can cause dry skin and lips and can also harm the kidneys and other organs. What most people don’t know is that not drinking enough water can make the moist surfaces in your body dry out. This includes the surface of your eyes.

Dehydration causes a condition called tear hyperosmolarity, which is high levels of salt in tears.

The body’s response to a lack of hydration can be:

• Dry eye, cataracts, reflective changes, and retinal vascular disease
• Burning eyes, sensitivity to light, and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
• Certain medications can also cause dehydration.
• Dehydration can cause dark circles and sunken eyes.
• Dry, red, and irritated eyes.
• Blurred and double vision
• Eyesight is critically dependent on healthy blood flow; dehydration restricts blood flow.
• The cornea can become cloudy from too little water

Conditions that may cause the body to need more hydration:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems
• Sjogren's disease
• Addison’s disease

Dehydration can cause these problems with the eyes:

• Dark circles and sunken eyes.
• Dry, red and irritated eyes.
• Blurred and double vision.
• Eyesight is critically dependent on healthy blood flow dehydration can restrict blood flow to the eyes.
• Dry eye
• The cornea can become cloudy from too little hydration.

The body‘s other physical responses to loss of fluid includes:

• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Decreased urine output
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Sleepiness
• Lack of tear production, which leads to dry eye and eye strain.

To prevent dehydration stay hydrated:

• Drink plenty of water
• Drink a sports type of drink to help replenish electrolytes
• Reduce the intake of caffeine: alcohol, high protein, foods, and excess salt.

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