Itchy, red, irritated eyes can be a symptom of many things, but chronic dry eyes are a common culprit.

Dry eye is a condition that occurs when the eye cannot produce sufficient quality tears, causing burning, stinging and itching. general eye discomfortAccording to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Julie Bowen is best known for her role as Claire Dunphy in the sitcom “Modern Family” He spoke about his recent diagnosis with the condition in an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital.

A CHILD FACED WITH BLINDNESS HAD EYE SURGERY THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE: ‘A GREAT BLESSING’

The actress was on the set of her new comedy thriller, “Hysteria!”, when she found her connections drying up due to the “smoky” environment.

Julie Bowen speaks on stage during Variety’s Power of Women at Mother Wolf on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Variety via Michael Kovac/Getty Images)

During a break in filming, Bowen went to visit him ophthalmologistHe said he often experiences dry eyes, a progressive condition caused by inflammation.

“You can’t wet the upper part of your eyeball and treat inflammation, which is what I was trying to do (with eye drops),” he said.

Bowen was prescribed Xiidra, an anti-inflammatory eye drop, and used it as prescribed twice a day for about nine months.

VIRGINIA IS THE FIRST STATE TO MAKE LEAF PEISING POSSIBLE FOR COLORBLIND GUESTS IN EVERY PARK

While there’s no immediate solution, Bowen reports that over time, she’s been able to keep her contact lenses “increasingly longer.”

“I can’t feel my pupils,” he said. “One of the ophthalmologists I worked with… told me: ‘You’re not supposed to feel your pupils.’ And I said, ‘Oh, right!’ “If you can feel your pupils, something is wrong.”

Bowen was diagnosed with dry eye, a progressive condition often caused by inflammation. (JC Olivera/Getty Images; iStock)

Causes of dry eyes

D., director of Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, Texas. Dry eye can come in “all different forms,” Derek Cunningham told Fox News Digital in an interview.

Cunningham, who treats people from all over the U.S. at Dell Laser’s specialty dry eye center, called dry eye “potentially the most common disease” in North America.

“We sit in front of the computer all day without drinking water, which increases inflammation over time.”

Modern lifestylesThe doctor said that because the eye is “the area with the most friction in the human body”, it has led to an increase in cases of dry eyes, including frequent computer use.

“You blink 10,000 times a day,” he continued. “The tear film brings nutrients to your cornea.”

“So your tears aren’t just a lubricant, they’re actually the lifeline of your cornea and the front of your eye.”

IT HAS CAUSED AN INCREASE IN CHILDREN’S VISION PROBLEMS, ACCORDING TO STUDIES, 1 IN 3 CHILDREN IS NOW DISTANCE SIGHTED.

As people get older, fewer tears are produced due to hormonal changes, according to Cunningham. women are suffering Therefore, they are more exposed to dry eyes than men.

He stated that young workers working in environments where ventilation is essential, such as offices, are most at risk.

The doctor warned that changes in hormones and medications can worsen dryness as well as inflammatory problems in the body, such as joint pain or stomach problems. (iStock)

“When you look at a computer screen, your blink rate can drop to two to four times per minute; on average, it should be 20 to 40 times per minute,” he said. “We sit in front of the computer all day without drinking water, which increases inflammation over time.”

The expert noted that typing on the computer for a long time is “literally like running into your eyes.”

Symptoms to watch for

Dry eye can have different symptoms depending on gender, ethnicity and other variables, but some “tell-tale” signs are persistent dryness, fluctuating vision and general awareness of your eyes throughout the day, according to Cunningham.

CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“You shouldn’t realize your eyes are in your head,” he said. “And if you notice they’re there, it’s mostly dry eye.”

Recommended solutions

There’s no “one size fits all” product when treating dry eye, Cunningham said.

Some options include anti-inflammatory eye drops, tear duct plugs, intense pulsed light therapy (IPL), and other laser treatments.

While artificial tears can be a “revitalizing tool” prescription steroids Anti-inflammatory drops are needed to relieve inflammation, Cunningham said.

Eyes are not “injured” by looking at a computer screen for a long time, according to an expert. (iStock)

Skin is also “closely related” to dry eye due to inflammation, Cunningham said. on the skinor rosacea may have a direct correlation to the condition.

“To truly manage dry eye, we need to look more at the skin on your face,” the doctor said.

For more Health articles visit: www.foxnews.com/health

Bowen encourages everyone, especially those with dry eye symptoms, to get routine eye exams. Because the condition is progressive and will worsen over time, it’s important to “move ahead” of it, he said.

“If you don’t treat the inflammation, it’s not going to get better,” Bowen added.

Anti-inflammatory eye drops are used to prevent the immune system from “turning off tear production,” which can help with dry eye, experts say. (iStock)

making lifestyle changes Things like a well-rounded diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods and regular exercise can also help, Cunningham said.

CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“A little caffeine is good for dry eyes, but too much caffeine makes it worse,” the expert said, but drinking water doesn’t seem to have an effect.

Cunningham added: “Tackling things early and stopping the progression is key.”