Many people might not realize that cold viruses can also affect the eyes, leading to symptoms like dryness. This connection between a common cold and dry eyes is more frequent than generally understood, stemming from several physiological responses within the body during illness.
How Colds Contribute to Dry Eyes
Colds can contribute to dry eyes through various mechanisms, including systemic dehydration. When the body battles a viral infection, fluid loss can occur due to fever, a runny nose, or reduced fluid intake, leading to overall dehydration. This systemic dehydration directly impacts tear production, as tears are primarily water, resulting in decreased moisture on the eye’s surface.
The body’s immune response to a viral infection also plays a role. Inflammation can affect the delicate tear glands and the ocular surface, leading to a reduction in both the quantity and quality of tears produced, contributing to dry eye sensations. Sometimes, the same virus that causes a cold can also lead to viral conjunctivitis, or “pink eye,” which further inflames the eye’s surface and can cause irritation and discharge.
Many common cold medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can have drying effects on mucous membranes. Antihistamines block histamine and can also reduce tear production by affecting the lacrimal glands. Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels to reduce swelling in the nasal passages, but they can also reduce mucin production, a component crucial for tear film stability, leading to increased tear evaporation. Spending more time indoors during a cold, especially with heating systems, can lead to lower indoor humidity. This dry indoor air causes tears to evaporate more quickly from the eye’s surface, worsening dry eye symptoms.
Strategies for Relieving Dry Eyes
Addressing dry eyes during a cold involves several practical approaches to alleviate discomfort. Staying well-hydrated is important, as drinking plenty of fluids like water and clear broths helps combat systemic dehydration, which in turn supports the body’s ability to produce tears.
Using a humidifier, particularly in the bedroom, can significantly help by adding moisture to the indoor air. This increased humidity reduces the rate at which tears evaporate from the eye’s surface. Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, often called artificial tears, can offer immediate relief by supplementing natural tear production. These drops help moisten the eyes and reduce friction.
Applying warm, moist compresses to the closed eyelids can soothe irritated eyes and assist in the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of tears. This can help stabilize the tear film and slow tear evaporation. Avoiding irritants such as rubbing the eyes, exposure to smoke, or strong winds can also prevent further discomfort. Allowing adequate rest for overall recovery is beneficial, as it supports the body’s healing processes.
When to Consult a Doctor
While dry eyes during a cold are often temporary, certain symptoms warrant professional medical attention to rule out more serious conditions. If dry eye symptoms persist or worsen even after the cold resolves, or do not improve with home remedies, consult a healthcare provider.
Any severe eye pain, significant redness, increased light sensitivity, or changes in vision, such as blurriness, should prompt a medical evaluation. The presence of yellow or green discharge from the eyes could indicate a bacterial infection. A persistent sensation that something is in the eye, or a gritty feeling that does not subside, is another reason to seek advice. Individuals with a history of chronic dry eye or other underlying eye conditions should consult their doctor if cold symptoms exacerbate their existing eye issues.